Chapter 4 Face Reality

Sophia's POV

My mind was on the verge of collapse. Molly lay pale and lifeless on a hospital bed, and even after I told him everything, Jared still chose to stay with someone else.

'Ten minutes? He has been with them long enough. Does he really need to stay?' I thought bitterly, trying to calm down.

Molly needed me, and I couldn't let her see my anger. She was eagerly waiting for Jared.

After pulling myself together, I stepped back into her room.

"Sweetheart, I'm back. Oh my God!" I nearly collapsed right there.

Molly's face was ghastly pale. Her body was twitching, and blood trickled from her mouth.

Clueless, I fumbled for the emergency call button.

"Molly? Oh my God, doctor, help!" I cried out.

Doctors rushed in, and I was pushed outside before I knew it, the door slamming in my face.

I peered inside through the tiny window, but all I could see were doctors blocking my view. I sank to the floor, clasping my hands together in desperate prayer.

"Please, God, save my little girl."

A nurse approached me, her expression somber. "Ma'am, I'm so sorry to ask, but does your daughter have any last wishes or anyone she's waiting to see?"

I could barely breathe, my hands trembling as I wiped away tears. "Yes, she wants to see her father."

Before this whole nightmare, all she'd wanted was a simple dinner with him, a chance to give him the gift she'd so carefully picked out.

A glance at the clock showed over half an hour had passed, and still, Jared hadn't come back. No matter what, he should be here for Molly.

With a fierce determination, I made my way to Mia's room. I flung the door open, but Jared was not there.

"It's you again." Charlotte frowned.

I stared at her unblinkingly. She folded her arms and looked at me with disdain. "Looking for Jared? He's at work. Said he'll be back after his shift."

Her voice dripped with false sympathy. "I know you're upset, but you can't just..."

I cut her off. "Enough!"

"Oh, I know exactly what you're thinking." She adjusted the blanket around Mia and then faced me with a smirk. "If I were you, I wouldn't go out of my way to create trouble here. Guess what Jared told me. He said he felt sorry for me and hoped you'd understand."

"Understand?" I clenched my fists, my voice shaking. "You'd better tell me where Jared is right now. Stop playing tricks."

Molly didn't deserve this.

"You just don't understand," Charlotte sneered. "In Jared's mind, you and your daughter will never come before me. If you dare hurt me, he won't forgive you. Even if your daughter is dying, she'll never be as important as Mia. Because you're unloved, your daughter is destined to be unloved too."

Her tousled golden hair framed her face, making her look both pitiful and adorable. But the words that came out of her mouth were pure venom.

She crossed her arms, looking me up and down with a pitying expression. "Let me tell you, I even told Jared that your daughter's condition wasn't serious. I lied, so what? If Jared truly loved you, he would have checked on her instead of believing me so easily. You're pathetic."

I yearned to silence her, to strike her so hard she couldn't utter another word.

But I couldn't. I wouldn't cause trouble. Molly only had me. She needed me by her side.

I suppressed my anger and glared at her. "Alright, Charlotte. Enjoy the lawsuits coming your way. All that financial help Jared's given you? That's shared marital assets. Guess how much you'll have to pay me back."

"Sophia!" she hissed.

I turned and left. Right now, I didn't have the energy to battle with her.

Molly was slipping away. I just wanted to find Jared to make her happy, but it was so hard. I searched the entire hospital, but there was no sign of him.

I kept calling him, but all I got was a busy signal. Even the text messages I sent went unread.

I watched the doctors coming in and out of the rooms, and I slammed my fist against the wall in frustration.

The pain jolted through my hand, but it was nothing compared to the agony Molly must be enduring.

I regretted everything. Celebrating his birthday, getting Molly that gift, and pretending we were still family.

I should have ended things the moment he chose his past over us. Then maybe my poor Molly wouldn't be clinging to false hope for a father who had abandoned her.

Guilt consumed me, threatening to suffocate.

"God," I whispered, "please, if you're listening, take my life instead. Save Molly."

I sank to the floor, numb and trembling. I couldn't cry anymore; my tears had almost dried up. Time blurred until finally, the door to her room opened.

I scrambled to my feet, wiping my face hastily. "Doctor, how is she?"

I hoped they would tell me, "The rescue was successful," but their somber faces said it all.

Tears streamed down my face. I stood there like a statue.

One doctor removed his mask, stepping forward.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said softly. "We did everything we could. From here on, our focus will be to keep her as comfortable as possible. You can go in and be with her."

"Thank you. I just want her last moments to be peaceful." I walked back into Molly's room, struggling to hold back my tears.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her small, frail body. She looked like a tiny doll that might shatter with just a whisper.

The moment I entered, she slowly turned her head toward me.

"Sweetheart," I murmured, taking her hand.

She gave me a faint, radiant smile, her pale face so heartbreakingly beautiful.

I blinked back the tears that blurred my vision, struggling to hold myself together.

Molly deserved a happy ending, even if it was just these final moments. I forced a smile, despite the ache in my chest.

She lifted her hand, resting it gently on my arm.

"Mom, don't cry," she whispered, blinking at me. "It doesn't hurt anymore."