Chapter 60 CHAPTER 59

Chapter 60 CHAPTER 59
I stared blankly at my phone. Days had passed, yet my page still hadn't been restored despite the appeals I had submitted. I reread the comments over and over. While some believed my explanations and the actual videos I posted proving the authenticity of my products, others chose to believe the lies.
It hurt.
It hurt deeply.
I had poured my soul into building that business. I spent years losing sleep, working myself to the bone, and risking everything just to secure a decent livelihood. Yet in a single flash, it felt like it was crumbling away all because of someone who wanted to destroy me.
Because of the rampant fake news, my sales plummeted. Order cancellations came one after another. As I watched the cancellation notifications roll in, I felt the hope I had carefully nurtured being ripped away, piece by piece.
“Drink some coffee first.”
I blinked, pulled out of my thoughts by Manang Hilda’s voice. She placed a mug of hot coffee on the table.
“Thank you, Manang Hilda,” I replied softly.
I took a slow sip, but even its warmth wasn't enough to chase away the coldness enveloping my chest.
“Don’t dwell too much on what happened to your business,” she said gently. “That’s how business goes. Trials are inevitable.”
I lowered my gaze.
“I know that,” I whispered. “But it hurts because I’m not the only one affected. Even the brand that trusted me was dragged into this.”
“What happened isn't your fault.”
I closed my eyes.
If only it were that easy to believe those words.
If only I could wash away the heavy guilt and exhaustion weighing me down.
Taking a deep breath, I leaned back against the chair.
“It feels like the trials in my life are endless,” I said bitterly. “Ever since Aeros showed up again, everything has only gotten worse.”
Manang Hilda looked at me silently.
“Could his wife be the one behind the spread of the fake news?”
I nodded slightly.
“That’s what I’m thinking, too. But I don't have any evidence.”
“Which is why it’s better for you to be careful. Not everyone is happy to see you rise.”
I swallowed hard.
She was right.
In this world, being a good person isn't enough. Sometimes, you also have to learn how to protect yourself from people who are willing to do anything to tear you down.
“Where's Amethyst?” I asked suddenly.
“She hasn't woken up yet.”
My eyes shot to the wall clock, widening in alarm.
“Why hasn't she woken up yet?”
I jumped to my feet and practically rushed toward the bedroom.
Upon entering, I found my daughter tightly wrapped in a thick blanket.
An ominous feeling immediately washed over me.
“Amethyst...”
I hurried to her side and pulled the blanket away from her face.
“Amethyst, are you okay?”
There was no response.
Her eyes remained shut.
My heart began to race.
I pressed my hand against her forehead.
A chill ran through my entire body.
“Oh my God...”
She was burning up.
“You have a fever.”
With trembling hands, I grabbed the thermometer. When I saw the reading, the color drained from my face.
39 degrees Celsius.
“Your fever is so high...”
It felt as though a tight fist was squeezing my heart.
I couldn't bear to see her suffer.
I couldn't let anything happen to her.
She was all I had left.
I ran out of the room and immediately approached Manang Hilda.
“What’s wrong with Amethyst?” she asked, panic in her voice.
“Her fever is incredibly high,” I replied, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I think we need to take her to the hospital right now.”
“If you ask me, we should bring her there immediately.”
I nodded.
I couldn't afford to wait any longer.
“Alright. I’ll get the car ready.”
The entire drive to the hospital was a blur of anxiety. I kept glancing at Amethyst in the rearview mirror, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.
I prayed desperately, over and over.
Please, no.
Please, not my daughter.
The moment we arrived at the hospital, the doctors attended to her immediately.
“Doctor, what’s wrong with my daughter?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“For now, we only see a high fever. Let’s wait for the results of the laboratory tests first.”
I nodded.
But the dread in my chest didn't fade.
After the doctor left, Amethyst slowly fluttered her eyes open.
“Mommy...”
Hearing her voice felt like a massive weight being lifted off my chest.
I immediately leaned closer to her.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” I asked, gently stroking her hair. “Does anything hurt?”
She looked at me with weak, weary eyes.
“Mommy... my hand hurts.”
My eyes fell on the IV drip attached to her tiny hand.
A sharp pang struck my chest.
She was far too young to go through all of this.
“It will only be for a little while, baby,” I said softly, swallowing back my tears. “You’ll get well soon.”
“Mommy...”
“What is it, sweetheart?” I asked.
She whispered that she had dreamed of her father.
I knew there was a part of her heart that felt empty. And as a mother, that was the one thing I could never fulfill, no matter how much I loved her.
“Really?” I forced a smile. “What did you dream about?”
“I saw Daddy...” she replied weakly.
“Where is he?”
“In heaven.”
I gasped.
It felt like someone had gripped my heart and squeezed it tightly.
“I saw him with white wings,” she continued. “He was smiling at me.”
I looked away.
Tears quickly pooled in my eyes.
I didn't know why, but at that exact moment, I wanted to cry for my daughter.
For all the moments she would never experience having a father by her side.
For all the questions I would have to answer someday.
And for the brutal truth that no matter how much I loved her, there were things I could never give her. Because introducing her to her real father was an absolute impossibility. First of all, Aeros was about to have a child of his own. Second, Isabel would surely be furious if she found out I was running after Aeros. And third, I was terrified that Aeros might take her away from me.
I forced another smile. “He’s watching over you because your Daddy knows you’re sick. He wants you to get well so Mommy won't have to worry.”
She looked up at me. “Mommy, I’ll get better so you won't worry about me.”
I smiled, feeling a bit relieved. “What kind of food do you want? Mommy will buy it for you.”
“I want rice porridge and a boiled egg.”
I nodded. “Alright, Mommy will just step out to buy some.”
I was about to leave when Amethyst caught my hand. “Mommy, don’t leave. Just call Lola Hilda to buy the porridge. I want you to stay here by my side.”
I smiled and kissed her forehead. “Alright, I’ll call your Lola Hilda so she can cook some porridge for you.”
She beamed. “Thank you, Mommy!”
“You’re welcome. I love you.”
“I love you too.”