Chapter 3

The next morning, the living room was bustling.

I walked downstairs carrying a black trash bag.

Inside were the few personal belongings I had left in this house.

"Julian, this pink dress will look gorgeous on Mia," Chloe cooed, holding a gown against Mia.

Julian sat on the sofa, his gaze tender.

My parents were grinning from ear to ear.

"Chloe is so thoughtful—unlike some people who only know how to bury their noses in books," my mother said, shooting a pointed glare at me.

I ignored them and walked toward the entrance.

"Hold on."

Julian raised an eyebrow and called after me.

"Where are you going?"

"Taking out the trash." I raised the black bag.

"Come straight back once you're done," Julian frowned.

"Chloe is hosting a banquet today to celebrate Mia's adoption. As her aunt, you need to be there."

"I have errands to run. I can't make it." I slipped into my shoes.

Julian's voice grew stern.

"Chloe kindly invited you. Do you really have to embarrass everyone?"

"It's okay, Julian. If Nora doesn't want to come, let her be." Chloe tugged at his sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I know... Nora still hates me for taking Mia..."

"What does she have to be bitter about?!" My mother jumped up, pointing a finger at my face.

"If your sister weren't infertile, would this blessing ever have landed on your lap?"

"Instead of being grateful, you wear that sullen face every damn day!"

Twenty-five years ago, Chloe and I were born minutes apart.

Because Chloe was born three minutes later and weaker, my mother gave every drop of her breast milk to her.

I survived on diluted rice porridge.

Growing up, whatever Chloe wanted, I had to give up.

Including Julian.

Years ago, when Julian went bankrupt, Chloe bought an overnight ticket and fled the country.

I worked three jobs, covered his medical bills, and stood by him until he rebuilt his empire.

When he finally reached the top, Chloe returned, weeping that she had depression.

Without a second thought, Julian welcomed her back—and now, he was handing my daughter over to her on a silver platter.

"I'm not going."

"Enjoy your lunch."

I pushed open the front door and walked out, ignoring the curses and breaking glass behind me.

I headed straight to the property registry to put my pre-marital apartment up for urgent sale.

My phone buzzed with a bank notification.

Julian had spent fifteen thousand dollars at a luxury children's boutique.

Moments later, Chloe updated her Ins story.

The photo showed her and Julian holding Mia between them in the grand ballroom of the city's most prestigious hotel.

*“Through storms and trials, our little family is finally whole. Blessed to have you.”*

Then, an unknown number flashed on my screen.

"Is this Mrs. Hayes? This is the Children's Hospital."

My heart clenched.

"Yes, speaking."

"Your daughter Mia’s follow-up lab results are in. Her previous febrile seizure triggered myocarditis. She needs immediate hospitalization and intensive treatment."

"She cannot undergo any physical exhaustion or emotional stress. We’ve been trying to reach your husband, but his line is busy."

Panic surged through me. I stood up and dialed Julian’s number.

Busy.

I dialed again and again. Still busy.

I called my parents. Both disconnected my calls immediately.

To ensure I wouldn't ruin Chloe's celebration, they had blocked every avenue of communication.

I sprinted into the street, flagged a cab, and sped toward the hotel.

The ringing in my right ear shrieked, and my vision blurred.

By the time I rushed into the ballroom, Julian was standing at the podium, delivering a heartfelt toast.

I pushed through the crowd, my eyes darting frantically across the room.

Finally, in a dark corner sofa, I spotted Mia.

Her tiny body was curled into a ball. Her face was ashen, her breathing shallow and ragged.

A few yards away, Chloe was laughing and clinking glasses with socialites, paying no attention to the child in the corner.

I bolted forward and scooped Mia into my arms.

"Mia! Mia, wake up!"

Her body was burning up, limp in my embrace.

She didn't even have the strength to cry.

"What are you doing?!" Chloe shrieked, drawing every eye in the room.

Julian leaped off the stage and grabbed me by the collar.

"Nora, haven't you caused enough trouble?! Are you not satisfied until you ruin Chloe's day?!"