For My Daughter Chapter 2

I stayed by Jessica's bedside for two weeks, never leaving her side, before she finally woke from the coma.

When she saw me, she stared for a few seconds, her eyes wide with disbelief, before a raw, ragged sob broke from her lips. She was a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering—her eyes swollen, her face a ghostly white.

"Mom! You're really back… I missed you so much…"

Her voice was a choked whisper. "I thought I'd never see you again…"

Her desperate, broken words twisted a knife in my heart. I raised my hand to comfort her, but when I saw the landscape of bruises and cuts covering her body, my fingers froze in mid-air.

She had always been so afraid of pain, so meticulous about her appearance. Now, that monster Edward had beaten her into a broken thing, forced to live with a colostomy bag for the rest of her days. I couldn't imagine the depths of her despair.

"It's okay, Jessica. Shh, don't be afraid. Mom's back now. Mom will get you justice."

A bitter, humorless smile touched her lips. Her eyes were hollow, filled with a terrifying emptiness as she looked at me. "It's useless, Mom. I've been trying to divorce that monster for years. No lawyer will take my case. Even the police are on their side."

She took a shuddering breath. "They have eyes everywhere. No matter where I run, his family finds me. Every time I think I'm finally free, he hunts me down like a cat toying with a mouse and drags me back."

Her voice cracked. "Mom… I don't want to live anymore."

Her words felt like a hand squeezing my heart, tight and merciless. I reached out, my touch feather-light, and stroked her head, just as I had when she was a little girl.

After I coaxed her to sleep, I went to the hospital director's office. I needed her official medical report, the proof I would take to the courthouse to file charges against Edward.

The director's response sent my world crashing down.

"Domestic disputes are complicated," he said dismissively. "It takes two to tango. If she hadn't done something to provoke him, why would he hit her?"

I trembled with rage. It was abuse, pure and simple. What right did Edward have to lay a hand on her?

The director waved his hand, his tone patronizing. "Edward's uncle is a judge. How do you plan to fight someone like that?" He then delivered the final blow, a veiled threat. If I dropped the matter, the family would cover all of Jessica's medical expenses. "Look, your son-in-law already spoke to us. If you cause any trouble, your daughter can't be treated here anymore. And if something… happens to her after that, don't blame us for being heartless."

I stared at his ugly, smug face, a storm of fury and helplessness raging inside me. I wouldn't give up. I would get justice for my daughter, or I would die trying.

The director laughed, a sound dripping with scorn. "Who is your son-in-law? He's a lawyer with power and connections. And you? You're nobody." He leaned forward. "Take my advice and give up. Go home and think about it. He's been good to your daughter, all things considered. He gave her a home. If you keep pushing this, you'll ruin what's left of her life."

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, drawing blood. Edward had done this to Jessica, and we were supposed to be grateful?

I couldn't believe it. Was there truly no place in this world for justice?

Suddenly, a nurse's frantic voice echoed from down the hall.

"Code Blue! The patient in 302—she tried to kill herself!"