Chapter 6

From inside the room, Sarah's voice came through clearly, "I'd love to be your mom, but your dad hasn't married me yet, so I'm not your mom right now."

Jack immediately shouted, "That's easy! I'll make Dad divorce that evil woman, then he can marry you! Then you can be my new mom!"

I paused mid-step, almost laughing from anger.

Jack, this foolish child. He had no idea that Sarah had abandoned him years ago without a second thought, all for her own career and freedom.

If I hadn't taken him in and done everything I could to care for this dying premature baby, he would have quietly passed away long ago.

Now, she's back, all glamorous, and with just a few casual words, she's won the child's heart again. And she's trying to replace me as Mrs. Smith.

What a scheme!

She kept her career intact, held onto George's heart, and even the son she once abandoned has become her weapon to attack me after her return.

I pushed down the cold absurdity rising in my chest. Just as I was about to leave, a familiar mocking male voice came from behind me.

"Standing at the door, eavesdropping. Is this your idea of class and manners now?"

George had appeared at the other end of the hallway at some point, wearing a perfectly tailored dark suit that made him look even more imposing.

"Here to see Jack? If you're so concerned, why did you act so heartless on the phone earlier?"

He walked closer, his usual intimidating manner looking down at me. "He bled so much, and you really had the heart to be that cold."

"Cold-hearted?" I repeated the words softly, my voice so calm it surprised even me. "George, Jack is your son, the child Sarah carried for ten months and gave birth to. I took care of him for five years - I've done more than enough. Now that both his biological parents are here, what right do I have as an outsider, and why would I need to care whether I'm being cold-hearted to someone who isn't my son?"

George's expression darkened immediately.

This handsome face that once captivated me now only made me feel physically sick.

I remembered earlier at the kindergarten, how this biological father had just held Jack and walked past Milly without even a glance in her direction.

In my past life, it was the same.

Milly had a high fever, curled up in that cold room, waiting for Daddy. She waited until her breath grew weak, but he never showed up.

If he had ever cared about Milly even a little bit, how could things have turned out like this?

"You don't need to act tough here," George said, his tone returning to cold indifference. "If you want to see him, just go in. Who are you putting on this act for?"

"I think you've misunderstood," I said with a slight smile. "I'm not here to see him. I have my own daughter to take care of."

The hospital room door suddenly opened, and Sarah walked out, putting on a hurt expression.

"Grace, I'm sorry. I just felt so bad seeing Jack hurt, so I came to keep him company. If you don't want me here, I'll... I'll leave right now."

George immediately reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"You're not the one who should leave."

I looked at their clasped hands, finding the scene utterly ridiculous.

"You're right," I nodded, my voice emotionless. "I should be the one to leave. After all, this place doesn't belong to me."

I stopped looking at them and turned to leave.

Behind me, Sarah's voice rang out, "George, Jack got emotional just now and accidentally touched his wound again. It seems to be bleeding a bit. If you don't feel sorry for him, I do. I feel so bad for this child. I'll stay here with him until he's discharged."

George said, "You're always so kind. So much better than some cold-blooded people."

My steps didn't pause for a moment. I treated the people behind me like they were talking nonsense.

Back in Milly's room, her eyes were swollen from crying.

"Mommy, I just... I saw Daddy in the hallway. I called out to him."

"But... but Daddy didn't turn around. Does he hate me? Is it because I'm not good that Daddy doesn't want me anymore..."

The more she spoke, the sadder she became. Her little shoulders shook as she cried so hard she could barely breathe.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain making it spasm.

"No, baby, no."

"Listen, Milly, you don't need to please anyone to be loved. Daddy not coming to see you isn't your fault - he just doesn't know how to treasure the most wonderful baby in the world."

"You need to remember, you will always be Mommy's most beloved little princess, one of a kind, irreplaceable."

"But... Jack said, said I'm a bad kid, said I'm not Daddy's child." Milly's eyes were full of hurt and confusion. "Mommy, am I really not?"

A chill shot through me, cold spreading up my spine.

I had given Jack my whole heart, treated him like my own child. And what did I get in return?

My own biological daughter is being called a bastard to her face, and me being slandered!

I really fed my genuine care to the dogs. Good thing I was reborn - I won't let what happened in my past life happen again.

I pushed down my churning emotions and looked into my daughter's clear eyes, saying word by word, "Milly, those people who say bad things do it because they're bad."

Milly nodded as if she understood, buried her face in my arms, and sobbed quietly.

I gently patted her back, knowing that healing this wound in my child's heart would take time, and more importantly, I needed to stand strong and become her most solid fortress.

The next morning, Milly's spirits had improved a bit.

She wanted to wash an apple for me to eat.

Warmth filled my heart as I nodded.

Before long, there was a loud crash from the bathroom, followed by Milly's scream.

My heart tightened, and I rushed over immediately.

At the bathroom door, Jack was holding a dripping wet mop, glaring angrily at Milly, who had fallen to the floor.

The apple had rolled away from Milly's hand. She was clutching her arm, her little face scrunched up - clearly she'd been hit.

"Milly! You were in my way!" Jack shouted nastily, showing no remorse.

"Jack!" I shouted sternly, going forward to help Milly up and checking her arm. There was already a red mark. "Apologize to your sister! Right now!"

Jack was startled by my stern tone, but then he stuck his neck out stubbornly. Not only did he not apologize, but he yelled at me, "Why should I apologize! She's the clumsy one! She deserves it! And you, you evil woman! Why didn't you make me a cake? You made me feel so bad! I hate you!"

Looking at his little face, so similar to George's yet full of malice and spoiled arrogance. The last bit of tenderness I had from five years of raising him disappeared completely.

I crouched down and said to Milly, word by word, "Milly, Mommy told you yesterday, if someone bullies you, you can fight back. Now, he hit you. Whatever you want to do, Mommy supports you."

Milly looked at the angry Jack, then at me. Her little hands nervously clutched at her clothes, her eyes timid.

"Don't be afraid, baby." I held her little hand, giving her strength. "Mommy is right here."

With my encouragement, the timidity in Milly's eyes was gradually replaced by a trace of courage.

She let go of my fingers, bent down, and picked up the wet apple from the floor.

However, just as she gathered her courage and was about to throw the apple back.

"Stop! What are you doing?!"

Sarah suddenly appeared and pulled Jack behind her, accusing me, "Grace, Jack is just a child! Even if the two kids had a little conflict, how can you, as an adult, scare him like this? And encourage Milly to hit someone? How can you play favorites like this?"

I was about to snap back sarcastically.

"What's all this noise?" George's deep, cold voice poured down like ice water.

He had appeared at some point, standing not far behind Sarah.

In his gaze, there was no inquiry, only annoyance and judgment.

"Grace, take your daughter and leave."

"Stop making a fool of yourself in front of Jack."