Chapter 2

1.

"The patient has lost too much blood and has multiple severe injuries," the doctor said.

The doctor took off his mask, his face filled with exhaustion and urgency.

"If Dr. Sterling were here, there might still be a chance... where is he?"

I dragged my broken body, still reeling from the loss of my child, to Aya's side.

Aya was crying, holding me with trembling arms.

We didn't know how to answer the doctor.

Should we tell him the Sterling brothers were too busy tending to a tiny finger cut on their childhood friend?

That they couldn't be bothered with their dying father?

I clutched my phone and pleaded with the doctor.

"Please, just try to stabilize him. My husband... he'll come. He has to come."

Aya kept redialing her husband's number.

The only response was the automated voicemail.

Suddenly, Aya's phone chimed with a notification.

Lyra had just posted on social media.

"It feels so good to have you both by my side when I need you most," the caption read.

The photo showed Jameson looking down tenderly, carefully wrapping a bandage around her finger.

Dixon was in the background, blowing on a spoonful of soup to cool it down for her.

"That bitch!" Aya spat.

Aya's teeth gritted as she dialed Lyra's number.

It rang once before being declined.

Anger surged through me, and I grabbed the phone. "Let's go. We're finding them."

I pounded on the door until Lyra finally opened it.

"Sienna? Why are you guys here?" she asked with a fake smile.

"Where is my husband?" I pushed past her and stormed into the room.

Jameson caught Lyra, glaring at me with pure irritation.

"What are you doing? I told you Lyra is hurt! She needs me!"

I didn't have time for his attitude. I grabbed his arm.

"Dad was in a crash! He's in surgery and the situation is critical! The doctors say only you can save him!"

He violently shoved my hand away.

"What crash? Stop making up these sick lies just to drag me home!"

"Lyra cut her finger, and you haven't even glanced at her since you walked in," he added.

"Jameson! This isn't about her! Your father is dying in the hospital!"

I looked at him in disbelief, my eyes burning with tears.

Lyra spoke up then, her voice soft and fragile.

"Jameson, don't blame her. She's only saying these cursed things because she's desperate for you..."

She sat on the sofa with her finger wrapped in gauze, looking like a victim.

Dixon stood beside her, his hand protectively on her shoulder.

"Sienna, how could you curse our dad? He's been so good to you," Dixon sneered.

Aya couldn't take it anymore. She lunged toward Lyra.

"Shut up! You little snake! This is family business!"

Dixon caught Aya's wrist and slapped her hard across the face.

"Enough! Stop acting like a psycho! Lyra was being kind. What's wrong with you?"

"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" he yelled.

Aya stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock.

I held her, trembling as I looked at Jameson.

"Jameson, I'm begging you. Let's go to the hospital. Dad is almost gone..."

I clutched his arm again, my heart breaking into a million pieces.

"For the sake of our marriage, for the sake of the father who raised you... please, go save him."

I began to sob, nearly collapsing from the physical and emotional pain.

The two brothers looked at each other, their expressions softening for a split second.

Hope flickered in my chest.

"Jameson, Dixon, please... there's no time left..."

But Lyra's weak voice cut through the air again.

"It's all my fault. I'm too weak. I always need so much care..."

"If it weren't for me, the girls wouldn't have to make up such stories to get you home."

She started to cry, her eyes red and pitiful.

Aya screamed at her. "Lyra! You've gone too far! Our father-in-law is literally dying!"

Dixon shielded Lyra, glaring at Aya. "If you say one more word about her, I'll ruin you!"

"Jameson..." I whispered, looking at him with total despair.

"Enough!" Jameson snapped, wiping Lyra's tears.

"Lyra, don't cry. It's bad for your health. It's our fault for letting you get treated this way."

The throbbing in my lower abdomen reminded me that my baby was gone.

I saw my father-in-law's kind face in my mind.

He was such a good man. He didn't deserve this.

I fell to my knees in front of Jameson, begging one last time.

But he didn't even flinch.

"I know exactly what you two are planning!" Jameson yelled.

Dixon added, "Exactly! My dad was fine at home. How could he get hit by a car?"

Aya was consumed by grief and rage. She slapped Dixon back as hard as she could.

"You heartless monsters! He did everything for you!"

Dixon raised his hand to strike her again, but I jumped in front of her.

"Touch her and see what happens!" I challenged.

Jameson began pushing us toward the door. "Get out! Both of you! You aren't welcome here!"

"Dixon! You'll burn for this!" Aya screamed as he pushed her onto the ground outside.