Swallowing my pride, I pleaded with him, "I am not lying. If you don't believe me, you can call the hospital. Edgar, they are your children. Don't you even care about them?"

That comment hit home. He frowned, hesitating for a moment.

Just then, Carina let out a delicate cry.

"Edgar, look, Cloud isn't moving anymore! It must have been scared by her. Hamsters can die of fright; we have to take Cloud to the hospital immediately."

The tiny hamster, dressed in a ridiculous little outfit with frills, looked utterly comical.

Yet Edgar's face was full of worry.

While comforting Carina, he picked up the hamster cage and prepared to leave.

I blocked the doorway, my voice urgent. "Give me the medicine first. Osvaldo and Shania cannot wait any longer."

Edgar's gaze lingered on me for a few seconds before shifting back to Carina.

Tears started streaming down Carina's face. "Cloud was raised by us from the start. She's like our child. How can you just stand there and watch her die?"

"Adrianna, you incited Osvaldo and Shania to call me a homewrecker and insult me. And now, you're lying to kill my precious pet. What have I ever done to you for you to hate me so much?"

With tears falling from Carina's eyes, any wavering resolve Edgar had vanished, and he fully sided with her.

Seeing that they were about to leave...

I knew I could not waste any more time. In front of the crowded hallway, I slapped my face hard.

"I am sorry! It's all my fault. I will take all the blame! Please, just save my children. Give me the medicine!"

Tears mixed with the blood from my lips, bitter and nauseating.

"You're still lying! Osvaldo and Shania had recovered. How could they possibly have had heart attacks from sitting in the sun for a bit? You're just trying to make a scene and embarrass me in front of so many people."

Onlookers in the hallway were all looking at us curiously.

I endured the humiliation and discarded my dignity, but all I got in return was Edgar's look of disgust.

"It seems you still haven't learned your lesson. From now on, stay away from the children and reflect on your behavior at home. I don't want you leading them astray."

Edgar comforted Carina as they left without hesitation.

I pounded on the car window with my bloodied hands, but Edgar, feeling irritated, pressed the gas pedal, causing me to fall to the ground.