Chapter 2His "Angel," My Dying Child, His Unforgivable Choice

My gaze drifted, landing on his hand in the photo's reflection.

Right after Annie was born, I was sitting on the couch holding her when I saw a picture of pink nails I really liked. I wanted him to go with me to get them done.

He glanced at it dismissively, his voice flat. "Sarah, you're a mother now. Pink is so… delicate. Is that really appropriate? Besides, I don't like flashy nails on you."

His words deflated me. I looked down at the baby in my arms and quietly let it go.

I thought he just genuinely disliked nail polish. Now it seemed he just disliked it on me.

The doctor came out of the OR. I stumbled to my feet, my voice trembling. "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

I fought back tears. The doctor shook his head sadly.

"I'm so sorry. We did everything we could. Your daughter has something she wants to say. You should go in."

My lips trembled. I barely managed to stay upright.

Annie lay on the hospital bed, her face pale.

I held her hand, struggling to keep myself together.

Annie's lips moved. I read her lips. She wanted to see Daddy.

I wiped away a tear, forcing a smile. I told her I'd bring Daddy right over.

I frantically tried calling Ethan, only to discover he'd blocked my number.

All the blood rushed to my head.

Annie was fading fast. She wasn't crying or fussing, just looking at me.

The pain in my chest was suffocating. I thought of the only other way to reach Ethan.

I dialed Chloe's number. Her loud, cheerful laugh came through the phone. "Sarah? What's up?"

I fought to control my voice, telling her Annie was dying, that Ethan needed to come to the hospital to see her one last time.

Please. He had to come.

But I never expected Ethan to grab the phone, his voice laced with impatience. "Sarah, you've really lost it! You call yourself a mother? How can you curse your own child like that!"

"You sound like a lunatic right now!"

I sobbed quietly.

Through the phone, I heard Chloe's coy voice. "Ethan, she sounds really upset. Maybe you should go? I can manage dinner myself."

"Don't worry about it," Ethan replied. "It's probably nothing serious. She's just putting on a show for me, she pulled this stunt last time too, and Annie was fine. I'm staying with you tonight."

Panic seized me. What if he didn't come?

I raised my voice. "Ethan, if you don't come right now, we're getting a divorce."

It was the only leverage I had left.

Silence on the other end. Finally, he relented, though his voice was cold. "Wait for me."

I hung up immediately and sent him the hospital address.

Annie was in so much pain, but she didn't cry.

She opened her mouth slightly. "Mommy… don't cry… An… nie… loves Mommy."

Tears streamed down my face, my chest feeling crushed by a heavy weight.

Looking at her little face, so much like Ethan's, brought a fresh wave of bitterness.

After we got together, I realized I was just Chloe's replacement.

Chloe had gotten married.

He'd only agreed to be with me out of spite.

Now Chloe was divorced and back, and that light was back in his eyes.

Clutching my daughter's blood-stained hand, I felt utterly broken.