Chapter 2

Olivia stared at the divorce papers without saying a word, but her mind had already drifted far away.

She had loved this man for fifteen years.

Their parents had been close colleagues, and after her parents passed away, she was entrusted to Ethan’s father.

Back then, she thought her love would remain one sided forever until the day Ethan suddenly started getting closer to her.

She still remembered the day he proposed to her. The day she said yes.

The day she found out she was carrying his child and ran to him excitedly only to be dismissed coldly.

At first, Olivia thought everything was her fault until she finally realized she had never mattered to him at all.

She was only a tool he used to secure his inheritance.

A woman who warmed his bed whenever he needed her.

Olivia forced her tears back and looked at him quietly. “What am I supposed to do with this?” she asked softly.

Before Ethan could reply, they suddenly heard Lily’s weak voice. “Daddy?”

Lily’s eyes lit up happily as she tried to sit up immediately but Olivia quickly stopped her.

“No, baby. Don’t move too much.” Olivia said and Ethan glanced toward them expressionlessly.

“Sign it. I have somewhere else to be.” He snapped.

“Daddy?” Lily called again hopefully and Olivia turned toward Ethan angrily.

“Not in front of her,” she snapped in a low voice but Ethan looked completely unbothered.

“Do I look like I care?” He replied and Olivia’s grip tightened around the divorce papers.

“She misses you every day,” Olivia whispered shakily. “Can’t you at least look at her properly for once?”

“I told you I’m busy.”

“What could possibly be more important than spending time with your sick daughter?” Olivia lowered her voice carefully so Lily would not hear them arguing.

“There are many things more important than her,” Ethan replied coldly. “All she does is consume my money. Do you even know how much her treatment costs me every month?”

Olivia bit her lips hard, forcing her tears back.

“I’m already doing more than enough for both of you. Don’t get greedy.” He said and his eyes fell impatiently on the papers again.

“Sign it now. I have to leave.” He said and Olivia stared at him silently for a few seconds before finally speaking.

“Fine. I’ll sign it.” She said and Ethan’s expression eased slightly. “But before I do,” Olivia continued, “you have to spend time with Lily for one week.”

His face darkened immediately. “A whole week,” she added firmly. “No excuses. No disappearing halfway.”

“You think I don’t have work to do?”

“Then forget the divorce,” Olivia replied calmly. “I won’t sign anything unless you agree.”

Ethan looked irritated, but in the end, he had no choice, he turned toward Lily and forced out a small smile.

“Daddy will come see you tomorrow, okay? It’s late now and I have to go.” He said and Lily nodded happily.

Olivia almost laughed bitterly at how easily her daughter was satisfied.

Ethan’s phone suddenly vibrated, the moment he looked at the screen, his expression softened instantly.

Olivia’s chest burned painfully at that smile, a smile he could never show his dying daughter.

Ethan glared at Olivia before walking away without another word, as though he could not stand staying there any longer.

Olivia sat beside Lily and gently brushed her fingers through her hair.

“Mummy…” Lily called softly.

“Yes, baby?”

“If you sign those papers… will you and Daddy stop living together?” Lily asked and Olivia felt her heart shatter instantly.

Lily was only six years old, yet she understood far more than she should, she noticed things adults tried to hide.

“What are you saying?” Olivia forced a smile. “It doesn’t mean anything, okay? Don’t think too much.”

Lily stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again. “Does Daddy hate us now?” She asked and Olivia froze.

“All he does whenever he comes is make you cry,” Lily whispered sadly. “Does he hate you because I’m sick?”

Olivia immediately shook her head. “No, sweetheart. Daddy promised to come tomorrow, didn’t he? So stop thinking too much and go to sleep so tomorrow can come faster.”

Lily nodded slowly before closing her eyes again. Olivia stared quietly at her daughter’s pale face and let out a tired sigh.

She was done begging for love from the wrong man. if divorcing Ethan would allow Lily to feel even a little fatherly love before it was too late…Then she would do it.

NEXT DAY

Olivia had just finished helping Lily clean up when Ethan finally walked into the ward.

Honestly, she had thought he would break his promise.

“Daddy!” Lily called excitedly the moment she saw him.

Ethan walked toward the bed slowly and awkwardly patted her hair before immediately withdrawing his hand as though even touching her made him uncomfortable.

Olivia noticed it clearly but chose to ignore it. Right now, nothing mattered more than Lily’s happiness.

Lily happily showed Ethan the drawings she made while talking endlessly but Ethan barely paid attention.

He kept checking his phone repeatedly like there was somewhere else he would rather be..Like spending time with his daughter was a burden.

“Daddy, look!” Lily said excitedly, showing him another drawing but Ethan brushed her off carelessly without even looking properly.

Olivia nearly exploded in anger but still, she endured it for Lily’s sake.

Lily glanced at Olivia uncertainly but Olivia only smiled softly at her.

Ethan’s phone suddenly rang and Olivia’s eyes immediately fell on the screen.

Vanessa. Of course it was Vanessa.

Ethan answered immediately, brushing Lily’s small hand aside in the process like it meant nothing.

“What?” His expression changed instantly. “How did you get hurt?” He stood up immediately. “Okay. I’m coming now.”

He started walking toward the door but Olivia quickly blocked his path.

“You’re not leaving,” she said firmly. “You promised me.” Behind her, Lily stared at Ethan anxiously.

“Daddy… don’t leave me.”

“Vanessa got hurt,” Ethan snapped impatiently.

“Then call an ambulance for her!” Olivia finally yelled. “Your daughter needs you right now!”

Lily’s eyes slowly filled with tears as she watched her parents arguing.

“Get out of my way.” Ethan shoved Olivia aside and walked out without hesitation.

Olivia quickly ran after him but by the time she reached the hallway, he was already gone.

She stood there frozen, struggling to hold back her tears.

Just as she was about to return to the ward, she suddenly bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered absentmindedly before looking up and her eyes widened. Vanessa.

Olivia’s expression darkened instantly. “You…” She couldn't find the right word to use and Vanessa smiled smugly.

“Sorry, Olivia,” she said softly. “He’s already spending too much time here. I needed him back.”

Olivia’s face turned red with anger. “You think you’ve won because you have him wrapped around your fingers?” Olivia said coldly. “One day, you’ll regret this.”

Vanessa laughed lightly. “Are you really in the position to threaten me?” she mocked. “Instead of worrying about Ethan, maybe you should figure out how your daughter is going to survive first.”

Olivia’s breathing turned uneven as Vanessa walked away smugly before she could say another word.

She swallowed her emotions immediately before returning to Lily’s ward.

But the moment she entered, her heart dropped.

Lily was crying uncontrollably and with her weak heart, she was never supposed to cry.

“Baby, don’t cry… please don’t cry,” Olivia begged desperately as she rushed toward her but Lily kept sobbing helplessly.

Suddenly, Lily’s small body stiffened violently, then blood spilled from her lips.

Olivia’s mind went blank instantly. “Doctor!” she screamed in panic. “Doctor!”

The medical team rushed into the room immediately while the machines began beeping loudly.

“Her oxygen level is dropping!”

“Hurry!”

Doctors quickly pushed Olivia away as they surrounded Lily’s bed.

Through the chaos, Lily weakly stretched her trembling hand toward her mother.

“Mummy…” Olivia burst into tears trying to reach her daughter.

Then the doctor suddenly shouted. “Prepare the emergency operating room now or we’ll lose her!”