On the other end of the line, Isabella's voice oozed mockery. "So, you want more money again?"

"My son's sick," I said, trying to stay calm. "He needs surgery."

A pause. Then a lazy hum. "Fine. But tonight, I want to try something new."

My grip on the phone tightened. I swallowed the bitterness. "Alright."

Minutes later, a ping—fifty thousand transferred. But I wouldn't see the rest unless I fulfilled her request. And from her tone, I knew tonight would be worse than usual.

I turned back toward Noel's room, but bumped into someone—Adeline.

She stood there, arms folded, eyes full of disdain. "Gavin Cooper," she said coldly. "Still trying to use a child to tie a woman down?"

Her words hit harder than I'd admit. Once, I'd loved her. Believed her lies. Kept our relationship secret because she asked. Trusted her promise we'd go public once she got pregnant. Gave her everything.

I never tried to trap her with a child. I just wanted something real. But it had all been a game to her.

I laughed dryly. "Sorry to disappoint you, but this time, I actually succeeded in using a child to tie someone down."

Her fists clenched. She was seconds from exploding—but then she surprised me.

"Leave Isabella. Come with me," she said flatly.

I blinked.

"But I won't raise someone else's bastard," she added. "Just dump him on her. I doubt she'll let her own kid die."

The words stabbed deep. She had looked at Noel and still didn't recognize him?

I stared back, voice cold. "Even a donkey doesn't fall in the same hole twice."

Her jaw tightened. "You'd rather humiliate yourself for Isabella's kid?"

So that was it. She wanted me back. But I couldn't do it. Not anymore.

I said nothing.

Adeline scoffed and stormed off. "You don't know what's good for you!"

After she left, I returned to Noel's room, tucked him in, brushed his damp forehead. Then dragged myself to Isabella's villa.

By the time I left, dawn was breaking. My body ached, bruised from her hands—and the leather strap. The rest of the money had arrived.

Back at the hospital, I sat by Noel's bedside. His breath was steady, cheeks pale. I didn't notice my tears until one landed on his hand.

His eyes fluttered open. "Daddy... why are you crying?"

I wiped my face quickly. "It's nothing, buddy. The doctor said you can have your surgery soon."

His eyes lit up. "Really? After surgery... can I run like other kids?"

My throat tightened. I nodded. "Of course. We'll go to the amusement park. You can ride anything you want."

He smiled faintly and drifted off.

Later, I slumped on a bench in the hallway, finally closing my eyes—only to be jolted by a shrill voice.

"That's him! That shameless homewrecker!"

A woman in a fur coat and heels stormed toward me, fury on her face. Burly bodyguards flanked her.

Before I could react, she slapped me. Hard.

"You filthy rat!" she screamed. "You're the reason my sister is still single?!"

I staggered, stunned and then someone yanked my hair, forcing me down.

"Strip him!" she shrieked. "Let everyone see what this pathetic man really is!"

Crowds gathered. Some gasped. Others laughed. Hands grabbed at my clothes, yanking and tearing.

I struggled, humiliated. Then I heard it.

"Daddy! No! Stop hurting my daddy!"

Noel was crying, trying to reach me—but they held him back, shouting insults at a child who just wanted his father.

The moment my clothes were torn apart, I shut my eyes. The cold air stung like needles, but it wasn't the cold that broke me. It was the shame. It felt exactly like five years ago—powerless, humiliated, exposed.

The hospital corridor was packed—patients, visitors, staff—but no one helped. Phones hovered in the air. Faces lit with anticipation. Every pair of eyes judged, ridiculed.

I dropped to my knees. My voice cracked. "Please... let my son go. He's just a child. Don't let him see this. Please!"

No one listened.

"You deserve it! That's what homewreckers get!"

"Disgusting. Filthy slut!"

They laughed. Hands grabbed at me, tearing the last shreds of fabric from my body. My skin was bruised, marked. Every inch a reminder of what I had to trade for my son's surgery.

Then I saw her. Isabella.

She stood at the back. Watching. Cold, unreadable. Just like Adeline had been five years ago—when her sister destroyed me and she said nothing.

I didn't even register when the crowd quieted. When the hands stopped hitting. I was curled on the floor, whispering one phrase over and over.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Noel fainted from the shock. A nurse finally stepped in and rushed him to the ER.

For the first time, I couldn't bring myself to wait outside. I was too ashamed. Too broken.

Then, a coat draped over my shoulders. Heavy. Familiar.

Adeline.

She looked down at me, her voice cool and detached. "See what happens when you let someone use you? If you'd chosen me, at least you wouldn't be lying here... naked."

Her words hit harder than the slap.

It was her. She had tipped off Isabella's sister. She set this up.

I stared at her, then laughed—dry, bitter, shaking.

"Even if I'm like this," I rasped, "at least she's single. That's better than being your fake husband."

Her eyes narrowed. She wanted begging. Regret. Instead, she got defiance.

"Keep being ungrateful, Gavin," she snapped. "You'll regret it."

I already did. I regretted ever meeting her.

***

Three days passed in silence. Pain. Numbness.

Then—finally—light. Noel got a match. A donor heart. The surgery was set. The money ready.

For the first time in five years, I could breathe.

Then my phone rang.

"Mr. Cooper," the doctor said, urgency in his voice. "Your mother is showing signs of waking up."

I ran to her room, lungs burning with hope. But the moment I pushed the door open, it shattered.

Adeline was inside.

My mother's eyes—glassy, confused—were fixed on a phone screen in Adeline's hand.

That video. The video when I was humiliated at the hospital.

"Mom—no—let me explain—" I gasped.

I lunged and slapped the phone away. It hit the wall and cracked apart.

My mother flinched. Her lips parted, forming one word: "You... disgrace..."

Then the monitor screamed.

"Patient's heart has stopped!" a nurse yelled. "Code blue!"

Doctors swarmed in.

I sank to the ground, paralyzed. I couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Couldn't undo what had just happened.

Minutes passed. Then the doctor came out.

"We did everything we could. I'm sorry for your loss."

I couldn't feel anything. My limbs were numb. My brain frozen. Only rage remained.

Adeline stood nearby. Watching again. Like she always did.

My body moved before I could think. I grabbed her by the collar, dragging her close.

"Why did you show her that video?!" I shouted, voice trembling, eyes burning.

She paled. "I just... I wanted to wake her up. I didn't think—"

I let out a hoarse, broken laugh.

"You killed my dad five years ago," I said, my voice shaking. "And now my mom too? You dragged me through hell—fine! I accepted that! But why this?"

Tears blurred my vision.

Then, without warning, she wrapped her arms around me. Her body trembled.

"Gavin... I'm sorry..." she whispered.

But I didn't feel her. I only felt everything I'd lost.

"I only wanted to make amends after I found out Noel is my son. I wanted to give you and him a family..."