Each pnded heavily on my face, leaving red marks across my pale skin. I wasn''t pretending anymore; the pain helped ground me in this moment of panic.


    Ethan finally moved, his strong hands gripping my wrists to stop me from hitting myself


    again.


    "Stop it," hemanded, his voice rough.


    I looked up at him through tear-soakedshes. Even now, he couldn''t bear to see me hurt


    myself. There was still hope.


    "I''m sorry," I sobbed. "I was so scared, Ethan. When I found out Emma needed a kidney, I was


    +15 Points


    I let my body sag against his grip, appearing weak and broken. "The doctors said there was a


    Ethan''s grip on my wrists tightened slightly. I continued, my voice trembling with emotion.


    "I called Nathan because I knew he could help. I told him Emma was your daughter and


    needed the kidney urgently." I looked up at him imploringly. "I didn''t tell him Lily was your


    daughter too. I... I didn''t think he knew."


    I took a shuddering breath. "After the surgery, I checked on Lily''s condition. The doctors said


    she was stable, that they would find another donor soon. I truly believed she would recover."


    My voice dropped to a whisper. "When I heard she died, I was devastated. I never wanted that,


    Ethan. Never."


    I could see the conflict in his eyes. He wanted to believe me, but doubt still lingered.


    It was time for my final move. I needed to shift some of the me.


    "Do you remember that day?" I asked softly. "The day Lily died?"


    Ethan''s expression darkened. "What about it?"


    "You had promised to meet her at Moonlight Fair," I reminded him gently. "But instead, you came with me and Emma to Enchanted Kingdom Theme Park."


    I saw the sh of guilt in his eyes and pressed on. "If you had been there with her,” I whispered, my voice trembling, "perhaps her condition wouldn''t have worsened so suddenly..."


    (Ethan''s POV)


    Victoria''s words hit me like a physical blow. She was right. I had promised to meet Lily at Moonlight Fair that day, but I had chosen to go with Victoria and Emma to Enchanted Kingdom Theme Park instead.


    My amber eyes darkened with self-loathing as I realized my role in my own daughter''s death. I