Chapter 2

2

My daughter was so young. How was I supposed to tell her that this time, there was no medicine that could fix her?

I bit back my sobs and stroked her hair. "Okay, Daisy. You be a good girl. The doctor is busy right now, but as soon as he's free, I'll get you the best medicine."

Daisy nodded weakly, her forehead dripping with sweat from the sheer agony.

I felt completely useless. All I could do was watch her fade away.

"Mommy, where's Daddy? Why isn't he here? I want my Daddy."

Even though Hudson was the one who hit her, a child's love is unconditional. She still wanted him.

"Daddy... Daddy will be here soon." I pulled out my phone and tried his number one more time.

To my surprise, he actually picked up.

"What do you want?" Hudson's voice was sharp with irritation.

I looked at my pale, dying daughter and walked to the corner of the room so she wouldn't hear me cry.

"Hudson, you need to come to the hospital right now. Daisy isn't going to make it." I broke down then, covering my mouth as I slumped against the wall.

But Hudson was colder than I ever imagined.

"Stella, enough with the drama. I know you took her to the hospital. It's probably just a scratch."

"Besides, I already called the ambulance for her. If she dies over a little bump, then I guess it was just her time to go."

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to ask him how he could even call himself a father.

But I forced myself to be calm for Daisy's sake. I begged him.

"I'm not lying to you, Hudson. She's dying. She's asking for you. Please, just come. I'm begging you."

"I can't. Stop being so selfish. You know Jayden had an asthma attack. I have to stay here with Janie and take care of him."

I let out a bitter, hollow laugh. "Jayden has a mother. Your daughter is literally dying, and you're playing house with Janie?"

Hudson sighed, sounding like I was the one being difficult.

"Stella, Jayden doesn't have a dad. He needs me. He's been through enough. Can't you have a little compassion?"

Compassion? He wanted me to have compassion for Janie's son while my own daughter was slipping away on a cold metal table?

"Hudson, let me ask you one thing. Who is actually your child? Jayden or Daisy?"

"Why can't you show your own daughter an ounce of the sympathy you give that boy?"

There was a long silence on the other end. Then, he hung up.

I walked back to the table, feeling defeated. Daisy was watching me with wide, tearful eyes.

"Mommy, is Daddy not coming?"

"No, I... I'm sure he's coming." I took her hand. It was already ice-cold.

"Mommy, is Daddy mad at me? I didn't mean to follow him outside when Jayden got sick."

"I was just scared. Mommy, call him again? Please?"

"I want to tell him I'm sorry. Then he'll come see me, right?"

Every word felt like a serrated blade in my chest. My daughter had done nothing wrong, yet she was apologizing to the man who killed her.

For years, I had put up with Hudson's obsession with Janie. He spent three hundred days a year with her and her son.

Whenever I complained, he called me paranoid. He told me I had a "dirty mind" for questioning their "innocent" friendship.

I didn't want to let Daisy down. I called him again.

The moment he picked up, Daisy spoke into the phone.

"Daddy?"

Hudson paused. "Daisy? Are you okay?"

I almost laughed. He hit her with a car. How did he think she was doing?

My three-year-old didn't understand the cruelty of the world. She didn't know why her father loved another woman's son more than her.

"Daddy, I'm not okay. My tummy hurts so bad."

"Please come give me a hug. I just want a hug."

Hudson's voice turned impatient again.

"Be a good girl, Daisy. Daddy is busy."

Before she could even cry, Jayden's voice came through the phone, whining that he was hungry.

Hudson hung up immediately.

"Mommy..." Daisy's face crumpled.

I pulled her into my arms. "Don't cry, baby. Mommy is here. I'll always be here."

"Mommy, am I really Daddy's girl? Why do other daddies love their kids so much?"

"Daddy only ever hugs Jayden. He brings Jayden toys and tells him bedtime stories. He never does that for me."