Chapter 3

The next day, I brought Aria to the law firm.

Zachary went through the fake testimony word by word, teaching me how to memorize it.

Aria sat beside me, her small hands constantly fidgeting with her dress hem.

Midway through, Serena left for a bit.

When she returned, her face looked panicked.

"Zachary, my diamond brooch is missing. The one you gave me for my birthday last year..."

She searched everywhere but found nothing.

"Aria was playing outside the conference room earlier..."

Aria's small face went pale. She shook her head desperately. "I didn't take it..."

Zachary walked over and grabbed Aria roughly.

I tried to step forward, but he elbowed me back. My head hit the wall with a dull thud of pain.

"Hand it over."

"Daddy... I didn't..."

"I said hand it over!"

Aria's coat pocket was violently turned inside out.

The diamond brooch fell out.

Serena covered her mouth. "Oh my, the child not only steals but also lies!"

Zachary's entire body radiated coldness. "Lily, this is the daughter you've raised?!"

I pulled Aria behind me.

"She never left my sight. You can check the surveillance footage."

Zachary looked at the administrative supervisor.

The supervisor looked uncomfortable. "Unfortunately, the surveillance system has been under upgrade these past few days and hasn't been restored yet..."

"I didn't steal..." Aria cried out, her wheezing becoming noticeable. "It was the lady... when the lady went out earlier, she stuffed something in my pocket..."

"Aria!" Serena raised her voice. "I know you don't like me, but you can't lie like this."

She turned to Zachary. "Lily must still resent me for the car accident."

"Even the child has been taught to act this way. She probably hates me to death..."

Zachary's expression grew even darker.

"Lily, I think you've been living too comfortably. Starting today, all of Aria's treatment costs and additional expenses are suspended."

My mind exploded with a roar.

"Zachary, Aria's medication can't be stopped..."

"Why can't it be stopped?" He cut me off. "Hasn't she managed all these years?"

"She doesn't have ordinary asthma!" My voice trembled. "Her lungs are underdeveloped. Once the targeted medication is stopped..."

Serena sighed. "Lily, you're being so dramatic. The child has been fine all these years. Why would she suddenly die now?"

"I think you're just using the child as an excuse because you want to see me lose the case."

Aria's breathing began to sound like a bellows.

That was the warning before her airway was about to close.

I crouched down, frantically searching through my handbag.

Then I remembered I'd left the emergency medication on the entryway cabinet.

"Where's the medicine?!" Zachary roared.

With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone. My fingerprint slipped three times before the screen unlocked.

"I'll call 911... right now..."

The call had just connected when a hand reached over and pressed the disconnect button.

"Lily, Zachary is about to go to court. If you cause a scene with an ambulance rushing into the law firm and the media photographs it, what will they write?"

Serena took my phone and handed it to Zachary.

"Zachary, you can't be soft-hearted. She's trying to make a big scene to force you to compromise. The reputation you've built all these years can't withstand this kind of scandal."

The last trace of hesitation in Zachary's eyes completely extinguished.

He took my phone and threw it to the ground.

"Lily, do you hate me this much? Enough to destroy my career?"

"Zachary!" I screamed, my voice cracking. "Can't you see?! She can't breathe!"

Serena clicked her tongue. "If you were really worried about Aria, why didn't you bring her medicine when you left the house this morning?"

I didn't want to argue. I picked up Aria and rushed toward the exit.

Zachary blocked my way.

"Where are you going?"

"The hospital!" I turned around, my eyes bloodshot. "Are you blind?! She's dying!"

Serena stood in front of the door. "Lily, do you have to see me go to prison? How can you be so cruel?!"

Zachary's voice dropped. "You haven't finished memorizing the testimony. You're not going anywhere today."

I screamed, tears finally rolling down my face.

"Zachary, look at her face! She won't last until your trial is over!"

Aria convulsed in my arms.

He snatched Aria away and pushed me back into the chair with his other hand.

"I want you to sit here and memorize the testimony. Until you finish, neither of you is leaving."

Aria was placed on the sofa.

Her small body curled up, her face already turning a dark purple.

My heart felt like it was being sliced by knives. I fell to my knees.

"I'm begging you, take her to the hospital... I'll memorize the testimony right now, I promise word for word... I'll do whatever you want... please..."

Zachary kicked me in the shoulder with disgust.

My whole body fell backward, the back of my head hitting the corner of the conference table.

Warm liquid flowed down my neck.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Aria's eyes losing focus.

Darkness swallowed everything.