Chapter 2

Thinking about it, I wanted nothing more than to slap Emma’s fake innocent face.

"I’m transferring Lila to another hospital right now for a new diagnosis! I will never sign that form!"

Seeing the anger in my eyes, Emma frowned.

"Leo, stop being unreasonable. You went home last night, but I stayed here all night without sleep. I watched the entire resuscitation process.

"I know you’re in pain, but this is reality. Can you please control your emotions?"

I let out a bitter laugh.

"You’re asking a father to control his emotions when his child’s life is hanging by a thread?

"Why did I even go home last night? Wasn’t it because your mom claimed her heart was acting up and demanded I go take care of her?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Emma’s face.

"Stop blaming my mom, stop blaming me. It’s Lila’s fate that’s unlucky.

"You agreed to sign the form earlier. Now you’re backing out. Don’t you think you’re being overly emotional?"

How could a mother be so cruel?

I could not even bother responding to her detached attitude. Right now, the only thing that mattered was transferring Lila to another hospital for a new diagnosis and treatment.

This Emma standing before me was no longer the mother who used to play barefoot in our tiny rental apartment, splashing water on the floor with Lila.

I pushed the office door open and headed toward the ICU, dialing a familiar number on my phone.

I had not spoken to my family in seven years, ever since I married Emma. They had strongly opposed our marriage, and I walked away from my family’s fortune to start fresh with her in a new city.

But now, the only people who could help me were the family that had always stood by me.

When the call connected, I did not have time to explain. I could barely get the words out.

"Mom, Dad, please save my daughter. She needs to be transferred to the best hospital in the entire state."

Without any hesitation, my parents immediately got in touch with the top medical team in the state.

After hanging up, I glanced at the clock on the wall.

There were still two hours left until the transfer team would arrive.

Just then, Emma rushed over in a panic.

"Leo, what are you doing here? Stop making a scene and come sign the form. We already agreed to this. The entire medical team is waiting."

I ignored her and kept my eyes fixed on the ICU doors.

Seeing I was not responding, Emma grew agitated.

"Stop standing there in a daze! Come on, let’s go. Don’t make the doctors wait."

I turned and looked at her.

"Lila is still lying in the ICU, and all you can think about is harvesting her organs?"

Emma’s expression faltered, and she seemed flustered.

"What are you saying? She’s our daughter. How could I be so heartless?

"But she’s brain-dead now. There’s no chance of recovery. She’s just a shell of a person!

"And organ donation is such a meaningful thing. Lila always said she wanted her life to have value when we watched those documentaries on TV together. Isn’t this fulfilling her wish?"

Hearing this, my blood boiled.

A few months ago, Emma had suggested we watch some nonprofit documentaries about organ donation together. Lila had watched them with tears in her eyes. She was so kind-hearted, even at such a young age.

But now I realized it was all part of his plan. Lila’s kindness, my trust, all of it had been manipulated by Emma.

I summoned all my strength for not slapping her.

"Get out! I’m not going anywhere! No one is touching Lila. I’m transferring her!"

Emma staggered back in shock, and shouted at me.

"You’re forcing her to stay in this world just because you can’t let go. You’re making her suffer a fate worse than death. What’s the point?

"Her muscles will waste away, she’ll develop bedsores, her whole body will start to decay while she’s still alive! Why put her through that pain instead of letting her go peacefully?"

I glared at Emma, who now felt like a stranger, knowing that beneath her self-righteous words was a carefully planned, cold-hearted scheme.