After Daughter's Loss, Divorce

For seven years of marriage, I tried everything possible to earn my husband Adrian's favor, humbly hoping he would spend more time at home with our daughter and me. But even when our daughter, Seraphina, was critically injured in a car accident and longed to see her father one last time, he didn't come back. "Clementine has something going on. I can't leave right now," he told me.

He was really busy. Busy being with his true love.

Later, when I was on the verge of death, Adrian knelt by my side, filled with regret. "I'm sorry. I failed you, I failed Seraphina..." But I could no longer afford the luxury of forgiveness.

"Mommy, I want to see Daddy..."

Lying on her hospital bed, Seraphina was just a fragile little bundle, weakly clutching my hand, her voice barely a whisper. I gently stroked her head, soothing her softly, "Sweetheart, Daddy's busy with work. Let Mommy call him again." Wiping away tears, I stepped aside, my hands trembling as I dialed that familiar number.

But no matter how many times I called, Adrian didn't answer. I glanced back at Seraphina, seeing her hopeful eyes and forced smile, and kept trying. When she could hardly hold on any longer, the call finally connected.

"What do you want? I'm very busy," came the voice, cold as ice.

"Seraphina was in a car accident. She... she wants to see you one last time!" I choked out, desperately trying to hold back my tears.

Adrian paused for a few seconds before saying, "Clementine isn't feeling well. I need to be with her. I'll come home later."

"But Seraphina's dying!" My voice cracked with anguish.

"Aren't you there?" he replied indifferently.

My heart constricted as Seraphina's faint voice reached my ears, "Daddy..." Her small hand reached out, trying to touch something.

I hurriedly handed her the phone. She used every ounce of strength to say, "Daddy... I miss you so much..."

There was a pleading tone in her voice, like a child asking for candy. But on the other end, Adrian simply hung up.

Seraphina's hand fell limp. "Daddy..." She was teary-eyed, her eyes losing their sparkle.

"Seraphina!" I couldn't bear it, fainting on the spot.

When I awoke, Adrian was sitting beside the bed. I looked at him blankly. "I'm sorry, I..."

"You came," I rasped, my voice hoarse. "But Seraphina's gone. She just wanted to see you one last time." I stared at him, unable to detect any emotion on his face.

Adrian merely frowned. "She never should have been born."

I shut my eyes in pain. He never cared for Seraphina, not from the moment she was born. Adrian saw her as the reason I pressured him into marriage. On the day I gave birth, he was vacationing in the Alps with Clementine. And for years afterward, his visits were so rare they could be counted on one hand. He was always busy—busy with Clementine.

I endured it all, but why couldn't he see Seraphina one last time?

I demanded an answer. He was silent for a moment before speaking, "Melina, don’t be unreasonable. My presence here is already more than you deserve."

My eyes burned with tears. "Seraphina was your daughter!"

Something snapped in Adrian. He suddenly erupted in anger, veins bulging on his forehead. "Melina, don’t be ridiculous. If you hadn't deliberately snuck into my room back then, none of this would have happened."

"Yes, I’m a fool, I’m to blame. I never should have loved you. Loving you was the biggest mistake of my life!" I screamed, and Adrian clenched his fists. "If being with me was such a mistake, then let’s end it. If you don’t want to be with me, there are plenty who do!"

With that, he slammed the door and left. I broke down in tears.