She Sacrificed Our Child for the Other Woman’s Child

My wife was a good doctor in her patients' eyes.

But to save her illicit lover's child, she swapped a girl's medicine.

She watched the seriously injured girl dying in agony.

She didn't know that the disfigured little girl in the car wreck as her own daughter.

The poor little girl sneaked out on Christmas just to see her.

Later, she called the girl's family member, hoping they'd consent to organ donation.

Then my phone rang inside the room.

......

My daughter and I were rushed to the hospital after the crash, but surgery kept getting delayed because the attending surgeon hadn't arrived.

Somehow, after getting knocked out, I felt like my soul left my bodyfloating helplessly by my daughter's side in a panic.

Just as I was frantic with worry, an ER nurse snapped:

Wheres Dr. Susan? This girls gonna die!

A colleague hesitated. I paged her. Dr. Harrison said shed be late. That little boy was unhappy with his lunch.

Susan Harrison cant tell whats urgent? This child is dying!

Susan Harrison?

Hearing that familiar name, I realized we had been taken to my wifes hospital.

She was the best pediatrician in Riverside City. With her here, my girl would make it!

When everyone was eagerly waiting, Susan finally hurried in.

She glanced at our bloodied daughter on the gurney.

I saw a flicker of impatience in her eyes.

It was so quick I thought it's just an illusion.

I shook my head. I must have been wrong.

Susan lived by her oath to heal. How could she be so cold?

The OR lights finally blinked on.

I finally relieved.

Then I turned and saw my own unconscious body in another ER bay.

A doctor stood nearby, scribbling notes. He has mild concussion and skull fracture. But he's okay for now.

But it didn't make me feel any better.

I wished itd been me hit by that car.

The memory gutted me.

It was Christmas. During dinner, Susan got a call and left for the hospital.

Lily sneaked out later, wanting to find Mom at work.

I spotted her by the roadside just as a sedan hurtled toward her.

I lunged to shove her asidetoo late.

I could only watch that tiny body crumple under the wheels.

Lilys face was mangled. The braids Id woven that morning were torn, tangled with blood and grime.

Her bunny pajamas were stained by blood and dirt.

It was killing me imagining her small body on that operating table.

Why?

Why didnt I protect her?

Guilt swallowed me whole.

Then I remembered that Susan was the surgeon.

My panic eased.

Thank God shes here.

I waited outside the OR all day until Lily was wheeled to the ICU.

Seeing her head wrapped in white bandages felt like knives twisting in my chest.

Id trade my life for hers.

Susan scanned Lilys charts, barely glancing up as she asked a nurse:

Have we got in touch with her family?

The nurse shook her head and told her,

"She was hit by a car, and the driver just left.

A passerby called 911.

The girl wore only pajamas, and we found no clues of her information.".

Authorities issued alerts, but no one had come here.

Susan frowned. Those parents are irresponsible! How could they don't know their kid was lost!

Her words carved deeper into my shame.

That night, after Susan left, Lily kept crying for her mom.

Daddy, teacher said all family members should share dinner together on Christmas

Wheres Mommy? Is she still mad at me?

She wiped her tears with small hands.

Lily will behave, and. wont make Ethan angry again.

Ethan was the son of Susans ex, Chase.

The boy was born with congenital heart disease.

After Chases divorce, he brought Ethan to Susans hospital.

Ever since, shed talked more about Ethan at homecalling Lily spoiled,and selfish.

Even when Ethan tore Lilys doll or yanked her hair, it was Lilys fault.

My girls eyes reddened.

When Ethan visited, shed hide in her room.

Susan would drag her out coldly to make her apologize to him.

Id calmed things down back then.

Now, the memory soured my throat.

I stroked Lilys hair.

Mommys a doctor. She saves people first. She cares about you, Lily. She just has more important work to do.

Lilys eyes sparkled. She said quietly but firmly, Mommys the best! She is Lilys superhero!

I smiled, carried her to bed, then went to grab a storybook from the study.

But when I turnedLily was gone!

I couldn't find her in the house, and then found the front door stood wide open.

I bolted outside barefoot, racing down the streetbut

A familiar voice cut through my regret at the door.

Susan! Come quick! Ethans crashing!

Chase? Whys he here?

Before I could process it, Susanalways so composeddropped her chart and sprinted out.

In Ethans room, Susan examined him carefully, then her brow furrowed.

He was fine this morning

Chase choked back sobs, collapsing to his knees.

If he dies I cant live!

Susan paled and helped him up.

Stop thinking about that! Well find a heart match!

But where? Ethans so young

Susan pressed her lips tight.

I felt bad.

Chase was Susans first love, but shed sworn they were just friends now.

But still the kid was innocent.

Chase clung to Susan, begging:

Susan, please save him. Hes my life! My only son. You wouldnt let him die, right?

You promisedonce Ethans recovered, youd leave Daniel and marry me. Save him! Hell be your son too!

I was shocked.

No.

Impossible!

Shed said the past was in the past!

Helping Chase was just because they grew up together.

She lied?

But she didnt deny it.

Not a word.

She was hesitated. Finally, she replied softly:

Okay. I promise.

My heart froze.

Since Chase returned, Susan had turned cold.

She blamed on hospital stress, saying she was exhausted.

I believed her.

Such a Fool!

Chase exhaled. Thank God. You know Ethan adores you. Only you can calm him at meals He cries if you dont call

I was speechless.

So those emergencies were feeding her lover's kid.

While my Lily fought for life, she spoon-fed another man's child.

I wanted to laugh, loudly.

Our happy bubble had burst.

Wed been the joke all along.

Susan was tired.

But it's hard to find a heart immediately... My have some money, if we give tham a good price, maybe someone would like to....

Susan! There is one! Chase whipped out a prepped compatibility report.

The girl in ICU. She hasno family, right?

My blood turned to ice.

I launched myself at Chase. I really wanted to kill him.

How dare he?

How dare he target my Lily!

But my fists passed through him like smoke.

I turned to Susan, pleading silently:

Please. Dont.

Ill let you go. Well divorce!

Just let Lily live!

You swore the Hippocratic Oath!

Susan didnt hear.

I hopelessly saw she paled and nodded.

Ill help you.

The moment she agreed, I saw Ethaneyes shut moments agonow opened. He exchanged a triumphant glance with Chase.

Despite my screams, Susan walked to Lilys room.

Tears streamed down my soul. I had one last hope:

Recognize her.

Even if you never loved me, even if you broke every vow....

Shes your daughter.

Lily wore those bunny pajamasthe last gift Susan gave her a year ago.

It was too small now, but Lily cherished them.

After Chase and Ethan appeared, Susan forgot Lily existed.

No more clothes or hugs for her.

Lily wore those pajamas like armor.

My heart hammered.

See the bunnies and recoganize her.

But Susan eyed the bloodstained pajamas in a heap and tossed them in the trash.

Pathetic. Who would dress their kids in such dirty clothes? So irresponsible

She ordered the nurse out, and stayed alone with Lily.

No! Stay!

I tried to grab at the nurses sleeve, but I couldn't make it.

The door clicked shut. I was extremely scaried.

I watched Susan approaching the bed and unhooking an IV bag.

She pulled out another and peeled off its label.

She looked down at Lily.

And Lilyas if sensing heropened her eyes.

Through bloody bandages, her eyes blinked.

Mommys here.

Susans hand trembled. She hesitated.

Then whispered,

Dont blame on me.

I couldn't breathe anymore.

She didnt know she's her daughter!

Lily beamed. She thought her Mommy came to save her.

Her said quietly,

Mommys a superhero.

Under that adoring gaze, Susan didnt hesitate.

She swapped the IV bag.

I howled soundlessly. The scene is gonna kill me.

Susan stayed here all the time to cover her tracks.

Cold liquid flowed into Lilys veins.

She shivered in pain.

Susan just watched her coldly, waiting for her death.