My heart ached. While I was ignoring the punches and kicks people threw at me in passing, I shoved through the crowd, hailed a taxi and headed straight to the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.
In the hospital ward, Olive was lying on her bed with a pale face. Both Miranda and Ralph sat on either side of her, guarding her closely. The moment I got into the ward, the doctor began criticizing me.
"Didn’t you keep promising that you won’t let her eat shrimp after discharge? So, why did you feed her shrimp again?"
"I didn’t-"
Before I could finish, Olive turned her head and weakly complained to Miranda, "Mom, Dad was the one who insisted I eat shrimp. He said shrimp is nutritious and it will heal me faster …"
"Mom, can you just make Uncle Ralph my dad?"
It felt as if I was being struck by lightning.
Since when did Olive learn to lie?
Meanwhile, Ralph hugged her while his eyes reddened.
"Anthony, what the hell did you do? Can’t we just talk things out? Your daughter is innocent…"
Miranda, unable to hold back, rushed over and slapped me hard across the face.
"Even a tiger doesn’t harm its own cubs! Why are you so angry with me? Why are you trying to hurt Olive?"