Chapter 6

Seraphina grew even angrier at my words, her chest heaving violently as she yelled,

"Fine, Liam, you said it! You just wait and see!"

With that, Seraphina turned to Julian. "Come on, Julian, I'll take you to the doctor."

Julian smiled and replied, "Alright!"

Seraphina pulled Julian along, and he suddenly glanced back at me.

When our eyes met, Julian mouthed the word, "Loser!"

He then smiled triumphantly, turned his head, and provocatively placed his hand on Seraphina's waist.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching their intimate backs, my hands clenched into tight fists.

Seraphina, I hope you don't regret this.

Under the setting sun, the sky was painted crimson.

At the school gates, the dismissal bell rang, and students poured out like a tide, laughter echoing in the air.

Lily, with her small backpack, spotted me standing not far away.

Her eyes instantly lit up. She happily ran towards me, shouting, "Daddy!"

I patted Lily's head and softly asked,

"How was your first day of school? Did you have fun with your classmates?"

Lily nodded vigorously, excitedly raising her hand to show me a gold star she held, saying,

"Of course I did! The teacher even gave me a gold star!"

Her small face radiated pride.

The gold star shimmered brightly in the golden light of the setting sun.

I immediately praised her, "Our Lily is so smart!"

Just as Lily was happily smiling, her peripheral vision caught Seraphina walking out of the school, holding Leo.

Lily turned her head to look, and I followed her gaze.

Leo was listlessly slumped on Seraphina's shoulder, his small face pale.

Seraphina looked full of apologies, her tone sincere as she said,

"Ms. Davis, I'm so sorry. Leo's father had an emergency, so he couldn't answer your call. My Leo is sick, and I'm so grateful for your care!"

Ms. Davis smiled gently.

"It's quite alright, Leo's mother. Leo just arrived from overseas and isn't used to the environment here yet, plus it's cold, which is why he got sick. Please take good care of him when you get home!"

Seraphina's expression softened, and she nodded. "I will! Thank you for your concern, teacher. I'll take Leo home now!"

Ms. Davis smiled and nodded.

The moment Seraphina turned with Leo in her arms, her gaze swept over Lily and me, and she froze.

Lily looked at Seraphina, her eyes filled with envy, and she unconsciously whispered, "Mommy..."

Seraphina looked at Lily, a hint of awkwardness in her expression.

She opened her mouth, intending to explain, but the words that came out were once again those of haughty arrogance:

"What are you looking at? Leo's sick, and Julian couldn't make it, so I came to pick him up!"

No sooner had Seraphina spoken than Leo spotted a vendor selling candied fruit skewers at the school gate, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

He immediately struggled in Seraphina's arms. "Mommy Seraphina, Mommy Seraphina, I want candied fruit skewers!"

Seraphina staggered slightly from Leo's sudden movement. She quickly held him tighter, soothing him gently,

"Alright, alright, Leo, Mommy Seraphina will buy you whatever you want!"

"Really, Mommy Seraphina? I also want to go to the amusement park!"

"Okay, once our Leo gets better, we'll go to the amusement park!"

Leo immediately cheered happily.

Seraphina, holding Leo, strode past Lily and me, heading out of the school.

When Leo saw Lily from Seraphina's arms, his eyes darted slyly, and he pulled a face at Lily.

Lily was utterly disappointed. She looked up at me, confused,

"Daddy, I thought Mommy didn't hug me because she didn't like little kids, but it seems... she just doesn't like *me*..." Her voice was choked with tears, and her eyes were constantly welling up.

My heart ached. I sadly patted Lily's head, unable to bear shattering the beautiful hope in Lily's heart.

My voice was hoarse and hesitant. "Maybe... maybe she would..."

My gaze followed Seraphina's retreating back. I sighed helplessly in my heart:

Seraphina, how can I explain to our daughter that once prejudice takes root, it blinds you, making you stubborn and unwilling to see the truth...

Lily thoughtfully glanced at Seraphina again, then smiled and reached out to take my hand.

"Daddy, let's go home!"

I looked down at Lily, smiling softly. "Alright, let's go home!"

Bathed in the setting sun, I held Lily's hand, and our figures slowly walked into the distance.

...

Night shrouded Seraphina's mansion, the indoor lights soft.

In the bathroom, Lily, dressed in her pajamas, strained to stand on a stool, reaching up to finally grasp the showerhead.

Then, she closed her eyes and gently twisted it. Cold water instantly sprayed out, hitting her delicate face and body.

"Mommy, if I got sick, would you... would you hug me too?"

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I wore comfortable loungewear with an apron tied around my waist.

I placed the last dish on the dining table, untied my apron, and called towards Lily's room,

"Lily, Daddy made your favorite cola chicken wings! Come eat!"

However, the room was silent.

I frowned slightly, draped the apron over a dining chair, and walked towards Lily's room.

"Lily, dinner's ready!"

Pushing open Lily's door, the room was empty.

A surge of unease rose in my heart. I began to search everywhere.

Suddenly, I heard a "clank" as something fell in the bathroom.

My face instantly drained of color, and my heart clenched. I immediately ran towards the bathroom.

Bursting through the bathroom door, the sight before me was unbearable.

Lily lay on the floor, eyes closed, her face ashen, soaking wet.

My heart felt as if an invisible hand had gripped it tightly. I rushed over in a panic.

My voice trembled, filled with endless dread, "Lily..."

I immediately ran over, quickly turned off the shower, and in a frantic motion, took off my jacket, wrapping Lily in it with immense tension.

I called softly, "Lily, Lily..." My voice was filled with worry and heartache.

Lily struggled to open her eyes and weakly called out, "Daddy..."

"Lily, what were you doing?" My voice was strained with panic.

"Daddy, if Lily gets sick, will Mommy... come back to be with Lily?" Lily tried to force a smile.

Hearing this, I froze completely, my eyes quickly welling up.

"Lily, why are you so silly!"

Forcing back my grief, I nervously picked Lily up.

I held Lily, stumbling as I ran out.

That night, returning from the hospital.

Lily lay in bed, her small face flushed crimson from fever, looking incredibly weak, with a children's cooling patch on her forehead.

I sat by her bed, holding a thermometer, carefully checking the reading.

After reading it, I sighed softly with relief. "100.2 degrees Fahrenheit."

I gently stroked Lily's little face, saying with a pang of heartache, "Finally, the fever's broken!"

Lily, asleep in bed, instinctively snuggled into my hand, murmuring in her sleep,

"Mommy... Mommy..." Her voice was faint, yet filled with longing.

My movements stilled. A sharp pain pierced my heart.

I softly called out, "Lily?"

Lily remained deep in sleep.

She whimpered in her sleep, even with a hint of crying, "Mommy, hug me, Mommy..."

Watching my daughter like this, my heart ached beyond measure.

I gently patted Lily, comforting her, "Lily, Daddy's here, Daddy's here!"