Chapter 3

The moment the words left my mouth, Dan froze in his tracks.

Before he could answer, Valerie came rushing over, her face pale as milk. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she looked at me with an apologetic expression.

"Lynn, please don't be angry with Dan. He didn't have a choice.

"Theo's condition is really serious. If he doesn't get those transfusions right away, something terrible could happen.

"I know this is hard for you, but the children's health has to come first. Please try to understand—don't hold this against him, okay?"

She stood there, playing the voice of reason, like she was the one being gracious. Like I was the one making trouble.

Before I could say a word, Dan instinctively stepped in front of her, shielding her from me. He reached out and gently patted my head, his voice soft but firm.

"Come on, Lynn. Enough. Theo needs a full week of transfusions. I have to stay healthy through all of that. So the transplant will have to wait.

"You and Ruby have always been the reasonable ones. I know you'll understand..."

In that moment, my deadened heart still managed to twist with pain. I didn't say another word. I turned and walked away.

If he didn't want to see his daughter one last time—if his heart was full of someone else's child—then I had nothing left to give him.

I finished all the paperwork and confirmed the time to pick up Ruby's body from the hospital. Then I went home to pack my things.

But the moment I pushed open the door, the blood in my veins turned to ice.

There, on our bed, Dan and Valerie were locked in a tight embrace. His shirt was unbuttoned, and her hand was resting lightly on his chest.

They sprang apart at the sound of the door.

Dan's face went pale with panic. He fumbled with his shirt, then grabbed my hand.

"Babe, what are you doing home? How's Ruby today? Is she asking about me?

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just finished Theo's transfusion, and Valerie was just looking after me, that's all."

I stared at the absurd scene in front of me and felt nothing but disgust.

"Looking after you? Since when does 'looking after' involve holding each other that tight?"

Dan's face flushed with embarrassment.

Valerie stood up and reached for my hand, her voice dripping with false sincerity.

"Lynn, it's not what you think. Just let me explain..."

Something inside me snapped.

This woman had been slowly devouring my family, taking everything from me, and still had the nerve to play the victim.

I yanked my hand free—hard enough to send her stumbling backward onto the floor.

"Don't touch me!"

"Ow—that hurt!"

Valerie's face went white, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

Of course. Dan received the signal loud and clear. He rushed to her side, pulling her up and shielding her from me. His eyes were full of accusation.

"Lynn, are you done yet?! Valerie was just trying to be nice—she didn't want you to misunderstand. Do you have to be so cruel?"

Before he could go on, Valerie swayed and slumped against him.

"Dan, don't blame Lynn... It's my fault. And Theo's fault too…

"I've been so tired from taking care of Theo, and when Lynn pushed me just now... I feel so dizzy..."

He scooped her up in his arms and headed for the door.

"Valerie, hang on—I'm taking you to the hospital right now!

"Lynn, stay here and cool off. I'll be back later to explain."

Explain. What was left to explain?

I stood in the empty room, my eyes cold and dry. I turned and walked to the bedroom to pack my things. I was never coming back to this house.

I'd just dragged my suitcase to the front door when my phone buzzed.

It was Dan. His voice sounded weak, but his tone was as entitled as ever.

"Babe, I've lost too much blood from the transfusions. I'm feeling pretty anemic. You need to come take care of me.

"Theo's not feeling well either. Could you make him something good to eat and bring it over?

"Valerie's in bad shape too, so I need you to help look after Theo for me...

"I know this is a lot, but once I'm better, I promise I'll get Ruby that transplant as soon as I can."

He was still holding that over me. Still using it to make me bend.

I clutched the phone, tears falling one by one onto the screen.

My voice came out hoarse and cold. I smirked. "Forget it."

Before he could respond, I hung up.

I was taking my daughter's body home.

At the hospital, I completed the release forms and wheeled the gurney out—Ruby's body covered with a white sheet.

As I stepped outside, I ran straight into Dan, who was bringing Theo in for physical therapy.

He looked at me, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Why'd you hang up on me earlier? I kept calling. What are you pushing around? Put that aside for now—taking care of Theo is more important."

Then Theo looked at me with pure malice and threw his snack all over me.

"I hate this mean lady! She's always bothering Papa Dan! Go away, go away!"

Valerie watched me standing there, covered in crumbs, and a flicker of satisfaction passed through her eyes. Then she pulled Theo into her arms, her face full of fake remorse.

"I'm so sorry, Lynn. Dan has just been so good to Theo, that's why he calls him that... It's my fault. I haven't raised him properly. You can punish me however you want."

Before I could respond, Dan stepped in front of them both.

"Lynn, it's just a few crumbs. He's a kid—he doesn't know any better. You're not really going to make a big deal out of this, are you?"

I looked at the three of them standing there like one big, happy family, and my chest ached.

But my daughter was dead. I had no energy left for their games. I said nothing and started to walk past them.

Dan grabbed my arm, his grip tight.

"Lynn. Where are you going?"

I looked up at him.

"I'm taking Ruby to the crematorium. Do you want to come say goodbye?"

Dan froze. He nearly stumbled backward.

"What? Ruby... is dead? That's not possible!"

His lips trembled as he tried to convince himself.

"No. No way. She was fine the day I left. There's no way she's gone."

Then his face twisted with anger as something clicked.

"Lynn, this isn't funny. You can't just say things like that. Even if I've been spending time with Valerie and Theo, you don't get to curse our own daughter just to get back at me. That's going too far."

Valerie chimed in right on cue, "Lynn, I have to say—this time, you've crossed a line. I know you resent Theo and me. But to pretend your own daughter is dead just to push us away... As a mother, that's just cruel."

Dan's anger flared even hotter. He grabbed the edge of the gurney.

"Enough. You're coming back inside with me. I'll go get the transplant done right now. I've put it off too long already..."

He seemed desperate all of a sudden, and in his panic, his hand caught the sheet—yanking it clean off.

And there, in the cold light of day, was Ruby's pale, lifeless face.