On April Fool’s Day, my CEO husband cut out my heart to save his childhood sweetheart's son. After the surgery, he tossed me into a cold rental apartment, where I died in agony.

Three days after my death, my five-year-old daughter played in the room as usual.

Walking by the sofa, she wrinkled her little nose and mumbled, "Mommy, there's a weird smell in here."

She touched my face and murmured, "Mommy, are you pretending to be Snow White? Why are you so pale?"

She shook my arm harder and raised her voice, "Mommy, it's my birthday today—get up and blow out the candles!"

Confused, she picked up the phone and called her father.

“Daddy, did I make Mommy mad? I lit the candles, but no matter how much I call her, she won’t wake up.”

On the other end of the call, Patrick Hart’s voice was cold and impatient. “What could possibly be wrong with her? She’s just pretending to be asleep for sympathy. It’s Johnny’s birthday, I’m busy. Don’t bother me! Tell your melodramatic mother to stop playing her little tricks. I don't have time to humor her."

My daughter removed the candle from her bun, pinched off a piece of the bun, and fed it to me.

"Mommy, I made a secret wish… I really wish you could hold me again, just like before."

I lay motionless on the tattered sofa.

My daughter was already used to this sight. She tiptoed closer, placed most of the bun slice beside my head, and nibbled on her own portion.

After just a few bites, the bun was gone, but her stomach was still growling. She glanced around the room, searching for anything to fill her belly, but there was nothing left.

With no other choice, she stood on tiptoe, trembling as she twisted the faucet open, filling a cup with water and gulping it down.

Floating in midair, I watched this scene unfold, my heart aching as if pierced by countless needles.

Was she really my little girl, the one who used to tear up and throw a tantrum whenever she couldn't have her strawberry cake? It had only been three days. How had she changed from a spoiled child to someone so sensible?

She looked up and spotted the old teddy bear by the trash can. Wedged between its worn-out paws was a family photo.

In the picture, Patrick held my daughter and me in his strong arms, his gaze full of warmth and love. I was beaming with happiness, and my daughter’s bright smile revealed her tiny milk teeth.

That day had been a warm, sunny weekend. Patrick had tiptoed into the bedroom with our daughter, whispering, “Nina, Mommy is sleeping in like a piggy again! Let’s wake her up together, okay?”

At his words, my daughter’s eyes twinkled like two little stars, and she nodded excitedly. “Okay, Daddy!”

After that, Patrick had pulled out a music box and gently placed it by my pillow. Then, he had picked up the teddy bear and brushed its fluffy paws against my cheek.

I had slowly woken up to the crisp melody of the music box.

Patrick had immediately pulled our daughter into his arms, grinning. “Look! Mommy is finally awake. Shouldn’t she give us a big hug as a reward?”

I had sighed helplessly, my eyes filled with affection as I embraced them both tightly.

Patrick had let out a contented sigh and said, “With you here, our home is complete.”

At that moment, my daughter stared at the music box in the photo, as if she had just remembered something. She put down the picture and ran to the sofa, her eyes sparkling with hope.

“Mommy, you’re being lazy again! I’m going back to our old home to get the music box. Then, I can wake you up!”

Seeing her determined to leave, I instinctively reached out for an umbrella, wanting to remind her that it was raining outside.

Alas, my hand passed right through her body!

In that instant, I suddenly remembered—I was dead. I could never protect her like before.

After leaving home, I followed my daughter to find Patrick. By the time Nina and I arrived at the old mansion, the rain had stopped.

Today was Johnny’s birthday. In the courtyard of the old mansion, balloons, a stage, and a feast were all set up. Guests arrived in elegant attire, bearing gifts. Children ran around, laughing and playing.

In the center of the courtyard, Patrick stood beside a six-year-old boy, cutting the birthday cake with him. He gently reminded him, "Be careful. Don’t get cream on your clothes."

Standing close to Patrick was Jennifer Owens who watched the scene with affection. The three of them looked like a happy family.

Through the fence, Nina watched, tears welling in her eyes. Her heart ached. Every year on her birthday, Patrick had always been by her side. She wiped her tears, stood on tiptoe, and pressed the doorbell.

The door opened quickly. To her surprise, it was Jennifer.

The moment Jennifer saw Nina, the smile on her face froze, and the warmth in her eyes disappeared.

"What are you doing here?" She glanced toward Patrick in the distance, ensuring he was unaware, then turned back with irritation. "Did that annoying mother of yours send you to ruin Johnny’s birthday?"

Her expression turned cold. "Did she forget to tell you that this is no longer your home, you little brat? Get lost!"

Nina was frightened by her cruel behavior, and big tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You’re lying! Don’t insult my mom, you’re a bad woman! I want to see my dad!" She glared at Jennifer like a fierce little beast.

Jennifer scoffed, amused by her defiance. She bent down and poked Nina’s forehead repeatedly.

Caught off guard, Nina stumbled back, hitting her head against the iron gate with a loud thud.

The noise caught Patrick’s attention from afar, and his heart clenched.

"Who’s there?"

Jennifer panicked and immediately covered Nina’s mouth. Forcing a smile, she called out, "Patrick, it’s nothing. Just a beggar knocking at the door. It’s cold outside. Take Johnny inside first!"

Patrick frowned but turned back to entertain the guests after hearing no more commotion.

Seeing he was no longer paying attention, Jennifer’s face darkened. She grabbed Nina’s face and spat venomously, "You bring bad luck—just like your wretched mother. All you do is ruin my life!"

Nina struggled, tears mixing with the red marks on her cheeks.

Disgusted, Jennifer kicked her to the ground.

"Cursed child!"

Slowly, Nina climbed to her feet, her voice firm as she insisted, "You’re the cursed one. I want to see my dad!"

Jennifer sneered. Then, spotting a beggar by the roadside, an idea came to her. With a smirk, she squatted down and whispered, "If you crawl under that man’s legs, I’ll take you to see your dad. How about that?"

I stood frozen, staring at Jennifer, my nails digging into my palms until they bled.

How dare she humiliate my daughter like this? Was she even human?

Anger and sorrow consumed me, nearly driving me mad. I desperately tried to pull Nina away, pleading, "Mommy is already dead. You don’t have to do this for me. I will be heartbroken. Go home! Please, just go home!"

Nina lowered her head, thinking for a long time. Through the crack in the gate, she saw the lively birthday party inside. Finally, she asked firmly, "You promise?"

Jennifer hesitated, then smiled smugly. "Of course, I always keep my word."

She called the beggar over and handed him her bracelet, asking only that he stand still.

Nina bit her lip, straightened her little princess dress, and trembled as she slowly crawled under the man’s legs.

As she did, she whispered to herself, "Nina, don’t cry. It’s okay if the dress gets dirty. You’re here to wake Mommy up. As long as Mommy wakes up, it’s worth it."

She kept comforting herself, but the tears wouldn’t stop falling.

Jennifer leaned against the door, watching with satisfaction, her excitement barely contained. "What a good girl. Just as expected from Winnie’s daughter. A lowly woman’s child is just as pathetic. Now, lift your head. Let me take a good look at you."

She was basking in her triumph when suddenly, a cold, furious voice sounded behind her. "Jennifer, what are you doing?"

Hearing the noise, Jennifer panicked. She quickly waved the beggar off and picked up the little girl, gently tidying her dress.

"Patrick, you came just in time! Nina came looking for you. I was just chatting with her!"

Patrick looked at Nina with slight confusion, but in the next second, Jennifer diverted his attention. "Patrick, it's so cold outside! Quickly take Nina inside. She's not dressed warmly enough."

Her face was full of concern, but impatience flickered in her eyes.

Nina lifted her head, revealing the scratch marks on her face, hoping to stir even the slightest fatherly affection in Patrick—hoping he would comfort her like he used to.

However, Patrick only glanced at her briefly, then covered his nose with a look of disgust. "Is this how Winnie takes care of her child? She doesn't even bathe her daughter? She stinks."

His voice turned colder. "And now she’s abusing her daughter for sympathy? Trying to fool me with this pathetic act?"

He gently stroked Jennifer’s back, pulling her into his embrace to comfort her. "Jennifer, you're too soft-hearted. That's why people with ulterior motives keep taking advantage of you."

At his words, Nina and I froze in place.

Nina opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, tears streamed down her face. She tugged at Patrick’s pant leg.

"Daddy."

Hearing that word, Patrick’s expression darkened ominously. Annoyed, he pushed her tiny hand away.

"Spit it out. What does your mother want now? Is she dying? Or does she just need more money?"

Nina's small hands trembled, unsure where to place them, but she didn't dare argue. She had tried telling Patrick that Jennifer bullied her in secret before. However, as soon as Jennifer shed a few crocodile tears, Patrick would believe her unconditionally. He would say that Nina had been corrupted by me, that she was full of deceit.

That day, Patrick had locked Nina in a dark room for a month as punishment. She had knocked and pleaded every day, but no one ever answered.

Remembering this, Nina wiped her swollen eyes and quietly begged, "Daddy, Mommy won’t wake up again. Can you give me the music box?"

Patrick was startled and impatiently questioned, "What? It was just a heart donation. I already got her an artificial heart, and she still—!"

"Patrick!" Jennifer interrupted sharply.

Patrick turned to her, full of confusion.

"Huh?"

Noticing the flash of displeasure in his eyes, Jennifer quickly changed the subject. "Today is Johnny’s birthday. Let’s give her the music box first. Nina has been out for too long—I’m worried Winnie will be upset."

Patrick’s expression softened as he gazed at Jennifer with warmth. "Jennifer, you're too kind. I'll give her the music box, then we can go back to Johnny's birthday party."

I followed them inside the mansion. Under the glow of the chandelier, Nina's small, dirt-streaked face looked especially out of place.

Johnny, who was wearing a birthday hat, looked at Nina with curiosity. "Daddy, who is this? She smells bad!"

The boy’s ruthless mockery made Nina’s face flush red with shame. She turned to Patrick, eyes full of hope, wishing he would explain on her behalf, but all she got was his look of utter disgust.

"Did your mother teach you to act pitiful like this?"

Nina’s face went pale. She understood now—her father truly didn’t love her anymore.

When she looked up again, Patrick was already walking into his study.

Beside her, Jennifer sneered with fake sympathy in her eyes.

"Your daddy doesn't want you anymore! How about this—call me ‘Mommy,’ and I’ll let you stay in the little dark room."

Nina’s whole body trembled with fury. She shouted, "Don't even dream of it! I’d rather die than call you ‘Mom’! I only have one mother in my life! When she wakes up and finds out what you did to me, she’ll make you pay!"

A sharp pain gripped my soul as if something was tearing me apart. I couldn’t imagine how devastated my daughter would be when she learned the truth. She was only five years old. How could she possibly endure such suffering?

While Jennifer was filled with rage, I was drowning in anguish.

Hearing Patrick’s footsteps approaching, Jennifer suddenly let out a panicked cry, "My bracelet! My bracelet is missing!"

She made a show of searching herself, then narrowed her eyes at Nina, smirking.

"Nina, did you steal my bracelet?"