Chapter 1

By the time I got the hospital bill, my son Charlie Hunt's body had already gone cold. The total was 500,000 dollars, covering emergency treatment, surgery, and the medical bills we'd accumulated over the years.

The nurse told me to pay the bills as soon as possible and sign the form to release Charlie's body.

I stared at the papers for so long that the numbers gradually blurred. That was when I realized I was crying again.

I called Sebastian Boyd, only to find that he'd blocked me. His assistant, Henry Dane, called me back, though, his voice maintaining its usual politeness.

"Mrs. Boyd, Mr. Boyd is busy."

"I only want 500,000 dollars," I said hoarsely. "Tell him that Charlie is dead. I need to handle his funeral arrangements."

Henry fell silent for a few seconds, then he said, "Mrs. Boyd, Mr. Boyd said he won't fall for your scheme again."

I gripped my phone tightly.

I did actually lie to Sebastian three years ago. At that time, Charlie had just undergone his first heart surgery. I'd been by his side, caring for him for a whole month, but Sebastian never showed up, not once.

I couldn't stand being confined to Boyd Manor or Charlie asking me why his father didn't like him, so I lied to Sebastian, saying I was going to bring our son to the hospital for a follow-up appointment.

The truth was, I'd already bought two train tickets to the south. I wanted to find a city where nobody knew us so we could start over.

But ten minutes before the train departed, Sebastian surrounded the platform with his men, tore the tickets to shreds in front of Charlie, and dragged me home.

I was locked up for a whole month, and my phone, ID documents, and bank cards were all confiscated.

Sebastian stood outside the door, his voice tinged with a cold warning. "If you dare run away with my son again, I'll ensure you never step out of this house."

Just because I lied that time, he no longer believed a word I said.

Henry's words pulled me back to reality. "Mr. Boyd also said not to lie to him about his son's death. Otherwise, he'd really get angry."

I lowered my head and looked at the small bed covered with a white sheet. Charlie lay there quietly, still wearing the blue wristband from his hospital stay.

He was always afraid of the cold. Now, even when I draped my jacket over him, he wouldn't snuggle into my arms anymore.

"I'm not hiding him. He's at the hospital."

Henry sighed. "Mrs. Boyd, you said the same thing three years ago. Mr. Boyd said he wouldn't give you a single cent unless you bring Mr. Charlie to him in person."

I didn't bother explaining further.

The nurse brought me a body transfer form and asked me to fill in the parents' information. I paused for a long time at the father's name before finally writing down Sebastian's name.

Charlie had hoped Sebastian would come until his last breath. I couldn't deny my son his father.

But after signing the form, I realized my bank card had been frozen. The screen showed that my available balance was zero.

Sebastian had even cut off the last 500 dollars I had to live on.

The hospital hallway was eerily quiet. I pushed myself up against the wall, and my vision briefly went black.

The nurse quickly supported me. "You're still feverish. You need an IV."

"No."

"You're going to collapse."

I looked at Charlie. "He's still here. I have to leave with him first."

I picked up my phone and called Henry again. "Where's Sebastian?"

"The film studio." Henry hesitated before adding, "Mr. Boyd is there with Ms. York while she films a movie. He also ordered everyone not to bother him with anything concerning you two."

I hung up and tucked the jacket around Charlie's shoulders. "Wait for me to come back. This time, I'll leave with you."