My Daughter’s Tears Chapter 1

The day I retired, my daughter arrived in tears. Her startup had failed, she said, leaving her a million dollars in debt. Fearing loan sharks would come for her and my grandson, I begged the hospital to rehire me and took on every side job I could find.

Days were spent in surgery, nights driving for Uber and delivering food. I saved every cent for her debt, but the strain broke my health—I developed stomach cancer.

When she saw the diagnosis, my daughter held me tight, crying, “Hospitals are too expensive, treatments are torture. Chemo makes your hair fall out. The doctor said it’s just inflammation. Let’s see a naturopath—herbs will cure you.”

I believed her. She talked me out of treatment, and my early cancer spread until it was terminal.

On my deathbed, I discovered the truth: her startup had succeeded years before. She was worth millions, spending five figures daily, a VIP at Hermès. She’d buy jewelry to please her mother-in-law but not pay to save me.

Her poverty was an act of revenge—because years earlier, I’d saved her husband from a crash but couldn’t save his leg.

Rage choked me; my soul shook.

Then I opened my eyes. I was back—ten years earlier, on the day of my son-in-law’s car crash.

* * *

“Director, my mom has decided against the fellowship abroad. She won’t be signing the contract.”

The moment I saw my daughter, Chloe, walking into the hospital with my grandson, Nathan, a cold dread washed over me. Something was terribly wrong. I glanced at the date on the contract in my hands, and my heart stopped. I was back.

I had been reborn at the turning point of my career. The hospital administration wanted to groom me for a leadership position, and they had secured a prestigious, fully-funded international fellowship just for me.

In my past life, to stay close to Chloe, I had turned down this priceless opportunity.

The hospital director shook his head, his face a mask of disappointment. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, Sarah. There’s only one spot. If you’re not going, I’ll have to offer it to someone else.”

A bomb went off in my head. A once-in-a-lifetime chance. I couldn't let it slip through my fingers again. I would not hand this victory to someone else.

Just as the director began to pull the contract back, my hand shot out, pressing it flat against the desk. My voice trembled, a raw, desperate sound I barely recognized as my own.

“I’ll go.”

The director paused, surprised. “But Sarah, it’s a three-year program. Aren’t you worried your daughter will resent you?”

Resent me?

Even when I had devoted my entire existence to her family, putting her first at every turn, sacrificing my own health and happiness, what did I get in return? Nothing but blame and resentment. She wouldn't even shed a single tear at my grave.

Only now, in this second life, did I finally understand. I could neglect anyone in the world, but I could never again neglect myself.

“The hospital has shown such faith in me, offering me this incredible opportunity to grow. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

With that, I pulled the pen from my coat pocket, ready to sign. An opportunity like this wouldn't wait.

But before the ink could touch the paper, Chloe snatched the pen from my hand. She hurled it to the floor. It shattered, and a black stain bloomed across the pristine white tiles, like a spreading wound.

Her face crumpled, and she began to sob, great, gulping breaths that left her gasping for air.

“I don’t want you to go!” she wailed. “Mom, if you leave, what will we do? Nathan’s about to start middle school—it’s such a critical time! How can you even think about going abroad now? You’re too old for this kind of foolishness!”

She clutched at her heart dramatically. “We all depend on you! What will we eat? Who will clean the house? Nathan’s clothes only ever get really clean when you wash them by hand! How can you be so cruel?”

So, she knew what it was to struggle. My entire life had revolved around her, a life of endless labor and sacrifice.

She wiped at her tears, her face a picture of pitiable misery. “Director, you’re doctors. You save lives. Patients worship you. You’re forcing my mother to go abroad against her will! Last night, she held me and promised she wouldn't leave. I’m begging you, on my knees, please don’t force her to go.”

As she spoke, she gave Nathan a sharp nudge. His face puckered, and he burst into a theatrical wail.

“Grandma, don’t go! If you leave, who will give me allowance money? Mommy says you have lots of money for me!”

Before he could say more, Chloe clamped a hand over his mouth, pulling him back. Then, taking him by the hand, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor in front of the director.

The office fell into a stunned silence. The director was utterly flustered.

“My dear child, what are you doing? Get up!” he pleaded, reaching for her.

He turned to me, his expression troubled. “Dr. Sullivan, perhaps you should go home and discuss this further with your family.”

I knew that if I walked out that door, my chance would be gone forever. Countless pairs of eyes in this hospital were watching this fellowship, waiting for me to falter.

No matter what, I had to sign that contract. Today.