ahead. The colored photograph of Lily embedded in the stone seemed to watch me, her
innocent smile a reproach to my failures.
"Ethan!"
Victoria''s voice startled me. I hadn''t heard her approach. She rushed to my side, her face a
mask of concern.
"King, let me help you," she said, reaching for my arm.
< Chapter 103: Lily''s Death
I turned to her, my expression hardening. "Why are you here?"
+15 Points >
My tone was low with displeasure. This moment was meant to be private-a father''s bted
tribute to his daughter.
Victoria''s eyes widened with practiced innocence. "Ethan, don''t be angry, I''m just worried about
you. You''re not fully recovered yet, and you insisted oning to see Lily."
She stepped closer, her hand still on my arm. "I know I can''t persuade you, but I''m really afraid
that something might happen to you if youe to the Cemetery alone..."
Her voice broke, tears filling her eyes. "And...I''m really guilty! Knowing that Lily died on the day
Emma fell ill, I really..."
Seeing her tears, I felt a pang of sympathy. Victoria had always been emotional, her heart easily moved by others'' suffering. She felt as guilty as I did, though her guilt was misced.
"You were also worried about Emma," I said, patting her hand reassuringly. "You couldn''t have
known about Lily."
Victoria leaned into my embrace, sobbing with convincing despair. Her body trembled against
mine, her tears soaking through my shirt.
"But I really feel guilty... That was Lily... Your daughter...I really wanted to treat her as my own."
(Victoria''s POV)
I sobbed against Ethan''s chest, my tears flowing freely. Years of practice had made me an
expert at crying onmand.
Inside, I felt nothing but relief. Lily was dead and buried, no longer a threat to my ns. The daughter who might have eventually revealed my true nature to Ethan was gone forever.
I had worried when Ethan first mentioned Lily''s death. Had Olivia told him everything? Did he know about the kidney transnt that should have gone to Lily but went to Emma instead? Did he suspect my role in redirecting that donor?
But his reaction had confirmed my safety. He knew nothing of my involvement. He still saw me as thepassionate friend who would never harm a child.
If only he knew the truth-that I had personally ensured the kidney meant for Lily went to Emma instead. That I had manipted medical records, bribed officials, and threatened a
doctor to make it happen.
Emma had needed that kidney. My daughter''s life was worth more than Lily''s-at least to me. I
would have sacrificed a hundred children to save Emma.
< Chapter 103 Lily''s Death
And now, standing at Lily''s grave, I continued my performance. I wept for the child I had
helped kill, all while nning my next move to secure my position in Ethan''s life.
+15 Points >
"But I really feel guilty... That was Lily... Your daughter...I really wanted to treat her as my own."
The words tasted like ash in my mouth. I had never wanted to treat Lily as my own. I had
wanted her gone, out of the way, no longerpeting with Emma for Ethan''s attention or
resources.
I nced at the Crystal-Embroidered Ice Princess Gown Ethan had brought. I remembered how
Lily had begged for that exact dress-the same one I had bought for Emma. I had delighted in
her disappointment, in the tears she had tried to hide from her father.
Now Ethan was bringing it to her grave, toote for her to ever wear it. The irony was delicious.
I pressed closer to Ethan, making my body tremble with false grief. He held me tighter, his
strong arms offeringfort I didn''t deserve or need.
Over his shoulder, I stared at Lily''s tombstone. The colored photograph showed a smiling child
with Olivia''s emerald eyes. Those eyes had always unnerved me-too observant, too knowing.
Even at four years old, Lily had seemed to see through my facade.
Good riddance, I thought, even as I continued to sob dramatically.
"But I really feel guilty... That was Lily... Your daughter...I really wanted to treat her as my own."