Regret and Redemption Chapter 2

"Daddy, I'm so cold."

My daughter’s sudden murmur from my arms broke my thoughts.

"Daddy, isn't Mommy here yet? I think I might have to sleep soon…"

I looked down at her.

Her lips moved faintly, her voice growing weaker.

"Daddy, please ask Mommy not to be mad at me, okay? When she comes, I'll definitely wake up…"

I wanted to comfort her.

But the words caught in my throat, choked by sobs.

I fought back the agony, finally managing to squeeze out some words.

"Lily, be good, don't sleep yet! Mommy's coming right now! Right now!"

Under my relentless barrage of calls.

Evelyn finally answered.

I hurriedly put the phone on speaker.

And turned up the volume, holding it to Lily’s ear.

Wanting her, in her final moments.

To hear the voice of the mother she longed for.

But the next second after the call connected.

Evelyn’s voice, a torrent of abuse, blasted through the speaker.

"Ethan Miller! You're really getting into this act, aren't you! Calling and texting over and over!"

"That idiot you fathered—I wouldn't care if she really died!"

"Since you love playing the victim so much! Then today, I'll let you know what real misery is!"

Before Evelyn could spell out my punishment.

I heard the clear, bright voice of Mark Evans, her old flame.

"Evelyn, come quick! Hailey's competition broadcast is starting! We're just waiting for you to watch!"

"Yeah! Auntie Evelyn! I promise Lily is fine! I was playing with her earlier today!" Hailey chirped.

"You said you wouldn't take any calls today and only spend time with Hailey!"

"Okay, okay, only with Hailey. Auntie Evelyn is all yours today!" Evelyn cooed.