Proof that Thomas had shown up with his mistress trying to take my daughter by force.
Only then did I let myself breathe.
"That should be enough. For now."
For the next few days, I never left my daughter's bedside.
Not until the scheduled date of my mother's bone marrow transplant did I finally step away.
She'd been sick since she was young. Fifteen years searching for a match, and they'd finally found one.
Once the surgery was done and both my mother and Lily were discharged, I would destroy Thomas Gilbert's reputation.
Then take my family abroad.
Leave this place forever.
Maybe it was knowing the surgery was finally happening.
My mother was still bedridden, but the color in her face looked better than it had in months.
When I arrived, the TV happened to be tuned to the news.
Gilbert Group CEO Thomas Gilbert has publicly announced a paternity recognition banquet for his son...
After a long silence, my mother took my hand. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Whatever you decide to do, I'm behind you."
"If you're tired of it, get the divorce. I'll help you raise the baby."
My nose stung. I barely held back the sob building in my throat.
She always supported me, no questions asked.
When I got married. And now, when I was ready to end it.
I said a few words to reassure her, then got up to find the doctor.
The scheduled surgery time had already passed, and no one had come in.
My mother had been resuscitated multiple times before. She'd had several critical condition notices issued.
Today was the deadline. There was no more room for delay.
I went to the nurses' station and explained the situation.
Several nurses stood up immediately and wheeled my mother into the operating room.
A short while later, one of them came back out.
"The patient has been given anesthesia. I'll go get the lead surgeon right now."
I nodded gratefully, thanking her again and again.
But minutes passed. The anesthesia had already taken effect, and the surgeon still hadn't appeared.
Then the operating room doors swung open.
Every nurse inside filed out and headed for the stairwell.
I didn't understand. I grabbed one of them at random.
"Where are you going? My mother is still waiting for her surgery!"
"Please don't leave. The doctor said her condition can't wait any longer..."
The nurse shook me off and kept walking.