(Victoria''s POV)


    I faced Ethan''s disappointed amber eyes, feeling my tears fall harder. My body trembled as I shook my head desperately.


    "No, it''s not like that," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "Lily was your daughter, how could I not


    value her life?"


    I clutched at my chest, the pain there feeling almost real. "I saw Lily''s medical records at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den. At that time, Lily''s condition wasn''t so serious."


    Ethan''s expression remained hard, unmoved by my tears. This had never happened before.


    "I thought Lily could still wait, but my Emma, she couldn''t wait," I continued, my voice rising


    with desperation. "Without that kidney, Emma would die..."


    I let my tears flow freely now, not the delicate, pretty tears I usually produced for effect, but


    ugly, desperate sobs that wracked my entire body. I truly felt vulnerable and desperate.


    Without Ethan, I had nothing.


    "Please, Ethan," I whispered. "You have to understand. I was protecting our daughter."


    His silence was deafening. The coldness in his eyes terrified me more than any anger could


    have.


    Seeing that he showed no signs of softening, I suddenly raised my hand and pped myself


    hard across the face.


    "It''s my fault!" I cried, pping myself again. "I should die!"