For His First Love, He Gave Away Our Child

Just because I refused to give my husband’s childhood sweetheart my emergency parking spot, she ended up dying in an accident.

On the surface, my husband Ethan Miller didn’t blame me. But when our daughter Lily went away to summer camp, he handed her over to kidnappers.

When I learned the truth, tears streamed down my face. I wanted to beg Ethan to save her, only to find his phone turned off.

I went alone to rescue Lily, but instead I suffered inhuman torture and nearly lost my life.

Ethan’s childhood sweetheart, Sarah White, had kidney failure and needed regular dialysis. She asked me several times to give her my emergency parking spot.

But Sarah’s apartment complex had plenty of parking spaces in its underground lot. Renting one only cost a little over a hundred dollars a month, yet she was too stingy to pay for it. Her place was barely a mile from the hospital—just a short drive around the block.

Why did she have to fixate on mine?

“Your home is so close to the hospital. Why insist on my spot? This spot is reserved by the hospital for attending physicians. I can’t lend or transfer it, otherwise I’ll be fired for breaking hospital policy.”

Sarah cursed under her breath, then went to complain to Ethan:

“Ethan, I’m practically dying, and all I asked was for Emily’s parking spot. It’s not like I wanted it for free. Once I make money, I’ll pay her back. How can she be like this?”

Ethan brought it up to me many times, but I never agreed.

The day Sarah died, I was shocked. I never expected that someone so regular with her dialysis treatments would suddenly pass away.

Her doctor told me, “Sarah wasn’t following her diet. She overate and drank. Dialysis should have been three times a week, but lately she only came once. That alone wouldn’t have killed her. But this time, she got drunk, missed her treatment, and died of poisoning at home.”

I relayed this to Ethan to clear myself of responsibility.

And indeed, I wasn’t responsible.

Ethan seemed to forgive me.

“You’re right, Emily. It wasn’t your responsibility. That spot was never Sarah’s. She was careless. Don’t blame yourself.”

He hugged me. I thought he truly forgave me. I had been so worried, but he seemed calm. That night, I even felt grateful to have such a composed husband.

When summer came, Lily, who was eight years old, needed to go to camp. Ethan didn’t bother with it, so I drove her there myself.

But on my way back, I got a call from kidnappers:

“Your daughter is with us. If you know what’s good for you, come get her. Otherwise, she’ll die young.”

“Mommy, save me! I don’t want this, I’m so scared!”

Her voice broke my heart. I wasn’t even home yet and frantically tried calling Ethan, but his phone was off. I even called his mother repeatedly, but no one answered. I had no choice but to go rescue Lily myself.

When I saw the gang leader and his men, I froze. Over a dozen men surrounded Lily, who was crying her heart out, tears streaming like a waterfall.

“Mommy, you finally came! I was so scared.”

“Let her go, or I’ll call the police!”

I threatened them, but they didn’t move.

“Lady, turn around.”

I looked back to see the path I came from blocked, the underground garage doors locked, people closing in. We were trapped.

“Lily!! Are you okay?”

Suddenly Lily broke free and ran into my arms. I held her tightly.

“It’s okay now, Lily. Mommy’s here.”

The men laughed. “No, lady. It won’t be okay. Since you came, things just got worse.”

A man who looked like the leader walked over with a sinister grin.

“Let us go! I already called the police. They’re on their way!”

“Heh, in this line of work, do you think I’m afraid of that?”

One of his men kicked me, knocking my phone away. I fell hard onto the ground. Lily sobbed, begging them not to hurt me, but they ignored her.

Soon the mob surged forward. They punched and kicked me until I passed out.

When I woke again, I thought I was in heaven. The smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the ceiling was white as snow. I pinched myself.

“Am I… in a hospital?”

I looked at my legs in disbelief. They were broken, hanging in casts.

“I… I didn’t die? I’m in a hospital? But where’s Lily?”

Panicked, I looked around, but everything was quiet. Midnight.

Then I heard whispers from the next room:

“Daddy, just because Mommy didn’t give Aunt Sarah the parking spot and caused her death, you’re getting revenge? You made me pretend to be kidnapped, then lured Mommy here so she’d get her leg broken, and now she’ll walk with a limp forever?”

“What about Mommy’s daily life?”

Ethan’s voice was cold:

“She only lost a leg. Sarah lost her life. If it weren’t for Emily’s lack of compassion, if she hadn’t coldly refused that spot, Sarah would still be alive. Besides, don’t you like Aunt Sarah too? Aren’t you glad she cared for you?”

Lily’s voice was trembling with tears:

“Yes… Aunt Sarah was so kind. Mommy’s so heartless. Aunt Sarah always bought me burgers. She was sweet. Mommy just forces me to eat broccoli. She’s too controlling.”

My blood ran cold.

So it was all fake. The kidnapping, the danger—an act. My own daughter pretended to be kidnapped, all to punish me for Sarah’s death.

When the police came to take my statement the next day, Ethan and Lily kept up their act of being a loving husband and daughter.

“Officer, in broad daylight, my daughter was kidnapped and my wife’s leg broken. I demand justice. These criminals must be caught!” Ethan said solemnly.

“It’s all my fault, officer,” Lily cried. “If I hadn’t been so naughty, those men wouldn’t have taken me, and Mommy wouldn’t be hurt like this.”

The officer patted her head gently. “Don’t worry, little one. We’ll make sure justice is served.”

After they left, Ethan took my hand.

“Feeling better, Emily? I’m sorry. My phone died. If it hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been hurt like this.”

Looking at his fake concern made me sick.

“I don’t care anymore whether you answered my call.”

“Let’s just get divorced. Tomorrow morning, County Clerk’s Office.”

Both Ethan and Lily froze.

“What? You’re in this condition and still want a divorce? Who’s going to take care of you?” Ethan asked, shocked.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Can you stop making a scene? You’re hurt. Just focus on healing instead of being unreasonable.” Ethan’s tone was impatient.

“If you don’t agree to divorce, I’ll tell the police the truth.”

I stared at him. “Tomorrow morning at the County Clerk’s Office. Don’t think I won’t show up, even if I have to hobble there on crutches.”

His face paled, his expression twisted with anger.

I longed for the divorce. What good were a husband and daughter like this?

All this, just because of a parking spot? Sarah brought her death upon herself, yet they blamed me.

Why should I stay in such a family?

Near midnight, a loud knock woke me.

Startled, I sat up to see several men entering my hospital room—disheveled, dressed like vagrants. My heart pounded.

“Who are you? This is a hospital. You’re trespassing!”

The gang leader smirked.

“What, lady? Already forgotten us? You sure have a short memory.”

My face went pale. This wasn’t simple.

“Was it Ethan? Did he send you? Tell him to come here. I’ll face him myself. I’m his wife. This is our family business. Outsiders have no right to interfere!”

I shouted, but they ignored me.

“Ethan? We don’t know him.”

“You offended the wrong person.”

“Lady, in your next life, learn to behave.”

The group surged forward. My heart seized.

“I’ll pay thirty thousand dollars—no, seventy thousand! Just stop this. Let me go!”

The leader froze for a moment, then sneered.

“Sorry. No matter how much you offer, we keep our word. Otherwise, how could we survive in this business?”

“Nothing personal, lady.”

He raised a chair leg and smashed it into my other leg. My scream tore through the night before I blacked out.

When I woke again, the world spun, but I was alive.

Alive… but both my legs were gone. Amputated.

And worse—I wasn’t whole anymore. The medical report told me the truth: my womb had been ripped from me.

Tears streamed silently down my face.

Then I heard a voice from the bathroom. Ethan, talking on the phone, on speaker.

“Daddy, because Mommy caused Aunt Sarah’s death and tried to force you to divorce, you had no choice but to send the gang again. But Daddy, you let them take Mommy’s womb. How will she ever have more children?”

Ethan’s voice was chilling:

“She has you. That’s enough. Why would she need more? Breaking her legs was the point—now she can’t push me to divorce. And I had the leader record everything. If she dares threaten me again, I’ll release it. She’ll be ruined in New York City, disgraced, abandoned even by her parents. Let’s see how she survives then.”

“But Daddy, isn’t this too cruel? Mommy will be in so much pain. And Aunt Sarah died because of her illness. You can’t blame Mommy entirely.” Lily said.

“Hmph, who else should I blame? If it weren’t for her lack of compassion, would Sarah be dead? She was my true love, the woman I could never have. I only wanted to take care of her in her final years. With latestage kidney failure, how long could she have lived? At most ten years!”

“But your mother—even with her legs broken and her womb gone—she can still live comfortably for the rest of her life. Now tell me, who’s really worse off?” Ethan said coldly.

Lily nodded. “That’s true. Aunt Sarah was so beautiful, like a fairy. Every time she came to pick me up, she dressed like an angel. Mommy, on the other hand, is plain and dull. It’s such a pity Aunt Sarah died. If only it had been Mommy instead.”

“You’d prefer Aunt Sarah to be your mother, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course!” Lily clapped her hands.

My heart sank into the abyss. I no longer felt anything for this cruel father and daughter.

After Ethan left the bathroom, I called my best friend, Jessica Parker.

“Jessica, I regret everything. I want to come back.”

Even though it was the middle of the night, Jessica quickly sobered when she heard my voice.

“Emily, is that you? What happened?”

I told her everything, and Jessica was furious.

“See? I told you before. Ethan only looks good on the outside, but inside he’s vicious. Otherwise, how could he treat you like this? Even after Sarah’s death, all he ever thinks about is her, never you, his real wife.”

I was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Enough crying. I’ll tell my professor and send my brother Daniel to pick you up. You can’t walk on your own now anyway.”

I nodded, and she hung up.

I didn’t sleep at all that night.

The next morning, the police officers came again to take my statement.

I told them everything—except Ethan’s involvement. Without evidence, he’d never admit it. And if I exposed him now, who knew if he’d have me killed? Just being alive was already a blessing.

Ethan and Lily put on another act.

“Officers, how could this happen? How could criminals attack my wife in such a heavily guarded hospital? And the same gang again? I demand a thorough investigation. Form a task force immediately!” Ethan said righteously.

The officers nodded, assuring him they’d do their best.

Lily cried as she added, “Officer, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Mommy wouldn’t have suffered like this. She’s already lost her legs. Please, please catch the bad guys!”

The officers barely glanced at her before rushing off. The incident wasn’t small, but it wasn’t big either.

Even the hospital president, vice president, and head of security came to apologize.

“Mr. Miller, we’re deeply sorry. Such a thing happening in our hospital is unacceptable. We’ll improve security. It was our negligence.”

Ethan accepted their apology, then told the medical staff, “Use the best medicine and the best doctors for my wife, no matter the cost!”

He worked hard to maintain his image as a devoted husband.

Finally, he took my hand and asked if I was feeling better.

This time I didn’t snap back. I simply said, “I’m fine.”

“Nurses, doctors, please take good care of my mommy! I’m begging you. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t be suffering like this.” Lily cried.

“What a thoughtful child. If only I had a kid like you.”

“So sensible. Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll do our best.”

I reached out my hand to Lily.

“Come here, Lily.”

“You said you’d do anything to help Mommy recover, even give me your legs, right?” I looked at her.

Lily blinked, confused, but still nodded. “Yes, Mommy. If it helps you get better, I’ll do anything.”

“Good.” I pointed to the window. “Then jump from there. Break your legs, and we’ll switch.”

Everyone’s faces changed instantly, including the doctors and nurses.

“This woman is insane! What did the child do wrong?”

“Exactly. It was the kidnappers, not the child.”

“Parents who take their anger out on children don’t deserve to be parents.”

But Lily was already running toward the window. She understood what I meant.

Ethan grabbed her just in time.

“What are you doing? Don’t jump!” he shouted at me angrily.

“Are you still making a scene? Are you insane? You want the child to pay with her life? Shouldn’t you pay for Sarah’s death instead?”

“What did the child do wrong?”

I ignored him and stared at Lily.

“Lily, you’re only eight. You’re my daughter, and already so calculating. Why didn’t you pick a quiet place to jump? You knew these people wouldn’t let you. You’re too scheming.”

My words made Lily explode.

She struggled desperately, crying out, “Daddy, let me jump! It’s my fault Mommy ended up like this. It’s all my fault. Let me jump. I was born from her. I’ll give these legs back to her.”

“Enough!” Ethan sealed the window shut.

“What do you want, Emily? Will you only stop when you drive our child to death?” he roared.

“That’s right, Emily, this is too much.”

A graceful figure appeared. I looked closely—it was Sarah’s younger sister, Sophie White.

Sophie rushed forward, hugging Lily.

“This poor child.”

“Emily, my sister may have died because of you, but I never asked you to pay with your life. I know accidents happen. I can’t blame you entirely for not giving her the emergency parking spot.”

“By the same logic, you can’t blame Lily for what happened to you. She’s just a child. You should blame the kidnappers.”

Sophie’s words drew applause from everyone around.

“Yes, that’s the right attitude. That’s maturity and decency.”

I sneered inwardly.

If it were your legs gone and your womb ripped out, would you still speak so righteously? What a joke.

Lily had already fainted from crying.

“I’ll take her to the infirmary. Sophie, stay here and keep an eye on Emily. Don’t let her cause trouble again.” Ethan said.

Ethan carried Lily away in a rush.

Sophie leaned close to me.

“Emily, honestly, I don’t hate you for Sarah’s death.”

“But what are you so proud of?” she whispered.

“When my sister was alive, you were never her match. When she was in college, I was there too. I know Ethan liked her, not you. You clung to him desperately just to make him notice you.”

“Now my sister is dead, and you’ve got Ethan all to yourself. What more do you want? Even with no legs, you’re still better off than her—she’s gone.”

“Get out!” I pointed at her. “Go join your dead sister in heaven.”

Sophie froze, then leaned into my ear.

“Emily Johnson, what are you so smug about? Don’t you know your daughter tricked you? She pretended to be kidnapped, all so you’d lose your legs. It was Ethan who told them to break your legs.”

“And you didn’t see it coming. I added seventy thousand dollars to make sure they took your womb too. How does it feel? You’ll never have children again. The only child you’ve got left is Lily—and she hates you.”

“I’ll make sure you regret this forever. You should have given my sister that parking spot. This is my revenge for her.”

“So it was you!!”

Rage boiled inside me. I slapped her hard across the face. “You vile woman!”

“Heh. Ethan’s not here. What can you do to me?” she sneered, slapping me back just as hard.

We tore at each other like wildcats, pulling hair and slapping until suddenly she let go. Her body collapsed like a broken kite.

Crash!

Her body hit the glass coffee table beside us, shards slicing into her flesh. Blood spilled across the floor.

The fragments glittered, scattered everywhere.

Just then, Ethan burst in, roaring, “What are you doing? Bullying Sophie!”

Of course. This scheming woman knew exactly when to play her part.

“What’s your problem, Emily? First you nearly drove Lily to her death, and now you hurt Sophie? Apologize!” Ethan glared at me, then helped Sophie up.

“It wasn’t Emily’s fault. I fell myself. Ethan, don’t blame her,” Sophie said sweetly.

“Fell? Ha! And the five handprints on your face? Did you fall into those too? Show me how you did that!” Ethan scolded, his heart aching for her.

“Your sister is gone, so I have to take care of you now. But you can’t let yourself be bullied like this.”

“Yes, Sophie, Mommy was too much. Your calf is bleeding. You need the infirmary to remove the glass. Otherwise, you’ll scar and won’t look good in skirts anymore.” Lily added.

“Mommy, you should apologize.”

Sophie put on her innocent act. “Don’t say that, Lily. She’s your mother. You can’t talk to her like this. What if she gets mad and forces you to eat broccoli again?”

“Even if she does, I’ll still speak the truth. My teacher said justice must always defeat evil.” Lily said firmly.

My heart shattered as I looked at her.

“Lily, between Aunt Sarah and Aunt Sophie, you’d choose them over me, your mother, wouldn’t you?”

Lily said, “Of course. You treat me so badly, forcing me to jump out the window, forcing me to eat broccoli. Aunt Sophie and Aunt Sarah were so kind, always giving me burgers. Who do you think I’d choose?”

I looked at Lily in disappointment.

“Remember what you said today, Lily.”

“What, even your own daughter has to bully and threaten you now?” Ethan shouted angrily.

“I’ll deal with you later. If you don’t apologize, don’t expect me to pay your medical bills.”

He picked Sophie up and was about to leave. I stopped him.

“So if I don’t apologize, you won’t pay my medical bills, right?”

“That’s right!”

“Fine. Then let’s divorce. Sign the papers. I’ve already signed.”

I handed Ethan the divorce agreement.

Sophie sneered, “Maybe she just wants half the property. My sister swore she saw Emily with another man.”

“That’s impossible!” Ethan snapped. “Half the assets? Dream on.”

I gave a cold laugh. “Do you think I care? Look at the terms.”

He read them, his face changing.

“What? You’d rather walk away with nothing than stay married to me?”

“That’s right. I don’t want anything.”

“Just a trick to lure me in, huh?” Sophie said.

“Think what you like. Just sign.”

“No,” Ethan said. “We’ll talk when I get back.”

Then he walked out carrying Sophie. Lily followed.

I watched Lily’s back as she left. My daughter—you’ve lost me completely.

At midnight, Daniel Smith, Jessica’s brother and my former admirer, came to see me. He was shocked when he saw me.

“How did you end up like this? Ethan, that bastard! I could kill him.”

“Daniel, don’t. This is my fight. Just take me away.”

“Alright.”

“Help me remove my social security record,” I said quietly.

“Got it.”

Daniel staged my fake death. He threw down my clothes, spilled pig’s blood, scattered some hair, and staged a fall from the window. He even set up ropes and gear to smuggle me out unseen.

No guards noticed, and no cameras caught us.

As he carried me away, I leaned against him. “Daniel, when did you learn to move like this?”

He laughed. “Since I met you.”

When we reached the research institute, Jessica and my professor were waiting.

Seeing me with no legs, my professor wept. “You poor child. At least you made it back alive.”

Jessica was also in tears. “You stupid girl! Serves you right for marrying a pretty face. My brother’s always been better, but you wouldn’t have him.” Her words were harsh, but I could hear her heart aching for me.

Daniel rubbed his nose awkwardly, saying nothing.

Ten days later, Ethan saw a video online of a woman jumping from a building. He thought she looked familiar and called Lily over.

“Doesn’t that look like your mom?”

“A little,” Lily admitted.

Ethan summoned Rachel Green, his secretary.

“What’s going on? Is that my wife?”

Rachel glanced at the screen. “It looks like her. The hospital seemed to have informed us about your wife. I’ll go check.”

“Go.”

She returned hours later with a death certificate.