Chapter 10
She clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from sobbing in public. She paced the corridor, time congealing—each second stretching into an eternity, enough to turn her hair white in one night.
At last the light outside the operating room flicked off. Her heart seized, leaping into her throat. The doctor took off his mask, fatigue etched in his face. “We’ve kept her alive, but we can’t say when she’ll wake. Even if she does, there may be sequelae. The drowning time was too long; the brain and other organs were severely deprived of oxygen. The damage is irreversible. We’ll monitor her in the ICU for a few days. Family can stay with her and speak to her—sometimes that helps restore awareness.”
Grace’s heart rose and fell with every sentence and never found ground. The doctor also warned of massive medical costs. Thankfully, the divorce settlement—handled by Ethan’s lawyer as a matter of routine—had left Grace with money. Ethan, thinking they’d remarry sooner or later, hadn’t fought it—money to Grace, money to himself, what difference did it make? He’d let the lawyer proceed.
Seeing her daughter in the ICU, tubes snaking everywhere, hurt like a physical blow. There’s a saying: if lives could be exchanged, hospital rooftops would be crowded with mothers. If she could trade hers, Grace would have done it in a heartbeat.
She didn’t know whether to tell Ethan. He was Sophie’s father; once, he had loved Sophie… She dialed anyway. The call rang a long time before someone picked up.
“Ethan Foster, Sophie’s in the ICU. She might not make it. If you want to see her one last time—”
A venomous voice cut in. “Grace, you dare call? You bit us both. He’s getting shots now.” Then the woman laughed, bright and cruel. “Oh? The little brat’s in the ICU? Congratulations to me, then—one less person to pester Ethan.”
Rage boiled Grace’s mind. She had never met a woman this vicious, this black‑hearted beneath a pure white facade. “Vivian Moore, you’re a mother yourself. If my daughter dies, I’ll kill you and your daughter. You two vipers don’t deserve to live in this world.”
Vivian snorted. “Do you think I’m afraid of your threats? Please. Ethan adores Daisy. Tomorrow is Daisy’s birthday, and he’s throwing her a party. From now on, Daisy will be his daughter. As for yours—if she’s dead, better. She’s made room.”
Grace’s hands shook as she hung up. Hatred poured into her veins. Sophie lay in the ICU, her fate unknown, and Ethan was planning a birthday banquet for another woman’s child. He had forgotten his own daughter’s birthday; Daisy’s he celebrated in grand style. Such a father was no father at all.
Right—she needed the pool surveillance footage. She called the preschool director. Rattled—because the incident had happened on school grounds—the director had the security office pull the video and sent it straight to Grace.
She watched, frozen, tears streaming. She had never imagined that children’s cruelty could rival the malice of adults. Daisy and several bigger kids had ringed Sophie. Daisy’s pretty face wore a smile far too evil for her age. Her voice was sweet and sharp. “She’s so annoying. She keeps stealing my daddy. Teach her a lesson.”
“You stole my daddy. He’s my daddy,” Sophie protested, her little face flushed with anger.
Daisy flicked her hand. Two boys stepped up, one to each side, clamping Sophie’s thin arms. “Let go of me!” Sophie’s small face twisted in fear.
They dragged her to the deep end. Daisy pressed a chubby palm to the back of Sophie’s head and shoved her face into the water. A chilling smile curved her lips. The two boys gaped, stunned by Daisy’s brutality.
Bubbles burst up in a frantic rush. Sophie thrashed, kicking helplessly. Seconds later, Daisy yanked her up. Sophie gasped, coughing so hard it tore at the throat, tears and snot streaming, fear contorting her face.
Daisy giggled, excitement glittering in her big eyes. “Boring. Throw her farther.” All three heaved together and tossed the frail Sophie into the deep end like a piece of trash. A dull splash—and she was in. They watched her struggle, then Daisy dusted her hands. “Let’s go play something else.” She marched off with the two boys.
