Chapter 2

Serena's POV "Are you just going to let him do that? That bastard! After he cheated so many times, he doesn't even want a divorce! I want to barge into his office right now and kill him!" When I told my cousin Selina the reason for my argument with Taylor last night, she immediately said angrily. I had my hands on the steering wheel and sighed, "Selina, calm down. Last night I was too angry too, that's why I brought up divorce...you know, for now I don't want to hurt Millie, she needs her father." "Serena!" she groaned. "Millie needs a happy mother more. Or are you still in love with that bastard!" Do I still love Taylor? This morning after watching Taylor leave, when I thought about separating from him, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. Maybe, for the past six years I've always loved Taylor, never stopped. No matter how many times he showed he didn't care about me. And Millie, when I thought about Millie asking me why I'm separating from Taylor, her disappointed expression, it felt like the air was cut off from my throat. I couldn't breathe... I took a deep breath, then said, "Selina...you don't understand marriage, before I got married, I swore that once my husband cheated, I would leave without hesitation. But when I had a child, I found...I couldn't do it so decisively anymore." "Maybe you think I'm weak, stupid. But the fact is, when Millie was born, I found myself becoming a coward." I lowered my head, the road ahead suddenly turned into an ocean, I was drifting on it, feeling lost inside. Seeing my vulnerability, Selina stroked my shoulder and gently comforted me, "Serena, I just hope you can be happier, I believe Millie would want that too. Maybe you can try communicating the current situation with her." "Okay..." I answered with a choked voice. Before my depression comes back to me, I need to cheer up quickly. No matter what, I need to get rid of Taylor's influence on me. "I wish Auntie and Uncle were here..." The car stopped, and she hugged me again. I felt a lot better. Selina was right, if my parents hadn't had that accident, I believe Taylor and I might not even have crossed paths. But I have to face reality, I pushed Selina away, my assistant's name appeared on my phone screen again. "Selina, don't worry, I'm a doctor, I remember my duty, I'll be responsible for any of my patients." After saying that, I blinked and walked into the hospital. When I reached the hospital, I was immediately occupied by the patients scheduled for the day. It was past lunchtime when I received a call from Maria. She never called me without a valid reason so I immediately answered the call in case of emergency. “Hello, Maria?” [Serena! I couldn't contact your husband. Can you come over to Millie’s school? She got injured and she won’t stop crying.] My heart skipped a beat in worry and fear. I immediately grabbed my bag and car keys, not even bothered that I was just wearing comfortable slippers and still wearing the lab gown. “I’ll be there quickly. Try to calm her down, Maria.” [Okay. Drive safely.] I immediately hung up the phone, ran towards the elevator, and called Taylor while walking towards the garage. Busy tone, then voicemail! Bastard! He's always not around at critical moments. Does Millie really need a father who's never there for her? By the time I reached Millie's kindergarten, I was out of breath. The teacher was waiting for me at the entrance and immediately told me what happened as we quickly walked towards the nurse's office. "Mrs. Walter, she was playing with her friends when she suddenly tripped and fell. Her arm hit the table, just a minor bleeding, but I'm concerned about infection or other issues, so I still recommend taking her to the hospital for further examination," the teacher said apologetically. I immediately found Millie and checked her condition. "Mommy!" Millie saw me. “Sweetie…” I kissed her forehead and caressed her hair. She’s already so sweaty. I held her carefully, trying not to hurt her bruised arm. She whimpered in my arms, "Mommy, where's daddy?" "Daddy is busy, sweetie. Mommy will take you to the doctor first and Daddy will join us soon. Is that okay?" She nodded tearfully but disappointment couldn't be hidden in her eyes. I sighed, carrying her out of the school to the nearby clinic. "Don't worry, Mrs. Walter. Her arm has got some scrapes but nothing serious. Just be careful not to wet the wound when you bathe her." I nodded and walked out of the medical room only to catch Millie sitting on the hallway bench with her head hung low and Maria accompanied her with a worried face. My little girl must be sad that her Daddy hadn't shown up yet. I tried calling Tyler again but I gritted my teeth when the call was directed to the voicemail—for the nth time. I can't believe him! What the hell is he doing now?! I dropped the phone and walked to Millie, ready to take her home. But as soon as I crouched down in front of her, I sensed that she was unusually depressed. “Hey sweetie, what happened?” I asked softly, caressing her face. Tears welled up in her eyes again, "Mommy, why didn't Daddy answer me?” and her voice shook, "Does...Does Daddy not want me?” "What?" I asked, frowning. Maria, standing aside, was hesitant to say. I turned to her, "What happened, Maria?" "Millie was just a little bored so I took her out on the balcony for a while and then she saw..." her voice grew fainter yet Millie wept first. "I saw Daddy with another kid! I called him but he didn't answer me! Daddy doesn't want me!" My mind went blank and I felt my blood freeze. I was about to call Tyler again when my private investigator sent me a message with a picture attached to it. My heart clenched in anger. In the photo was my husband, accompanying a familiar woman while carrying a boy in his arms. And they just stepped out of this same clinic! The last bit of faith I had in holding on to this marriage was shattered. When Catherine Smith came back, I had no chance of winning. And Tyler had just proved it with his actions.