Chapter 2

2.

My consciousness drifted.

When I came to, I realized I had become a ghost, an invisible soul floating outside the operating room.

My poor Mia was stumbling down the long, sterile corridor.

"Mia..." I reached out, but no sound came from my lips.

I watched, helpless, as she ran to the nurses' station, begging for help.

"Please, ma'am! You have to help! My mommy is bleeding so much! She's going to die!"

The nurse at the desk frowned and glanced around nervously before whispering.

"This is Director Sterling's direct order. None of us are allowed to interfere."

Mia froze, her eyes wide as tears continued to stream down her face.

"Then... who will help me?"

No one answered. She gritted her teeth and started running again.

Finally, a young nurse grabbed her arm as she passed by.

"Go to the supply closet in the back. Look for gauze. Just don't let anyone see you..."

"Thank you! Thank you!" Mia choked out a sob and sprinted toward the back.

I followed her, watching as she pushed aside heavy crates to find bandages and tourniquets.

Her own arm was still bleeding, staining the white gauze, but she didn't care.

She just hugged the supplies to her chest as tightly as she could.

"Mia, it's okay... Mommy's okay..."

I whispered to her, knowing my words would never reach her ears.

Clutching the pile of medical supplies, she raced back toward the operating room.

Just as she reached the door, Melanie Rivers appeared at the end of the hall.

"Where do you think you're going, you little brat?"

The clicking of Melanie's high heels sounded like a death knell in the quiet hallway.

She crossed her arms and walked toward Mia with a cold, predatory gaze.

"Are you stealing?"

"I'm not stealing!" Mia hugged the gauze tighter.

"These are for Mommy!"

"For Elena?" Melanie let out a sharp, cruel laugh.

"Everything in this hospital belongs to Caleb, which means it belongs to me. Now, hand it over!"

Mia shook her head violently, backing away.

"No! This is to stop the bleeding! You can't have it!"

Melanie's face twisted into an ugly snarl.

She stepped forward, grabbed Mia's wrist, and ripped the gauze from her arms, throwing it onto the floor.

"You're just a little trash bag, just like your mother!"

"Don't talk about my mommy like that!"

Mia was hysterical, trying to pick up the supplies, but Melanie kicked them away.

Then, Melanie raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap that sent Mia sprawling to the ground.

Mia crawled back up, her eyes red and filled with fury.

"Don't hurt my mommy..."

"Please... give me the gauze... she's really going to die..."

Melanie looked down at her with pure contempt.

"I don't care if she lives or dies. It's none of my business."

"In fact, after today, both of you are going to be kicked out of this house and this city!"

Watching this, my soul felt like it was being shredded.

Hatred and agony boiled in my chest.

I lunged forward, trying to shove Melanie away.

But my hands passed right through her body, and I could only watch my daughter cry in despair.

"Mia..." I whispered. "I'm so sorry..."