The little girl had already picked up her mom''s knack for putting on a front: acting sweet on the outside but with a hidden edge. Her tiny fingers were digging into Evelyn''s arm with all the spite she could muster. Sandy knew her mom couldn''t stand Ms. Evelyn, and causing her grief would definitely earn her mom''s approval.


    Evelyn''s eyes were icy as she shook Sandy off with a quick flick of her wrist. The touch of this mother-daughter duo made her stomach turn. Even though she despised them, Evelyn couldn''t bring herself to retaliate harshly-Sandy was just a kid, and a sick one at that. She used just enough force to get free.


    But then, out of nowhere...


    "Ouch!"


    As Sandy was pushed away, she threw herself back, smacking her head against the headboard with a loud thud. She''d seen this trick pulled by her mom and on TV. It always left the used looking guilty and hated. She was hoping her dad would despise Ms. Evelyn for this so he wouldn''t leave her mom. She just wanted her parents to stay together.


    But being just a child, Sandy misjudged her strength, and the hit left her seeing stars.


    Charles was about to lift Dahlia when Sandy''s pained cry pierced the air. His face went pale. He forgot all about Dahlia, and she slipped from his grasp, copsing back onto the floor.


    In a heartbeat, Charles was at Sandy''s side, scooping her into his arms, his eyes burning with anger as he red at Evelyn. "Eve! You''ve crossed the line!"


    Charles was genuinely furious. Holding Sandy, who was struggling to breathe, he quickly hit the call button for help. "You better hope Sandy''s alright!"


    "If she''s hurt, it''s on her!" Evelyn retorted, not a hint of sympathy in her voice. She knew she wasn''t the one to me. If Sandy got hurt, it was her own doing.


    "Evelyn!" Dahlia''s voice cracked with fury. "If anything happens to Sandy, I''ll make sure you pay!"


    "Dahlia, if Sandy''s in trouble, it''s just karma for all your wrongdoings," Evelyn shot back, turning on her heel and leaving.


    The doctor soon arrived to check on


    Sandy. He advised them to take good care of her; they had a kidney donor lined up, so surgery was possible. Dahlia sat by Sandy''s bed, her eyes brimming with worry.


    Charles, remembering Evelyn''s words, stepped out to make some calls,


    determined to unravel the situation. Evelyn wouldn''t have caused a scene without


    a reason; something was up.


    After a lengthy call, Charles learned about Adam''s car ident. His arm was permanently injured, putting an end to hispeting days. No.


    wonder Evelyn was fuming, al nost


    instructed an investigation into the ident before hanging up. Leaving the hospital, he went to find Evelyn, eager to rify his innocence in the matter.


    Halfway there, Dahlia called. Sandy had been rushed to the ER again. This time, she hadn''te out.


    Charles spun the car around and raced back to the hospital. "Mr. Jenkins, have you found a kidney donor? If Sandy doesn''t get a transnt soon, she..."


    "No, Sandy can''t be in danger," Charles murmured as Dahlia, frantic, pushed her wheelchair forward.


    "Dahlia, what are you doing?" Charles quickly grabbed the wheelchair handles.


    "Charles, only Adam can save Sandy now. If Evelyn wants my life, I''ll give it to her if it means Adam will help Sandy! I just want to save Sandy; I''m willing to die for it!" Dahlia cried out.


    Charles nced at the emergency room, where Sandy''s life hung in the bnce.


    "I''ll go find Adam," he said, determination etched on his face.