Chapter 1 The Accident
1034 Words
My daughter was gone.
She died the same night my husband was celebrating another child's birthday—the son of his so-called first love. Even in her final moments, she was still worried that he would blame her for not taking care of their dog properly.
I held her lifeless body in my arms, tears streaming down my face. Meanwhile, my husband spent the day of her funeral choosing a burial site… but not for our daughter—no, for that damn dog.
*****
When I found my daughter lying in a pool of blood, my mind went blank. On instinct, I grabbed my phone and dialed Sebastian Prescott's number.
The closest hospital was owned by his company. If he could send an ambulance right away, there was still a chance to save her.
"Honey, it's Lillian—something happened to her. Where are you?"
Laughter and chatter came through the call. I could hear the sound of children playing and a woman's soft, delicate voice. Then, Sebastian's angry outburst rang through the phone.
"Juliana, today is Isabella's son's birthday. Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. Cursing a child just to get me to come home? How could you be so heartless?"
I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could, another voice took over. It was gentle, yet it sent a chill down my spine.
"Juliana, I know you're still upset about the past, but Ethan doesn't have a father. Please, just let Sebastian spend some time with him."
It was Isabella Everett. Five years ago, she was supposed to marry Sebastian, but she ran away at the last minute, and I was the one who took her place.
Three years ago, she returned with a child. Sebastian, feeling guilty that she had to raise Ethan Cole alone, went above and beyond to take care of her. So much so that even my daughter and I had been pushed aside.
Her words cut through me like a knife, and I could hear the desperation in my own voice.
"Lillian is really hurt… Isabella, please, just let Sebastian talk to me."
Her tone shifted, laced with satisfaction.
"Juliana, stop lying. Sebastian will come home after Ethan's birthday party. And by the way, thanks for taking care of the dog. If it weren't for you and your daughter, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy the party as a family."
As a family? I laughed bitterly. They were a family. What did that make me and Lillian?
Before I could say another word, Sebastian's cold voice returned.
"Juliana, just take care of the kid. Stop bothering us if it's not important."
The line went dead.
I collapsed to the floor in despair. But I didn't have time to fall apart—Lillian couldn't afford to wait any longer. I called the hospital myself. By the time the ambulance arrived, far too much time had already passed.
At the hospital, Lillian lay on the bed, pale as a sheet, her tiny body drenched in blood. Yet she didn't seem to care about her own pain. Instead, she clutched my hand, eyes full of worry.
"Mommy… will Daddy be mad at me for not taking good care of the dog?"
I swallowed my tears and gently reassured her.
"No, sweetheart. Daddy loves you the most."
Her little fingers tightened around mine, her voice weak but hopeful.
"Mommy, it hurts… I want to see Daddy."
Hearing her plea made my chest tighten. But I forced a smile and stroked her hair.
"Be strong, baby. Daddy will be here soon."
I followed her all the way to the emergency room, watching helplessly as the doctors pushed her inside. With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and called Sebastian again.
No matter what, he was still her father. He had the right to know.
I called three times. Each one was ignored.
On the fourth try, he finally picked up—only to snap at me the moment he answered.
"Juliana, it's Ethan's birthday! Isabella and I are with him. Do you have to ruin everything right now?"
His words pierced through me. He called Isabella's son "Ethan" so affectionately, but when it came to our daughter, he always said her full name, as if she was nothing more than an obligation.
Tonight, he was celebrating Ethan's birthday. Meanwhile, our daughter was dying in the ER—all because she had been trying to take care of the dog he brought home.
But I had no time to dwell on the pain. I had to make him understand.
"Sebastian, the dog dragged Lillian into the street. She got hit by a car. The doctor says it's serious. Please, just come see her."
I thought—no, I hoped—that after five years of hearing her call him "Daddy", he wouldn't be so heartless.
After all, it was Isabella's son's dog that caused this.
But his next words left me frozen in place.
"Juliana, you're disgusting. I'm just celebrating a kid's birthday, and you're making up something like this just to get me home? I'm not letting you ruin Ethan's day."
His tone was filled with disgust, and before I could say anything else, he hung up.
I refused to give up. My daughter was still waiting to see him. I dialed his number again—only to find that I had been blocked.
My hands trembled as I stared at my phone in disbelief. Lillian's small, hopeful face flashed through my mind.
What was I supposed to tell her? That her father was too busy with another child to come see her?
She adored Sebastian. Even though she was terrified of dogs, she tried her best to take care of the one he brought home.
And yet, when she needed him the most, he wasn't there.
I sat on the cold hospital bench, my tears falling silently as I stared at the glowing light above the ER.
All I could do was pray.
Please, let her be okay.
Minutes stretched into an eternity.
Finally, the light above the door flickered off. The doctor stepped out, and my heart clenched as I rushed forward.
- Writer
