Chapter 9

He furrowed his brows tightly, eyes filled with both anger and confusion, glaring at me as he snapped, “Shannon, what are you doing here with our daughter?”

He had followed us all the way here.

I had rushed into the home office with Melanie in my arms, and only emerged three hours later, visibly exhausted.

During that time, he had waited outside in silence.

Yet, for some reason, my heart felt as if an invisible hand had clutched it tightly, giving rise to a wave of inexplicable unease.

When I caught his direct, penetrating gaze, I forced a smile and tried to appear composed as I said, “It’s nothing. Our IDs expired, so I came to renew them.”

After a pause, I pretended to recall something and added casually, “Aren’t you busy today? I heard Jennifer’s looking for a job lately—she probably needs your help quite a bit right now.”

Mike’s expression sharpened instantly, his eyes turning hawk-like as he stared straight at me.

That look seemed as if it could pierce through my soul.

His face darkened like a stormy sky right before the downpour.

After a long silence, his lips curved into a cold, mocking smile, and he let out a bitter laugh. “Shannon, you really are something.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone filled with sarcasm and frustration.

“I’ve never seen a woman push her own husband away like this. Since you insist, fine—I’ll give you what you want.”

With that, he slammed the car door shut with a loud bang, the sound jolting my heart.

Then his car sped off like an arrow released from a bow, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye.

I stood there in a daze, confused and baffled.

I had meant well—wasn’t I just giving them my blessing?

Why did he get so angry instead?

Later, I learned the reason from Mike’s assistant.

The assistant looked at me with a mix of regret and sympathy, saying in a soft voice, “Ma’am, did you know Mr. Ashton always set aside the entire day today? He just wanted to spend time with you and the child.”

He sighed gently before continuing, “But now... things went south. He’s furious, drank himself into a stupor, and now he’s gone to see Jennifer and her son…”

The assistant had always thought Mike and I were a perfect match.

He had tried many times to play the mediator between us.

But now, things had gone too far.

All I could do was smile self-deprecatingly, my voice tinged with helplessness. “Thank you for telling me. But let him go.”

After all, deep down, I knew—

In just three more days, Melanie and I would leave this place of heartbreak for good.

And yet, fate seemed determined not to let me off so easily.

I never imagined that on the very day I completed Melanie’s school transfer, a nightmare would strike without warning.

While playing in the park, Melanie was suddenly and viciously pushed into the water by Oliver.

By the time we pulled her out, she had already developed an acute reaction—her little face pale as a sheet.

At that moment, I heard a deafening buzz in my head, like something had snapped.

I went completely mad, carrying Melanie in my arms as I dashed frantically to the hospital.

At the hospital, I ran around in desperation, begging the doctors to save her.

But it was then that I received a piece of devastating news.

Mike had rerouted the entire city’s medical resources—just to treat Oliver’s allergic reaction.

Staring at Melanie lying weakly on the hospital bed, barely breathing, I trembled as I dialed Mike’s number over and over again, my voice choked with sobs as I pleaded with him—begged him—to save Melanie.