Chapter 2

Hearing my words, Lily froze for a second. She seemed to realize, in her childish way, that I had said something incredibly serious.

Just as she made a move to run back to me, Clara Montgomery pulled her into a tight hug.

"Really?" Clara smiled, looking down at her. "I would love to be your mommy, Lily."

"But a girl can only have one mommy. Since you chose me, you can't call your old mom 'Mommy' anymore. Have you made up your mind?"

Lily’s gaze darted back and forth between Clara and me.

Finally, she made her choice.

She turned around and hugged Clara’s leg tightly, her voice sweet and cooing.

"I like you, Clara. Please be my mommy, okay?"

"The bad woman won't be able to stop us from seeing each other anymore. I want to eat lots of candy, and I want to wear those expensive princess dresses. Mommy, will you take me to Disney World? I want to go every single day!"

Clara shot me a triumphant, smug look.

She bent down, stroking Lily’s hair.

"Of course, sweetie. Mommy has plenty of money. You can have whatever you want."

Lily cheered, wrapping her arms around Clara’s neck and planting a sweet kiss on her cheek.

From beginning to end, she never looked back at me, still sitting on the cold floor.

I didn't say another word.

Enduring the sharp, throbbing pain in my ankle, I forced myself to stand up.

I took one last look at Lily.

Then, limping, I walked out of the room.

Seeing my completely broken state, Ethan ran out after me.

He caught my arm and chuckled softly.

"Are you really that upset?"

"She's just a kid. Is this necessary? Lily will have everything she ever wanted with Clara. She’ll live a much better life."

"If it bothers you that much, we can always just make another baby later."

Hearing this, my blood boiled.

I violently wrenched my arm out of his grip, raised my hand, and slapped him hard across the face.

My voice cracked, tears finally spilling over.

"I carried Lily for ten whole months, Ethan! I endured severe morning sickness, swelling, and sleepless nights. To keep her safe, I took over a hundred hormone shots. My arms and stomach were covered in bruises and needle marks!"

"When I gave birth, I had a massive hemorrhage. The doctors asked you to choose between saving me or the baby. I fought with my life to bring her into this world!"

"Ethan, did you and your mother want a child so badly just so you could discard me like trash?"

Ethan was caught off guard by the slap.

He rubbed his jaw, looking annoyed, completely unable to understand my pain.

"I did this for your own good, Naomi."

"You’re just the adopted daughter of the Montgomerys. Your status has always been awkward. I took a massive amount of pressure from my family just to marry you. This is perfect. Lily recognizes Clara as her mother. The Vances are happy, the Montgomerys are happy."

"Every problem is solved. Why are you still throwing a tantrum?"

A tantrum?

His casual words were driving me insane.

"She is my daughter!" I screamed at him, my voice hoarse.

"For the past five years, every time you had a free moment, you took her to Clara. You let her call you Dad and Clara Mom. Then what am I? A free nanny? A free surrogate?!"

Ethan grew impatient.

He frowned, looking at me with irritation.

"Then what do you want now?"

"Lily is staying with Clara. If you can accept it, stay. If you can't..."

"Let’s get a divorce," I said quietly, cutting him off.

Ethan froze.

He snapped his head up, staring at me in utter shock.

I looked right back into his eyes, making sure he heard every syllable.

"Ethan, let’s get a divorce."