Blurb：
After his wife Irene sends their five-year-old daughter Lily into a haunted house to retrieve a ring she shared with her first love Robert Easton, Hubert Gunner’s world shatters. When Lily dies clutching the ring, Hubert discovers Irene’s cruel priorities—caring more about Robert’s daughter Yuki’s heart transplant than their own child’s life. Devastated, Hubert cancels the heart donation and confronts Irene, who coldly defends her actions. This emotional thriller explores parental betrayal, loss, and revenge as Hubert seeks justice for Lily’s tragic death.
Content：
To retrieve the engagement ring my wife shared with her first love, she actually sent our five-year-old daughter into a haunted house alone.
Terrified by the bloodstains inside, our daughter accidentally fell down the stairs. A steel rod pierced her stomach, and even in her final moments, she clung tightly to the ring, refusing to let go.
I cradled her lifeless body, crying uncontrollably, and called my wife countless times. When she finally answered, she impatiently warned me, “Roberts daughter is about to undergo heart transplant surgery. Stop causing trouble!”
Devastated, I made another call. “Hello, this is Lily’s father. I’m sorry, but we can no longer agree to the heart donation.”
If they were responsible for my daughter’s death, they could forget about taking her heart!
Chapter 1
My wife kept her phone off all day. The only sign of her was a courier she sent to collect the ring Lily had been holding tightly in her final moments.
My wife said the ring was something she had given to her first love, Robert Easton, during their youth, symbolizing the beautiful memories they shared. She insisted its sentimental value made it irreplaceable.
The nurse at the hospital looked at me with a mix of pity and anger in her eyes.
“What kind of parents would allow a child that young to enter such a house alone? Someone just died there, for heaven’s sake! Even the property owner won’t step foot inside. Who was watching over her?”
I heard the child wasnt in good health to begin with, yet they sent her to such a horrible place.
That poor girl. I hope she never encounters such irresponsible parents in her next life.
They were right. Even I hated myself. I knew my wife never cared about our daughters health, so why did I let her take Lily away?
I sat alone in the living room the entire night, waiting until dawn for my wife to return home.
Sign it. I pushed the divorce papers in front of her.
What nonsense are you on about now? My wife frowned impatiently. All this over me not answering your calls? Seriously?
Roberts daughter is about to undergo surgery. Whats wrong with me, as a friend, being there for him? Hubert, Im warning you, dont push your luck!
The sharp scent of hospital disinfectant clung to herthat same sterile smell from the ER when our child slipped away. But she had been comforting someone else’s all this time.
I laughed coldly, my face full of mockery. Staying out all night before the surgery even begins? Why dont you wait until the surgery fails, then go console Robert properly?
Before I could finish my sentence, her hand struck my face with a sharp slap.
“Hubert Gunner, let me tell you this. I’ve tolerated you only because we have a daughter together. Keep running your mouth, and I swear I’ll throw you out!”
A daughter? She had the audacity to bring up our daughter?
Thinking of Lily’s pale and pain-stricken face in her final moments, a searing ache tore through my heart.
“Irene, how dare you even mention Lily? She was only five years old! How could you send her to that abandoned house, a place where someone had just died? Do you even realize what”
“There you go again, complaining as always!” Irene interrupted, rubbing her temples impatiently.
“Robert is an adventure blogger. He lost the ring there during one of his shoots. What was I supposed to do? Its just a ring. Sending Lily to fetch it didnt cost her life! That house isnt haunted! I told her to go there as a way to toughen her up. It was for her own good!
“Look at Roberts daughterso young yet brave enough to face surgery. And then theres Lily. She runs to you crying over something as trivial as fetching a ring! Dont blame me for liking Yuki more than Lily. It’s just the way it is. Yuki is cheerful and lively, far more likable than Lily!
“You turned your daughter into a sullen, useless child. She couldnt even find the ring after all this time. How pathetic! And let me tell you, if Yukis surgery fails because Lily didnt find that ring, Ill make her kneel outside the hospital ward!”
Her words were like knives, stabbing me mercilessly, leaving me bleeding and broken.
I was such a fool, hoping she might feel even a sliver of guilt after our daughters death. But now I saw it clearlyshe didnt care about Lily at all.
She only cared about Roberts feelings and whether his daughter would be okay.
Since that was the case, why should I even tell her about Lily? She wouldnt grieve; shed only accuse me and Lily of conspiring to deceive her.
“Enough! Im done wasting words with you. This doll is for Lily.”
My wife tossed a Barbie doll at me. “Get her out of her room and have her properly thank Yuki for the gift!”
I looked at the doll lying carelessly on the sofa and couldnt help but picture Lilys innocent, sweet face.
Lily had always wanted an Elsa doll from Frozen, but my wife always found excuses to avoid buying one. Now, the doll she brought back was not only heavily discolored but missing an arm and a leg, clearly a worn-out secondhand toy.
The cruel irony was that it wasnt even Elsait was Barbie.
A Barbie that Yuki no longer wanted after playing with it.
How pathetic.
Irene Watts, a high-ranking executive at a publicly listed company, couldnt even buy her own daughter a doll. Instead, she gave her someone elses discarded toy.
Ever since Robert entered our lives, my heart had been riddled with wounds from my wifes indifference.
I thought I had become numb to her double standards, but when it came to our daughter, I still couldnt stop the tears from welling up.
“Irene, since you like Yuki so much, why dont you go be her mother? Lets get a divorce!”
Irene hurled a cushion at me. “Hubert, has something crushed your brain? For all these years, you havent worked a single day. All youve done is stay home and take care of the child. The fact that I havent kicked you out already is proof of my generosity!
“And now, just because I said a few things about Lily, you want a divorce? Let me tell you, the reason your daughter is so weak and spineless is entirely your fault!”
She was about to say more when her phone suddenly rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, she immediately switched to a soft, warm tone.
“Yuki? Dont be scared, sweetie. I will be right there.”
Her expression shifted unpredictably, a mix of anxiety and worry, but when she looked at me, the cold indifference returned.
“If you want a divorce, fine! Do as you wish!”
She grabbed her coat and slammed the door on her way out.
In her eyes, she probably thought I loved her too much, that everything I did was just me being jealous. She believed that once she was in a better mood and threw a few sweet words my way, Id come running back to her like a dog wagging its tail.
In the past, I always told myself I needed to give my daughter a complete family. So, no matter how much Robert provoked me, I pretended not to see it.
But I never realized that my constant tolerance and forbearance would ultimately cost my daughter her life.
I wanted to leave this house, this place full of heartbreak. But then I thoughtwhy should I be the one to leave?
If anyone should go, it should be Irene and Robert!
Without hesitation, I changed the password on the door lock.
If she liked someone elses daughter so much, then she could stay with them forever and never come back!
Chapter 2
I fell in love with Irene during our university years. Back then, she was burdened with an enormous debt of sixty thousand dollars left behind by her parents. She spent her days hiding in a small rented room, surviving on nothing but boiled cabbage.
I used my scholarship money and part-time job savings to help her, and together, we paid off the debt over three years.
After graduation, we both landed jobs at prestigious companies thanks to our excellent academic performance. A year into our careers, I bought an engagement ring, prepared our new home, and proposed to her.
Irene was moved to tears, and shortly after we got married, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Irene put a lot of thought into naming our daughter, poring over dictionaries for the perfect choice. She would often curl up in my arms, reciting the names she had picked out for the baby in her belly.
I teased her for being overly sentimental, but she just smiled and said it was only the beginning. She dreamed of reading bedtime stories, sharing fairy tales, and telling our love story to the baby once she was born.
When our daughter arrived, life threw us a curveball. The company we worked for began downsizing.
To support Irenes ambitions, I decided to quit my job and stay home as a full-time dad. Irene would bring me a small gift after work every day, and although our life was simple, it was filled with warmth.
I truly believed that this happiness would last foreveruntil Robert reappeared.
I had known about Robert for a long time. He was Irenes first love, her “ideal man who always held a special place in her heart.
Once, I heard her murmuring his name in her sleep.
They grew up together as childhood sweethearts and even planned to get married. But everything changed when tragedy struck her familyher parents died in a car accident, leaving behind a mountain of debt.
When Robert called off their engagement, he moved his entire family to another city to start over.
Thank you, Hubert, for giving me a new home, Irene said, tears streaming down her face on our wedding day.
I held her close, my heart aching for her.
Back then, I only saw how her hardships had forged her resilience. What I didnt see was the past she couldnt let go of, especially Robert.
The first time I met Robert was at the hospital.
It was pouring rain, and he was kneeling in the hospital lobby with a little girl, desperately pleading with the doctors to save his child.
Irene froze in her tracks at the sound of his familiar voice. She instinctively turned toward him, and in just one glance, her composure crumbled.
I remember her hesitation, her unease, and how she eventually insisted on giving up our appointment for his daughter, claiming the girls situation was more urgent.
His daughter was born with a congenital heart defect. She needed a transplant to survive, but finding a suitable donor wasnt easy. In the meantime, her life depended on medication.
From that day on, Irenes trips to the hospital became more frequent, and her relationship with Robert and his daughter grew closer.
Over time, the hours she spent with them eclipsed the time we spent together as a family. She constantly mentioned Yuki, always calling her name, even comparing her to Lily. Her smiles toward me and our daughter became fewer and fewer.
I told myself that once Lily grew older, Irene would come to her senses and embrace her role as a mother.
Now, I realize how foolish I was. It took the loss of our daughter for me to see the truth.
Nine years of marriageall those years togetherreduced to nothing more than a divorce agreement.
When it was time to say goodbye to my daughter, my hands trembled as I signed the donation consent form.
Organ donation was a race against time.
Lily was always kind and thoughtful. Two years ago, after unintentionally watching a news segment about organ donation, she told me that when her time came, she wanted to do her part to help others.
By signing this form, I was honoring her wish.
But seeing her lying there all alone, my heart felt as though it was being ripped apart.
“Lily, are you frowning because the wound from the steel rod still hurts? Rest now, sweetheart. I promise to make those who hurt you pay.”
After harvesting the donated organs, the hospital would arrange her appearance, and then transport her body for cremation.
Not long after Irene left, I received the cremation noticeand a call from the hospital director.
I suppose they hadnt expected a donors family member to back out after the paperwork had already been processed.
Mr. Gunner, we understand your feelings, but the childs heart has already been removed.
I said, were not donating.
To be honest, theres a heart transplant surgery scheduled for today, but
Is the recipient named Yuki Easton? I interrupted him coldly.
Well um Im sorry, but we cant disclose patient information due to privacy policies. Please take some time to reconsider.
The voice on the other end stammered before hurriedly hanging up.
I forced myself to calm down.
Lily, look. Daddy bought this for youits the Elsa doll you wanted.
I gently shook the newly purchased doll, forcing a bitter smile as I looked at the urn in my hands.
The sun was shining brightly outside, but every step I took carrying her ashes felt like walking on the edge of a blade. The pain was bone-deep, the chill cutting to my soul.
I thought I couldnt feel colder until I reached home and heard Irene screaming hysterically at the top of her lungs, That damn Hubert Gunner! How dare he change the password? Robert, dont worry, Ill make sure you get an explanation today! I wont cover for him!
Robert let out a sigh. Let it go, Irene. Im sure Lily didnt mean it.
He said to let it go, but the look on his face showed nothing but grievance.
Irenes anger flared even higher. She turned to the security guard near the door and barked, Break it open!
What do you think youre doing?
I strode up quickly, and Irene turned to glare at me as soon as she noticed my arrival.
She grabbed my collar with a vice-like grip, dragging me toward the door.
Tell me, where did Lily hide it? Shes stealing things at such a young age! What a disgrace! Its embarrassing to have a daughter like her!
Stealing?
I stared at the woman in disbelief. She didnt even know our daughter was gone, and yet here she was, accusing her of theft.
Has she ever been mistreated or wronged? And now shes stealing Yukis Elsa doll!
“Do you realize how upset Yuki is over this? Shes so distraught she wont even go through with the surgery! How could Lily be so cruel at such a young age?”
“Dont say that, Irene,” Robert interjected, his tone gentle. “Shes just a child who doesnt know any better. Its just a doll; as long as we find it, everything will be fine.”
I couldnt help but let out a bitter laugh, my heart bleeding.
The surgery had been postponed because they couldnt find a donor, yet she chose to blame my daughter for it.
“What proof do you have? How dare you slander Lily like this? Why dont we check the security footage right now?”
Robert froze, at a loss for words.
Instead, he tugged lightly on Irenes sleeve, shaking his head with a magnanimous expression as if to say he wouldnt pursue the matter.
Irene patted his hand gently, soothing him before turning to glare at me.
“Yuki told us herself. Yuki is such a well-behaved child; do you think shed lie?”
I laughed coldly, my heart growing colder still.
She hadnt even bothered to check the surveillance footage. She was willing to doubt her own daughter based solely on the words of another child.
Chapter 3
“Today, as long as I’m here, no one will slander my daughter!”
My hands tightened instinctively as I clutched the urn close to my chest.
Roberts sharp eyes caught my movement. His gaze flicked to the urn and locked onto the Elsa doll perched on top.
“Irene, look! Thats the doll!” he shouted.
Irenes face lit up with triumph, her voice icy as she said, “Caught red-handed. Are you still going to deny it?”
She reached out to grab the doll from my hands.
I instinctively cradled the urn closer, shielding it, but to them, my actions looked like guilt.
With a cold scoff, Irene gestured to Robert, and together, they lunged at me, prying my fingers apart.
“No! Dont!” I screamed, trying desperately to protect my daughters urn, but their combined force was too much.
With a loud crash, the urn hit the ground.
Ashes scattered everywhere.
I fell to my knees in despair, reaching out helplessly.
“What is this? Why is it so filthy?” Robert recoiled, covering his nose in disgust.
“Hubert, have you lost your mind? Bringing this trash herewhats wrong with you?” Irene snapped. “Are you doing this on purpose because you know Robert is allergic to dust?”
Turning to the security guards, she barked, “Clean this mess up! Flush it all down the toilet!”
I couldnt hear another word she said. My mind had gone blank, consumed by the sight of my daughters ashes being treated like garbage.
“Stop! Dont touch it!” I cried out, my voice echoing through the space as I scrambled to gather the ashes with my bare hands.
The guards, fearing Id cause a scene, pinned my shoulders down, immobilizing me.
I struggled desperately, but all I could do was watch as they swept my daughters ashes away like dirt on the floor.
“I’m sorry, Lily. It’s all my fault,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
I failed to protect you when you were alive, and even in death, I let you suffer this humiliation.
The thought crushed me, and a surge of anguish overwhelmed me. Blood rose in my throat, and I spat it out in a violent cough.
“Hubert!”
Irene shrieked in alarm, quickly gesturing for the security guards to let me go.
I struggled to crawl toward the ashes, but my body felt heavy and powerless. All I could do was drag myself forward, inch by inch, like a pitiful worm.
Robert smirked as he watched my pathetic state, his lips curling in amusement, ready to taunt me.
But just then, his phone rang.
He answered it confidently, but the smug look on his face vanished the moment the hospital director’s voice came through the line, “I’m sorry, Mr. Easton. The heart that was originally a matchwell, the donors family suddenly changed their mind. The surgery for Yuki cant proceed.”
The directors next words hit like a thunderclap.
“Yukis condition is already critical. If we miss this opportunity, she could face fatal risks at any moment.”
Chapter 4
“Ill give you a hintits Mr. Hubert Gunner… You should go and beg him,” the voice on the phone said.
As soon as the call ended, Robert dropped to his knees before me with a loud thud.
“Hubert, this is all my fault! I never should have come between you and Irene. If youre angry, take it out on me. But please, dont make Yuki pay the price!”
He clasped his hands together, pleading. “Ill do whatever you want, just dont make this harder for Yuki. Shes my only daughter!”
I didnt respond. My hands moved mechanically as I continued gathering Lilys ashes from the floor, piece by piece.
“Hubert! Robert is talking to you. Are you even listening?” Irene shouted, her voice sharp with frustration.
“How can you be so heartless? Misunderstanding my relationship with Robert is one thing, but now youre taking it out on a child? Are you even human?”
Her scolding was endless, but I tuned her out entirely.
I carefully cradled the ashes in my hands, my mind consumed by thoughts of Lily.
“So, youre just going to ignore me now?”
She lunged forward, grabbed the urn from my hands, and flung the remaining ashes into my face.
“If you want a divorce, fine! But dont think for a second Ill let my daughter stay with someone as cold-hearted as you!”
“From now on, youll never see Lily again!” she spat, pulling out her phone to call her assistant.
“Prepare the divorce papers immediately. I dont care what it takesIm going to fight for full custody of Lily!”
She paused, her voice growing colder. “And find out whats going on with the heart transplant. Why did the donors family back out? Was this Huberts doing?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the call. Then, in a halting voice, the assistant replied, “Maam… I went to the hospital to investigate. The donor is… Miss Lily.
After Miss Lily passed, Mr. Gunner initially agreed to donate her organs. But after the heart was removed, he changed his mind. Since your phone was turned off, the hospital had no choice but to follow Mr. Gunners instructions. They said the cremation is scheduled for today…”
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