Chapter 2

Hearing this, the apologetic look on Ethan's face instantly vanished.

He stood up and pointed at our daughter, questioning me with righteous indignation.

"Charlotte Bennett, is this how you've been raising our child?"

I calmly pulled our daughter behind me.

"What's wrong with it? If she can't get love, at least she gets money. Better than me—it took a divorce for me to learn that lesson."

Ethan was instantly speechless.

The phone rang again.

Melissa's son's voice came through.

"Uncle Ethan, hurry up! You promised to ride the Tiger Coaster with me a hundred times!"

My daughter gripped my clothes tightly.

Noticing her gesture, Ethan, for once, didn't immediately agree.

He reached out, wanting to pat our daughter's head.

"Be good. Today you go to the hospital with Mom first."

"After you get better, Dad will take you to the amusement park, okay?"

Our daughter dodged his hand, blinking her big eyes as she repeated, "It's okay, Dad. Just send me the money."

Ethan's expression completely darkened.

Before leaving, he threw out angrily, "Charlotte, you and your daughter can keep this up all you want!"

"Absolutely ridiculous!"

The front door slammed shut heavily, and my heart shook along with it.

My daughter tugged at my arm, holding up her phone watch to show me.

"Mom, Dad sent over so many zeros."

"Is this enough money for my surgery?"

Looking at my daughter's face, I held back my sobs and hugged her tightly.

"Yes. After your surgery, Mom will take you away from here."

While waiting for my daughter's examination, several push notifications popped up on my phone.

Paparazzi had secretly photographed Ethan and Melissa with her son at an amusement park.

The caption read: "Mr. Sterling spotted with new flame at amusement park—young child already calling him Dad!"

I enlarged the photo, looking at Ethan's relaxed, carefree smile.

I couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled like that in front of me and our daughter.

My hand trembled as I exited. When I refreshed, the post showed as deleted.

The next second, Ethan's call came through.

"Charlotte, don't be upset. That's just unscrupulous media making things up."

"I already paid to have all those articles taken down."

I paused, then realized he was talking about Oliver calling him Dad.

"I'm not upset. Kids say things without thinking."

"Since I've already rented you out to them, you should spend quality time with them."

Without waiting for his response, I hung up decisively.

My daughter's test results came back. The doctor said her condition was well-controlled.

Next month they could schedule the heart bypass surgery.

My whole body went weak, and I nearly collapsed to my knees.

When we divorced, Ethan had found the best lawyer to forcibly rule that I leave with nothing, just to teach me a lesson about Melissa and her son.

The very next day, my daughter was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and was at constant risk of sudden cardiac death.

Because of Ethan's influence, not a single company dared hire me.

Not a single relative or friend was willing to lend me money.

Watching my daughter's condition deteriorate day by day, I finally bowed my head to Ethan.

And now, finally, my daughter was out of danger.

After confirming the surgery date, I also submitted applications to an agency for visas for me and my daughter.

A message from Ethan popped up.

"When are you coming home? I made your favorite dishes."

I didn't reply.

An hour later, I pushed open the front door.

Ethan was serving food to Melissa and her son.