Chapter 3

Ethan was so furious he let out a dark, mocking laugh. "Fine. Let's see how long you survive out there without me."

I knelt on the floor, clutching the ruined painting to my chest, weeping until my chest caved in.

In that moment, all I wanted was my mother's arms around me.

Ignoring the blood dripping from my hands, I dialed her number.

The second she picked up, tears streamed down my face.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, terrified she would hear my sobs and worry.

Mom stayed silent on the other end for a long moment before letting out a soft, heavy sigh.

"Sweetheart... whatever you want to do, I'll always be behind you."

"Mom is waiting for you at home."

The next day, we filed the paperwork.

Ethan noticed the bandages on my hands and opened his mouth as if to say something.

In the end, he just clamped his jaw shut and looked away with a scowl.

As soon as I walked out of the building, my phone rang.

It was the hospital.

They told me my mother had been in a horrific car accident and was barely holding on.

Terror gripped my throat. I rushed to the emergency room, grabbing the lead surgeon's arm and begging, "Please, spend whatever it takes! Just save my mom!"

The doctor looked solemn. "We'll do everything we can."

Just as the team was about to enter the operating room, Ethan blocked their way.

He was carrying Vanessa, whose face was pale.

Panic exploded in my chest. I screamed at him, "What the hell are you doing?! My mother is dying!"

Ethan pressed his lips into a tight line, looking torn for a split second.

Vanessa furrowed her brows, playing the martyr through her groans. "Ethan, my leg doesn't hurt that bad. Go save Sienna’s mom first..."

Ethan gritted his teeth and made his call. "Treat Vanessa first."

I stared at him in utter disbelief. "What did you just say?!"

"Her leg can't wait. She’s a dancer."

With a flick of his wrist, he had his bodyguards pull the surgical team toward Vanessa's room.

No matter how hard I cried and begged, the doctors didn't dare stop.

The Hayes family owned major shares in this private hospital. Nobody had the guts to defy him.

For my mom's sake, I had to swallow every ounce of pride.

I dropped to my knees right in front of him. "Ethan, please. I'm begging you. Call the doctors back to save my mom, please!"

A flicker of hesitation flashed across Ethan’s eyes, but it vanished instantly.

He looked down at me like I was dirt. "In what capacity are you begging me, Sienna? Don't forget, you're the one who wanted a divorce."

"Vanessa is my future wife. Giving her priority is my right."

"Consider this the price for lying to me!"

I collapsed onto the cold tile floor, completely broken.

All the other trauma surgeons were booked in emergency surgeries. There was nobody left to save my mother.

Guilt consumed me like poison. I shouldn't have called her yesterday.

If she hadn't driven out to see me, she would still be alive and safe.

By the time another doctor finally freed up, it was already too late.

"Family of the patient? She's asking to see you one last time."

I staggered into the ICU with tears blinding my eyes.

Mom’s face was ashen gray. When she saw me, she forced the faintest smile.

She weakly pulled off her oxygen mask and whispered.

"My baby... don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault."

"You have so much life ahead of you. Go see this beautiful world for me."

"Leave him. You deserve so much better."

Her voice was barely a breath. Every single syllable took the last bit of strength in her broken body.

I nodded frantically, sobbing, "I promise! Mom, I promise! Just stay alive, I'll do whatever you want!"

She stroked my hair with trembling fingers, her eyes filled with infinite love and worry.

And right there, amidst my desperate screams, her eyes slowly closed.

In that exact moment, my heart died with her.