Love Story3–Chapter 1 

The day Abby, my little daughter, was wheeled into surgery, I called Ethan countless times. It went straight to voicemail, every single time. Thankfully, the surgery went well. When she woke up, her eyes darted around the room, searching. She tugged on my sleeve. 

“What is it, honey?” I whispered, leaning closer. “Are you feeling okay? Should I get the 

octor?” 

She shook her head. “Mommy, where’s Daddy?” 

My heart clenched. I brushed her hair back, forcing a smile. “Daddy’s busy at work. I’ll call 

him.” 

She nodded, her little face filled with trust. 

But as I stepped out of the room, my phone calls were met with the same automated message. I leaned against the wall, a wave of nausea washing over me. 

Years ago, Ethan had told me I would get what I deserved. But I never imagined my punishment would fall upon my child. 

Unable to reach him, and unwilling to disappoint Abby, I left her with the nurses and went to get her favorite chicken noodle soup. 

As I stood in line, I spotted him. Ethan. With Serena Nolan, the woman he had loved before me. The woman I thought was dead. They were laughing, oblivious to my presence. I 

stared, frozen, until they disappeared into the crowd. 

Did he really not see me? Or was he pretending? 

I pushed the thought away, focusing on getting back to Abby. 

But when I returned, her bed was empty. The nurse told me she had gone into shock and was rushed back into surgery. 

I ran to the operating room, the words “Surgery in Progress” flashing above the door like a cruel taunt. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise. I couldn’t breathe. 

I prayed, desperately, for my daughter to come back to me, 

But the doctor’s words shattered my hopes. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Carter. We did everything we 

could.” 

They wheeled her out, her small body still, her face pale. I sank to my knees, begging them to save her, to bring her back. 

But they weren’t miracle workers. They couldn’t bring back the dead. 

I held her, her tiny hand cold in mine, feeling her life slip away, minute by agonizing 

minute. 

At two in the morning, I tried calling Ethan again. Still no answer.. 

What could possibly be so important that he couldn’t even answer a phone call? 

I went to our apartment, then to his office, hoping to find him, to tell him about Abby, to let him say goodbye to his daughter. 

But his assistant just shook his head. “Ethan isn’t here, Mrs. Carter. Would you like me to try calling him?” 

He blocked my path to Ethan’s office, as if hiding something. 

Frustrated, I pushed past him. 

The office was empty. 

I laughed, a hollow, empty sound. 

He never loved me. How could he possibly love Abby? 

Tears streamed down my face as I turned to leave. “Don’t tell him I was here.” 

The city was alive with lights, with people rushing about their lives. 

But my daughter was gone.