Chapter 2

Aaron's face contorted with rage.

"Jessica, be honest with yourself—have I ever wronged you? We met in college. And over time, we became what everyone called the perfect couple.

"You come from a family with a history of hereditary illness. Our daughter was born with a genetic cancer, but I have never once blamed you for it.

"To save our daughter, I built this foundation. I worked three hundred days straight, sleeping maybe three hours a night, pulling together the best doctors and resources to save her—and thousands of other children just like her.

"We're one step away. Why would you do something so insane? If you really want a divorce, fine—but does it have to be today?"

His earnest, pained words brought tears to the eyes of nearly everyone in the room. Chloe and several of his female colleagues discreetly wiped their eyes, murmuring, "Mr. McKinzie has been through so much… our team pulled all-nighters for weeks…"

My stomach turned, but I met Aaron's gaze with icy resolve.

"Why wait? Today works just fine. Sign it."

Aaron finally snapped. He hurled his wine glass to the floor, where it shattered.

"Jessica! Do you have any respect for me at all?!"

Just then, there was a heavy thud. The parent representative at the front fell to his knees, right onto the broken glass. He bowed repeatedly toward Aaron.

"Mr. McKinzie, please don't be angry, don't argue because of us. We don't want to come between you and your wife. If Mrs. McKinzie won't allow the fundraiser, we'll find another way—we'll sell everything we have—just to save our children!"

Blood stained his knees, but he seemed not to feel it. Their words cut through me like a dull blade, over and over. As a mother, I understood that desperation all too well.

"Jessica, you've gone too far!"

Aaron raised his hand as if to strike me.

Before the blow could fall, a furious roar erupted from behind.

"Jessica! I never thought you could be this kind of person! What did our family do to deserve a daughter-in-law so shameless and heartless?!"

My father-in-law stormed forward, trembling with rage. My mother-in-law followed, her face tight with disapproval.

"Do you have someone else? Forcing a divorce at a time like this—you're trying to ruin my son's reputation and pin the blame on him! I won't let you destroy my son's life! You'd better explain yourself today, or don't even think about walking out of here!"

My father-in-law's voice grew louder, then suddenly he clutched his chest, gasping, his face pale. The room fell into stunned silence.

Aaron rushed to support him, then turned a furious glare on me.

"Are you happy now? Look what you've done to Dad! Even if our marriage is over, haven't my parents been good to you? They've been at the hospital with Mia all these years, running themselves ragged. And this is how you repay them?"

With his parents backing him, Aaron grew even more defiant.

"Let me make this clear, Jessica—if you sabotage this event, I will make sure the rest of your life is a living hell. I just don't get it. Why make a scene like this? Is it because I didn't buy you that 30,000 dollar bag for your birthday? I was saving every penny for our daughter's surgery! How can you not understand that? Are you really jealous of your own child?"

His twisted, ridiculous words chilled me to the bone. But the crowd, easily swayed, buzzed with contempt.

"All this over a handbag? How selfish! Her child is sick and she's worried about a bag. Typical gold-digger—completely hopeless."

"Jessica's the only one winning here. If she gets her way, her daughter will die in the hospital without the surgery, and she can run off free. How convenient for her."

"Her lover must be something else, don't you think? Otherwise, why would she force a divorce in the middle of a charity event? Can't she at least wait till the event is over?"

My eyes swept over the crowd, then returned to the divorce agreement.

"Sign this, and you can be the hero you want to be. I won't stand in your way."

Aaron's face twisted with fury.

"You monster! How can you be so heartless—willing to sacrifice your own daughter?! Don't forget—everything I've done has been for her! When I founded the 'Mia Hope Foundation,' I traveled city to city just to raise money for her treatment."

His voice grew ragged with emotion. When our daughter was first diagnosed, I had cried until I felt hollow. Aaron had held me, comforting me, whispering, "We'll find a way."

That hope was what kept me going. Later, he built the foundation, working day and night to secure the funding that had kept her alive until now.

Seeing my distant expression, a shrewd gleam flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, he lunged forward and snatched the remote from my hand.