Chapter 150

Richard's POV

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at Emma's private clinic. Emma immediately went to work, administering an injection to Lily while explaining her diagnosis.

"It's a fungal infection," she said confidently as she checked Lily's vitals. "Not bacterial, which is why the antibiotics weren't working."

I watched anxiously as she worked, relieved to see Lily's breathing slowly becoming more regular. "Fungal?"

"Exactly." Emma's expression turned thoughtful as she prepared another medication. "Though I'm puzzled how she contracted a fungal infection."

Within an hour, Lily's fever had noticeably dropped. The color gradually returned to her cheeks, and her breathing stabilized. Emma continued monitoring her closely, occasionally taking blood samples for further testing.

After confirming Lily was stable, Emma turned to me, her expression hardening. "If you had been even a few hours later, Richard, do you know what could have happened?"

The question hit me like a physical blow.

"Do you realize how serious this was?" She continued relentlessly. "What's more important to you? Your business deals or your child's life?"

Her words stung because they echoed my own self-recriminations. I remained silent, my jaw clenched tight.

"I need to run more tests on her blood," Emma said, her tone slightly softened. "Something about this infection doesn't feel right." She gathered her equipment and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my sleeping daughter.

---

I spent the entire night by Lily's bedside, Emma's accusatory questions echoing in my mind. Of course my children are more important than any business deal. If I could choose, I would sacrifice everything for them without hesitation.

But their mother had chosen differently.

The bitter thought circled in my mind as I watched Lily's chest rise and fall with each breath. Elena had walked away from all of this – from our family, from her responsibilities. From our children.

My phone vibrated with an incoming message. I opened it to find a photo of Elena with William, looking carefree and radiant. The timestamp showed it was taken just hours ago at some upscale restaurant.

White-hot rage coursed through me.

Just then, Lily stirred, her eyelids fluttering open.

"Daddy?" Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.

I immediately leaned closer. "I'm here, sweetheart. How are you feeling?"

Her small face crumpled, tears welling in her eyes. "Where did you go?"

"I'm sorry, Lily. I had to go away for work, but I'm back now." I stroked her hair gently.

She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with a sadness no six-year-old should know. "Daddy, you and mommy don't want us anymore, do you? Are you really getting divorced?"

The question knocked the wind from my lungs. This vibrant little girl who normally brightened every room with her laughter and mischief now looked utterly broken, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

"No, Lily," I said softly, gathering her into my arms. "How could we ever leave you? You, Max, and Kathy are the most precious things in our lives."

"But Mommy's already gone," she persisted, her small voice trembling. "She doesn't want us anymore, does she?"

I froze, unable to find the right words. Maybe she truly doesn't want to come back.

Elena's POV

"One million dollars in a single day," I murmured, staring at the transaction confirmation on my screen.

Recently, Oliver had unexpectedly assigned me to handle a major investment project, which had just yielded an extraordinary return. This felt almost too easy, making me wonder about his sudden generosity.

Just before this, we had been in conflict because I had bypassed him to contact the head of Pinnacle Engineering Group to close a deal, but now he had entrusted me with such a profitable project.

"Dennis!" I called out excitedly. "Come see this!"

When he appeared in the doorway, I grinned triumphantly. "How about we celebrate? What would you like? I'll buy you anything you want."

Dennis's response surprised me. "No need. I don't want anything. You should save that money for emergencies."

I studied his face, noticing his behavior had changed again, returning to his previous simple and nervous demeanor.

"Are you sure?" I pressed. "We could at least go out for dinner."

"I'm fine, Elena. Really." His tone was polite but firm as he retreated to his room.

This pattern continued for a week. I'd work with Oliver during the day, earning substantial commissions, then transfer the money to Mason's account each evening. Dennis remained unusually quiet, disappearing into his room immediately after dinner.

Then came the call that shattered everything.

"Elena, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Mason's voice thundered through the phone.

"Mason, I—"

"Do you think money can fix everything? That you can just buy your way back into our good graces after what happened?"

"No, it's not like that," I protested weakly. "I just wanted to help—"

"Help?" He laughed bitterly. "If you really want to help, maybe you should check on your children instead of throwing money at us."

The line went dead, leaving me frozen in place.

I stood there for what felt like hours, phone still clutched in my trembling hand, tears silently streaming down my face. Something long suppressed within me broke free – maternal instinct rushing back like a dam bursting.

With shaking fingers, I dialed Highland Estate.

"Ms. Winter?" Anna's voice was unexpectedly cold. "You finally remembered you have children here?"

I swallowed hard. "Anna, please. How are they? Are they okay?"

"Okay?" Her laugh was harsh. "Where were you two weeks ago when Max was sick? Where are you now when Lily is so ill she barely recognizes anyone? Do you even care?"

The words hit me like physical blows. I collapsed to the floor, my face draining of color.

"Elena?" Dennis rushed to my side, alarmed by my state. "What happened?"

I looked up at him, my decision already made. "I have to go back to Highland Estate. Right now."