Elaine stormed up and shoved me hard.

I stumbled backward and slammed my head into the wall. Dazed, I crumpled to the floor.

Elaine snatched Albert’s credit card from the ground, placed her hands on her hips, and yelled, “What’s your game? Were you and your dad trying to scam Albert out of money?”

She turned to Albert and continued, “Let’s get out of here. Don’t let this woman take advantage of you.

“She’s part of our family but still only cares about her own. Who knows how much she’s already drained from you over the years?”

With that, she shoved Albert toward the door.

I scrambled to my feet and grabbed Albert’s sleeve, pleading, “Don’t leave. You still haven’t given me the money. If you don’t help my dad, I’ll divorce you.”

Albert hesitated, his steps faltering.

Elaine spun around and kicked me in the stomach, dragging Albert along. “What are you scared of? She still expects you to support her, and there’s a kid involved too.”

Without a second thought, Albert followed Elaine out of the hospital. People around us whispered and pointed, gossiping about the scene.

I was left on the floor, clutching my stomach, feeling utterly helpless. Without the money, I couldn’t pay the fee. How was I supposed to save my dad?

Just then, a nurse from the emergency room hurried over. She helped me up and said with sympathy in her eyes, “Your dad is awake. You should go see him.”

I grabbed her arm, panic rising, “Really? But I haven’t paid yet.”

The nurse reassured me, “We know about your situation. The hospital has prioritized your dad’s treatment. You can settle the bill later.”

Overwhelmed with relief, I could barely find the words to thank her. The nurse patted me on the shoulder and smiled, “Don’t worry about it. Go take care of your dad.”

I rushed into the ward to find my dad lying on the bed, looking pale. When he saw me, he managed a weak smile and said, “Why couldn’t you figure out my phone password? It’s your birthday.”

“Make sure to pay the examination fee as soon as you can. Don’t make things hard for the hospital.”

The drama with Albert had spread like wildfire, so my dad must have heard about it. I let all the tears I’d been holding back flow freely.

I collapsed next to him, sobbing uncontrollably, “I’m so sorry, Dad. I’m worthless. I almost caused you to die.”

Dad weakly patted me and said softly, “I understand your struggles. It’s not your fault. I’m not upset with you.” As he spoke, he drifted back to sleep.

Fortunately, the doctor said Dad was fine. He had fainted from heat exhaustion and would need a few days of IV fluids before he could be discharged.

Now, as I sat quietly by his bedside, my heart slowly started to calm. Reflecting on everything that happened today, I was still shaken.

My dad, in his sixties, was working in 40°C heat on a construction site. He did it all for me, knowing I was at home with the kids and Albert wasn’t providing any support.

Dad worked hard to help us, and thankfully, he was brought to the hospital in time. But what if something like this happens again?

Meanwhile, Albert’s family seemed to enjoy the benefits of my sacrifices without a second thought.

Thinking about Albert and Elaine’s actions made my blood boil.

After my maternity leave ended with my daughter Lily, Albert decided to bring Elaine from the countryside to help with the baby. He was also worried about Elaine and thought it would be good for her to live in the city.

One evening, when I got home from work, I found Lily’s face covered by a small towel. She was struggling, her little arms and legs flailing around.

Panicking, I yanked off the towel and saw her face was red from being smothered. I was terrified and sweating as I searched for Elaine.

I found her upstairs, deep in conversation with our neighbor Arthur. Furious, I demanded to know why she wasn’t watching Lily properly.

Elaine simply shrugged and said, “It wasn’t on purpose. It’s just one kid—how important can she be?”

I was so angry that I ended up arguing with Albert. Elaine, crying and sniffling, came over and said, “I didn’t mean to mess up. If you don’t want me around, I can leave.”

Feeling sorry for Elaine, Albert turned to me and said, “It’s just a small mistake. Mom knows she messed up and will be more careful from now on.”

Since I needed Elaine’s help with Lily while I worked, I had no choice but to put up with it.

With Albert backing her up, Elaine grew even more reckless. She started taking Lily to the plaza every day to dance with Arthur.

The neighbors got worried and stopped me one day, saying, “Elaine is dancing with a man, and Lily’s stroller is left way off by itself.

“What if someone takes her? And it’s so hot out—Lily is left in the shade with no protection.”

I soon realized that Elaine was dancing for hours, leaving Lily unattended without feeding or changing her.

Lily cried herself hoarse from hunger, and her bottom got a painful rash. In frustration, I quit my job to care for Lily myself and sent Elaine back to her village.