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Her face was pale. Her legs were wrapped thickly.
Whenever a nurse entered, she’d tremble and cling to me.
That fear for strangers had run deep.
Noises came from the door. Peyton’s people kept delivering supplements and toys these days.
I tossed everything out.
“Tell Peyton to stop sending this junk!”
Hearing Peyton’s name, Lily hid in my arms.
“Daddy, I’m scared…”
Heartbroken, I stroked her hair.
That afternoon, Emma arrived with legal documents.
“Oliver, the divorce papers are ready. Asset division is as you requested.”
Lily saw Emma and smiled, which was a rare sight.
“Aunt Emma!”
Emma gently touched her head. “How are you feeling, Lily?”
“Better when you’re here, Aunt Emma.”
Watching them, I felt warmth.
At least someone truly loved Lily.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Peyton.
“Oliver, can we talk? I’ll give you all my shares. Just don’t divorce me…”
I hung up.
Money? She thought I wanted money?
I wanted a real wife, a real mother!
The next day, Emma brought news.
“Maya exposed Peyton’s secrets to reduce her sentence on the court.”
The records were shocking.
Tax evasion, bribery, hostile takeovers…
So this was the woman I married.
“And this.” Emma handed me a recording of Maya’s speaking.
“Peyton loves me most. She said if I acted cute, Oliver would obey.”
“And that brat Lily? Peyton didn’t care about her. Why else would she let me hurt her?”
I clenched my fists.
This was the “innocent” girl Peyton cherished.
That night, Lily spiked a fever.
I carried her to the ER, with Emma close behind.
The doctor said it was an infection complication.
I watched by her bed. My tears fell as she burned up.
Peyton suddenly appeared at the door.
She looked exhausted, hair messy, eyes bloodshot.
“Oliver, let me see Lily…”
Lily saw her and screamed in terror, gripping my arm tightly.
“Daddy! Daddy! She’s here!”
Peyton’s face went to ash. Lily’s fear was like a physical blow on her.
“Lily… Mom didn’t…”
“Get out!” I stood, pointing at the door. “Now!”
Peyton opened her mouth but left silently.
Emma brought a damp towel for Lily’s fever.
“It’s okay, Lily. Aunt Emma’s here.”
Lily gradually calmed.
Through the window, I saw Peyton standing in the rain below.
She stood motionless. Rain soaked her clothes.
I just closed the curtain.
She deserved this.
The next day, news broke about Peyton’s company.
Stocks plummeted. Partners left.
Peyton — once a business elite — was now a beggar.
I felt no joy, only deep weariness.
Once Lily stabilized, I arranged her discharge.
A nurse said someone kept vigil below.
“That woman’s been standing three days straight. Security can’t make her leave.”
Leaving the hospital, I carried Lily. Emma carried our bags.
Peyton was leaning against a tree with her eyes closed.
Her face was sallow, lips purple.
Lily asked, “Daddy, who’s that?”
“Don’t know,” I said flatly.
As the car started, I saw Peyton open her eyes in the rearview mirror.
She watched us leave, reaching out as if to grasp something.
But she could grasp nothing.
