The night was filled with torrential rain pouring down like a deluge, accompanied by flashes of lightning and deafening thunder, enveloping the world in an eerie atmosphere.
The dimly lit room had no hint of brightness, as heavy curtains blocked out even the faintest light from the outside.
This night marked the greatest turning point in Lily Adams’ life… so much so that in the end, she had given everything to commemorate it.
Waking up after the medication wore off, Lily felt as if she had been crushed, every part of her body aching painfully, and the slightest movement made her feel like she might fall apart.
Her hand slowly clenched, teeth biting down hard on her lip.
Suddenly, her nose tingled, and tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.
In a state of panic and fear, Lily didn’t dare to look at the man sleeping soundly with his back to her; she gritted her teeth and got out of bed, hastily picking up clothes scattered on the floor and putting them on… before rushing out.
With a thunderous boom, Lily wandered through the rain-soaked streets of New York, feeling as if she had lost her soul, quickly becoming drenched to the bone.
The tears had already flooded out the moment she stepped outside…
They say rain is the best time to cry; as long as you stand in the rain, no one can see your weakness.
Lily laughed and cried… her silhouette under the dim streetlight appeared hauntingly surreal.
She didn’t remember how she managed to walk back home, but upon seeing the lights in her house, she felt a momentary daze…
It was nearly dawn when she left the Empire Hotel, and after walking for so long, why was there still light in her home?
Lily didn’t dare to go in; she stood at the door looking at the house… the ache in her heart overshadowed her body’s pain.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and before Lily could even think to hide, she was greeted by Mary, the housemaid from the Adams family. Mary froze for a moment upon seeing her, then rushed forward, “Miss, where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you all night…” Her voice was urgent, “Something happened!”
Lilys heart sank, her eyelids fluttering in confusion.
Not noticing Lilys disheveled state, Mary assumed she hadn’t brought an umbrella, “Sir fell from the construction site… he’s in the hospital fighting for his life. Young Master’s phone isn’t connecting, and yours isn’t either… your mother is at the hospital alone, and her heart condition has relapsed.”
Lily didn’t hear the rest of what Mary said; upon hearing the words “fell,” her mind went blank with a loud “buzz.”
Seeing Lily in shock, Mary quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the car by the roadside… it wasn’t until Lily was shoved into the car that her thoughts finally returned.
Forgetting her own predicament, Lily looked at Mary with red eyes, trembling, “Mary… you, you…” Unable to articulate properly due to her fear, she swallowed hard and gasped, “What did you just say?”
The driver was Mary’s husband, John. He glanced at Lily in the rearview mirror, his expression heavy as he drove towards the hospital.
Marys face grew even graver as she sighed, “There was an accident at the site. They say Sir fell… he’s in critical condition. When Madam arrived at the hospital, the situation was grim…”
Mary didn’t finish her sentence; Lily closed her eyes… her mother had a heart condition, and under such circumstances, she certainly couldn’t bear it.
When they arrived at the hospital, both James Adams and Susan Adams were in emergency surgery.
The empty hallway felt especially eerie on that stormy night, as if it exuded the essence of death.
Lily stood damply at the operating room door, staring blankly at the “Surgery in Progress” light, devoid of any expression…
John stepped forward and draped his coat over her shoulders, “Miss, Sir and Madam are such good people; they will be alright.”
“What about John?” Lily’s gaze remained fixed, her voice cold as she asked.
John sighed heavily, a look of helplessness and sorrow on his face: “Young Master hasn’t returned… his phone isn’t connecting either.”
A cold sneer crossed Lily’s lips, her eyes welling with resentment.
In that instant, something icy exploded in her chest, and as her eyes reddened, she gritted her teeth, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
Why did she trust John tonight to give her that money?
Knowing full well that a gambler was beyond saving… but she still believed him, even to the point of being trapped and losing her precious first time.
Lily’s grip tightened as if she were holding on for dear life, fearing that any less strength would lead to her collapse…
Time seemed to stretch longer than ever; Lily stood there, waiting… until the rain outside finally stopped, and dawn began to break.
Though the wait was long, at least without news, she could still hold onto hope, couldn’t she?
But when dawn broke, Lily felt as though… the world had completely abandoned her.
“I’m sorry; we did our best…”
Lily thought she would crumble, but when the doctor mechanically uttered those words, she fell unusually silent, “Doctor, where’s my mother?”
“Mrs. Adams’ condition has been stabilized for the time being, but…” The doctor hesitated, looking at the disheveled girl before him.
“It’s fine; I can handle it.” Lily spoke quietly, but the tension in her eyes betrayed her.
The doctor sighed, “Mrs. Adams’ heart couldn’t handle the strain, and during resuscitation, her heart stopped several times… Although it’s now stabilized, she may not wake up.”
Lily felt her legs give way, her body losing all strength… suddenly, her vision went black, and she nearly fainted.
“Miss, Miss…” John and Mary hurriedly supported her from either side, their weary faces filled with concern.
After Lily closed her eyes to steady herself, she opened them again, her voice growing hoarse, “I’m fine…”
Her eyelashes trembled incessantly; Lily wanted to be strong…
She watched as the gurney was pushed out, trembling as she gently pulled back the white sheet covering it… seeing her father, James Adams, lifeless, she could no longer contain her tears.
“Daddy… Daddy…” Lily cried out, clutching James Adams, repeatedly calling out “Daddy,” unable to articulate any other words.
Mary discreetly wiped her tears, while John looked at Lily with a face full of sorrow…
“What happened to our once happy family?” Mary sobbed, “What on earth happened?”
The doctor watched this scene, sighed, and turned to leave with the death report… Having seen so many lives and deaths, each time he witnessed such heartbreaking farewells, it tugged at his heartstrings.
But before the doctor could walk far, a terrified voice suddenly came from behind…
“Miss, Miss…”
The doctor turned around to find Lily had collapsed to the floor, fainted.