A mistake...

Neria.

" Dominic, what do you consider as crossing the line?" I snapped, my voice shaking with all the build-up anger.

What was the point of inviting us to the gala if he enjoyed his first love's presence more?

Or, did he specifically bring me for comparison? to torture me? And my daughter?

" What are you talking about?" He asked, and I swear, I had never been a violent person but at that moment, I wanted to slap him so hard that my palms itched. Maybe if I did, I would perfectly fit in his description of me ..evil, villainous.

" You asking me to apologise for slapping Camille without asking for an explanation first is crossing the line for me, Dominic. " Slowly, trying to breathe through everything, I explained.

" And, you, buying that toy house, for her daughter, while yours has been waiting for the same from you, for ages, is crossing another line, Dominic!" There was unmasked disappointment in my voice as I stated.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Guilt, maybe? Well, I couldn't tell. It was gone as fast..

" You are being dramatic! You are being unreasonable, jealous. " He breathed out, his anger spilling over..

" I shouldn't have agreed to ..this! " He spat, disappointment framing his features.

" It is trouble...you are trouble. " He added, his fingers clenched into fists at his side. I swallowed a bitter lump.

Spending time with his daughter was trouble. ..buying presents for his daughter was trouble. I was exhausted.

" She is your daughter, Dominic." I found myself reminding, like it wasn't obvious enough.

" A daughter that I never wanted " He snapped, so loudly that I flinched, and involuntary tears spilled from my eyes at the denial...

" She is a mistake.."

" Something that shouldn't have happened. That night, was a mistake, and, " He paused, his red eyes burning mine .

" I should never have signed that employment contract five years ago.." He added, and before I could react, a sob tore through the air.

Lila..

She was behind us. She had been listening. She heard everything. The denial, the hatred in her fathers voice as he called her a mistake.

" Lila," Panic laced my voice as I called out, and in response, she bolted away.

I turned to face Dominic, raw hatred burning my face. I had a million and one thing to say, like how I hated him, how disappointed I was in him, how I regretted meeting him...

The list was long, and instead, I chose to run after my daughter..

He followed shortly after, seemingly after snapping from his shock, guilt...if he still had a heart.

She hadn't gone far. She was so weak from that illness, how fast could she run?

Relief washed over me when I saw her, but soon, panic coursed through me when I saw her falling.

I rushed forward, just in time to hold her from falling to the ground, but that didn't stop her from fainting.

Tears burned paths in my eyes as I held her weak and unconscious body. Dominic halted before us and his movements were rushed as he helped us to the car..

' Please, be safe, Lila.' I found myself whispering as I clutched her, so tightly as if she disappear if I loosened the grip.

'Mommy is right here with you, Lila.' I whispered, amid tears

' I will always be here...Please stay..' I whimpered, and the moment was disrupted by the ringing of the phone.

It was Dominic's. He used one hand to answer..

Camille, her name flashed on the screen.

Then soon came her sobbing voice. It was connected to the car's Bluetooth. I heard everything.

" Dominic?" She called, pausing midway just to cry.

" It's Chloe...Chloe has fainted." She whispered, and Dominic braked too quickly I knocked my head over the seat before me.

" Get out! " He ordered, and for a moment, I managed a cracked smile over my tear-streaked face.

I thought I had misheard.

His daughter was unconscious, too. She was barely holding on, chronically ill, even.

And he was telling us to get out? In the middle of nowhere?

" You are not serious, are you?" I managed a nervous laugh.

" I said get out, Neria!" This time hs was clearer, his voice backed up with fury.

" Your daughter is sick...She needs to go to the hospital..."

' Or it might be too late.' The second part was whispered, just for my ears. He wouldn't believe me if I told him, anyway. And maybe, if I didn't say it out loud, it wouldn't be real.

Dominic didn't say a word. He opened his door, and crossed over to our side, and before I could protest, he pulled me outside, together with my daughter..

My chest was tightened, more tears spilled, and I couldn't even manage a word. I just shot him a look, filled with anger, disbelief and disappointment.

" Lila has just slipped into a shock...She will be fine. " He threw around before he got back in his car and drove off.

Slipped into a shock? Would he have stayed if he learned it was far worse than just a shock?

I was left there, kneeling at the curb, holding my daughter, my body shaking so much that if I didn't get a grip, I would drop her.

My eyes darted around. The roads were painfully clear, no sign of an approaching car, and, clearly, no sign of help that Lila needed so desperately..

Then the reality sank in. If I didn't get her to the hospital in time, I could actually lose her..

No!

I placed her down, and just then, she fully slipped into unconsciousness..

My heart froze in place, desperation burned through me as I kneeled besides her, trying to perform emergency aid on her.

' ABCs of life, Neria!' I whispered, my hands shaking as I tried to position her..

A sob tore past my lips when I placed my interlocked fingers on her little chest.

It was so weak it could snap if I pushed too hard...and yet, I had to give her the chest compressions..

" One. " I called out weakly as I pressed, tears blurred my eyes, my lips trembled as I forced a two out..

Just then, a car screeched besides us and my chest hammered with hope when I lifted my head.

" Please, help.." I begged..

" Give me the child. "