Chapter 5

I leaned on my walker and shuffled to the pediatric ward, where I saw Lily curled in Sarah's arms.

Her small face was pale, her eyes unfocused, unresponsive to anything around her.

I bore the sharp pain in my ribs, knelt by the bed, and took her into my arms, gently patting her back.

After a long time, her stiff body finally softened a fraction.

Two small, icy hands slowly rose, wrapping around my neck, burying her face in my shoulder.

"Daddy," her voice was a faint whisper, choked with broken sobs, "Did... did we do something wrong, for bad things to happen?"

It was the first sentence she'd spoken in two days.

My heart felt squeezed by a cold hand.

I continued to pat her back, feeling warm tears soak my hospital gown.

"No, sweetie, we didn't do anything wrong," I whispered, my face against her soft hair, saying each word clearly, unsure if I was telling her or myself.

"It's the people who did bad things...they haven't received the punishment they deserve."

Later, I received the preliminary accident investigation report from the Ohio Highway Patrol.

The conclusion: the vehicle lost control on an icy road, resulting in a single-vehicle accident.

Due to extensive damage to the vehicle, and key components being further damaged during the roll and rescue efforts, it was impossible to determine if there was any human-induced mechanical failure before the incident.

The patrol eventually classified it as a "traffic accident caused by adverse weather conditions and potentially improper driver handling."

Rage left me trembling.

I knew the truth was buried in that tangle of metal and wire. I knew what Jack had done.

But without proof, suspicion was just a story I told myself.

Even the question of his involvement became a ghost-visible to me, impossible to hold up to the light.

A deep, cold helplessness washed through me.

Helpless.

To be crushed so completely, to cheat death, and still be unable to point a finger at the man who caused it-it was the ultimate powerlessness.

A few days later, I was outside the hospital smoking when Jack actually showed up.

I tried to swing at him, but my injured leg gave way and I collapsed into the snow.

He kicked my crutch aside, squatted down, and sneered, “Can't even stand up straight. What kind of father does that make you?"

"What do you want?" I managed.

"Just visiting my future daughter.” He grinned. “Tough little girl. Congratulations."

That's when it hit me: The police hadn't notified relatives yet. So how did he know we were here? How did he find this hospital in the next county over?

It meant one thing. He had caused the crash.

I remembered the line from the police report: Child unharmed-secured in safety seat. And suddenly, it made a terrible kind of sense.

He had engineered the crash to kill us all, counting on the car seat to save Lily.

That way, she'd become an orphan, and he could step in to "adopt" her.

"Aren't you afraid I'll retaliate?" I asked.

"Afraid of what?" He spread his hands. "You have a job and a house in New York. You lay a hand on me, you go to prison. I have nothing, so I dare to do anything."

He patted my shoulder. "I know where you live, where you work. I can come to New York to 'visit' you anytime."

I tried to hit him again, but only stumbled.

"Give me Lily, and you can all be safe." He said, then left.

A passerby helped me retrieve my crutch.

I was trembling, with only one thought: Kill him.