Chapter 2

I knew Travis was biased, but I never imagined he had become this psychotic.

Chloe's final, heartbroken whisper kept echoing in my ears.

She had asked me why her father had abandoned her.

The rage inside me finally boiled over.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Travis's number.

I had to ask him how a father could be so cold-blooded.

One call, two calls, three calls―no answer.

On the fourth try, he finally picked up.

I didn't wait for him to speak. "Travis, how the hell could you leave Chloe there? You bit her finger! There was a shark right there! Are you even human?"

He paused for a split second before roaring back with impatience.

"I'm tired of your drama! The rescue team went in, what else do you want? I taught her how to swim, so what if she had to stall it for a second?"

"She's a five-year-old child! How is she supposed to stall a shark?! Chloe was bitten! Do you even realize that?"

I heard his breath hitch, but he quickly followed it with a cold sneer.

"Chloe is turning into a brat just like you, learning how to lie every day! I'm a professional trainer. Don't you think I know that sharks don't react to human blood like that? Bitten? Give me a break."

"Stop using our daughter to manipulate me. I have to take care of Carly right now..."

In the background, a bratty girl's voice interrupted him.

"Uncle Travis, I want an apple!"

Travis's voice instantly changed. He turned away and promised her one with a sickeningly sweet tone.

It was always Carly.

When our daughter had a high fever, he said he had to look after Carly's cold.

When our daughter was bullied at preschool, he said he had to cook for Carly.

Now, while his daughter lay in the ICU fighting for her life, he was busy being a maid for a perfectly healthy Carly.

My eyes felt like they were going to burst from the pressure.

"Travis, I'm asking you one last time. Chloe is dying. Are you really not going to come see her?"

"Do you really prefer taking care of someone else's kid that much?"

Amidst the sound of the girl's loud crying on the other end, Travis snapped back without hesitation.

"You're freaking insane! You'd actually claim your own daughter is dying just to lie to me? If she's really dead, go cremate her. Why are you calling me?"

"Seriously, you're scaring Carly. It's okay, Carly, don't cry..."

The line went dead with a series of sharp beeps.

Travis had hung up on me.

When I tried to call back, I realized he had blocked me.

A second later, the doors to the emergency room swung open.

I ignored Travis and stumbled toward the doctor, begging for news.

The doctor only looked at me with deep pity and slowly shook his head.

In that moment, every ounce of hope I had withered away.

I stood there, paralyzed.

The doctor patted my shoulder gently.

"She has a very little time left. Go say your goodbyes."

As he walked away, I heard him sigh under his breath.