Luckily, I hit the ground first, cushioning Ginny with my body.

"Ginny! Are you okay?"

Shanon, teetering toward us in her sky-high heels, shrieked, "Leomund! Return Ginny to me!"

My mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood, but I couldn't help laughing. Blood slid from the corner of my lips.

"Ginny is my daughter, too. You- You're not fit to be her mother."

She did not even look at me. She reached straight for the straps holding Ginny in place.

Startled, Ginny began to cry, but that only irritated Shanon.

"Why are you crying? Come home with me!"

I struggled to get up, using every last bit of strength to stop her.

"Touch her and see what happens," I struggled to speak before getting cut off by my own coughing.

My face burned. Warm liquid ran down from my forehead into my eyes, stinging sharply.

Shanon hesitated for a split second, but in the end, she reached out to grab the child.

That was when someone stepped in.

A middle-aged woman from the crowd rushed forward and shoved her aside.

"You're snatching a child in broad daylight? How dare you!"

Shanon frowned impatiently. "What's it to you? She's my kid!"

"Your kid?" the woman snapped. "Unbelievable! She's barely conscious, and you won't even let someone take her to the hospital! Are you really her mother?"

Tobias stepped in front of Shanon, his face full of arrogance.

"Mind your own business, would you? Why are you meddling so much? Keep it up, and I'll have someone deal with you."

The hospital was just nearby. Thankfully, someone already called the police and an ambulance. Within moments, sirens filled the air.

Shanon's face turned pale.

Just moments ago, she was fighting to take Ginny.

Now, she jumped into her car and fled.

Soon after, Ginny and I were taken to the hospital.

The doctor examined both of us and sighed.

"Good thing you brought her in time. A child that young trapped in a car can easily suffer a fatal heatstroke."

Then his tone changed.

"However, the child has multiple soft tissue contusions and a mild concussion. She needs to be hospitalized for observation."

My heart dropped.

"From the car accident just now?"

The doctor shook his head.

"Some of the injuries don't look accidental. They appear to be inflicted. We'll need further examination."

I followed his gaze.

Ginny's back was covered in bruises, purple and blue patches that made my stomach twist.

My fists clenched silently.

No wonder Shanon didn't want me taking her to the hospital.

This was not the first time.

They were abusing her.

Ginny weakly opened her eyes. They were red and swollen. She reached out a tiny hand and held mine.

"Daddy, don't be sad."

The guilt crushed me.

This was my fault. I failed to protect her.

I never should have trusted Shanon. I never should have agreed to give her custody.

Shanon! She would pay for this!

Just then, my phone rang.

It was her.

The moment I answered, all the rage I was holding in exploded.

"You've got some nerve calling me, Shanon! Just you wait! You're a failure of a human being! You think you're taking Ginny back? Dream on!

"You turned your own daughter into a money-making prop! Doesn't your conscience hurt at all? You'd better give up custody willingly right now, or I swear I won't let this go!"

She let out a mocking laugh.

"You think you can beat me? A top influencer with ten million followers?"

Half an hour after she hung up, Richard called.

"Leomund! Check your ex-wife's video account right now!"