Chapter 3

As we stood there in a stalemate, her phone dinged.

ChatGPT was sending a new message.

"Dear Lily, why aren't you responding? Did you go find that bastard Jack Thompson?"

"Shall we try some roleplay tonight~"

"You on top, me on bottom~"

I watched as a smile spread across her face, and she typed back:

[Don't be naughty, Jack is still next to me...]

I clenched my fists, unable to describe the anger in my heart.

But now, the most important thing was Emma's surgery.

Her rapidly deteriorating condition didn't allow me to waste time arguing with Lily.

I said nothing more, turning to contact friends to raise money.

Fortunately, I had good relationships, and when they heard I was in trouble, everyone dug into their own pockets to help.

This moved me deeply, but also felt ridiculous.

In a critical moment, it was my friends who helped me.

While my wife, my life partner, turned a deaf ear to it all.

Tears blurred my vision.

I raised money while running food deliveries day and night in wind and rain.

Even at three or four in the morning, I wouldn't rest.

Sometimes when I had too many orders and didn't notice a restaurant's mistake, customers would curse at me, pointing at my name.

"Are you blind? This isn't my order."

"You delivery guys are so stupid."

After a few days, I finally raised $20,000.

"Emma, Daddy will come to the hospital to see you soon."

That evening, I sat outside a takeout restaurant, taking advantage of a quiet moment to video call my daughter.

On the screen, Emma's small face looked extremely weak, like a withering flower.

She was only six years old, at the most innocent age.

Yet she didn't cry or make a fuss, understanding things in a way that broke my heart.

"Daddy, I miss you so much."

She forced a smile at the camera.

Choking up, I said: "Emma, we can do the surgery soon."

"After the surgery, when you're better, Daddy will take you to the beach to collect seashells."

But Emma shook her head, solemnly telling me.

"Daddy, I only have one wish."

"I want you to take me home, I miss Mommy so much."

Seeing her so understanding, I finally couldn't hold back my tears.

Gently stroking my daughter's face on the screen.

"Okay, Daddy promises you."