Chapter 1: A Life Sentence of Two Months

Seraphina's POV

My entire body went numb as the doctor's words echoed in my mind: "You didn't know? Your daughter has bone cancer. Given her current condition, she has two months at most. If I'm not mistaken, your mother died from the same type of cancer. I strongly recommend you get tested yourself..."

I couldn't stop shaking, unable to accept this cruel reality. My daughter—my beautiful, innocent Isolde—had Li-Fraumeni syndrome, the same genetic condition that had taken my mother. Two months. The words crashed against my consciousness like waves against a cliff, threatening to erode my sanity.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Isolde's sweet voice carried a hint of worry. "Did I do something to make you sad?"

I looked at my daughter lying in the hospital bed, her little face already gaunt from the disease consuming her from within. Guilt washed over me. How could I possibly tell her the truth?

"If I did something wrong, I'll say sorry, okay?" she said, forcing a smile that broke my heart into a thousand pieces.

The pain was unbearable. My baby had only two months left. I had no parents, no close family, and a marriage that existed in name only. Isolde was my only reason for living.

I swallowed my tears and tried to maintain my composure. "I'm not sad at all. Actually, I'm happy because you're going to get better soon."

Her eyes brightened, a spark of joy illuminating her face. "Really? That's wonderful. Will... will Daddy come to see me today?"

Those honey-brown eyes held such tentative hope, quickly dimming as if she didn't dare to expect too much. Her question hurt worse than being flayed alive.

Fighting the tremor in my heart, I answered, "Yes. I promise that Daddy will come see you."

"Really?" Her voice carried the uncertain, probing tone of a child who had learned not to hope.

I understood where Isolde's insecurity came from—she had a mother who her father despised. At four years old, she couldn't comprehend the complicated emotions between her parents. She simply yearned for a normal family relationship, just a little bit of fatherly love.

Yet my child was slipping away, and I couldn't even give her this.

"Isolde, I promise that no matter what, I'll bring your father to see you today. Happy birthday, sweetheart." I stroked her hair and gently kissed her forehead.

Isolde smiled happily.

After lulling her to sleep, I called Olivia. Taking a deep breath, I said, "Where's Dorian? Tell him I've come to my senses."

After a moment of silence, she replied, "Mr. Ravencroft is celebrating Miss Hawthorne's birthday. If you have something to discuss, I can notify him tomorrow."

When I heard "Miss Hawthorne," my throat tightened. "Tell Dorian, it's today or never."

I hung up the phone.

Less than ten minutes later, Olivia called back with an address: Grand Summit Hotel.

When I arrived, Olivia met me at the entrance. As we approached the private dining room, voices drifted out.

"Dorian, in front of my sister today, just tell everyone the truth. After all these years married to Seraphina, with a child and everything, do you really feel nothing for her at all?"

My face instantly drained of color.

Then a deep voice, smooth as whiskey but cold as ice, cut through the air. The room fell silent.

"You expect me to feel anything for that gold-digging tramp? And that brat she claims is mine? Please. I wouldn't bet a dollar on her paternity. The whole thing makes me want to vomit."

These calm, detached words pierced me like needles. I could accept Dorian hating me, despising me, but I couldn't tolerate him calling my child a "brat"!

I pushed open the door. Everyone inside was immediately drawn to the sound, their expressions changing uniformly when they saw me standing in the doorway.

Dorian sat at the head of the table, his cold gaze falling on me, his brow slightly furrowed. Beside him sat the radiant Bella Hawthorne, his former girlfriend. When she saw me, she stiffened momentarily.

"Seraphina?" Bella said with feigned surprise. "What are you doing here? Dorian, why didn't you say anything..."

Dorian's expression darkened. "Everyone, please leave..."

I met Dorian's ice-blue eyes with equal coldness. "Don't bother... there's nothing between us that needs privacy. Everyone can stay."

Five years ago, I could never have spoken so calmly. Back then, Dorian had been the chaotic battlefield of my secret crush. Now, all that remained were the bloody scars of reality's beatings. At this moment, I had only one thought—to give my child a proper ending.

Bella's face darkened as she clutched Dorian's arm.

Dorian coldly raised his eyes to look at me. "My terms haven't changed. What else do you want?"

My dark eyes remained eerily calm. "My condition is that you spend one month with Isolde, as her father, starting today."

This statement exploded like a thunderbolt among those present.

Harrison Hawthorne immediately erupted in anger. "I knew it! You shameless bitch, still trying to sink your claws into Dorian! If it weren't for you, would my sister and Dorian have been separated for so long?!"

Bella's eyes moistened as she quickly grabbed Harrison. "Stop, please..."

Harrison grew more agitated. "Sis! Your depression hasn't improved in all these years—how can I not be pissed off? Dorian, are you really going to let this woman manipulate you again?"

Dorian's expression shifted slightly, his deep eyes staring intently for a moment before coldly looking at me. "Not happening."

I had expected Dorian to say this.

"I'll give up the Ravencroft family shares, all property rights—everything. But my only divorce condition is that you spend one month with Isolde, as her father." Mentioning Isolde made my heart tear with pain. "If you don't agree, I won't sign the divorce papers."

Harrison stood up angrily, grabbing his glass. "You fucking bitch! Have you no shame?!"

I ignored Harrison, my voice unnervingly calm. "Dorian, if you want to be rid of me, this is your only option. Otherwise, even if you want a divorce, you'll be stuck with me for at least two more years! But if you just spend one month with Isolde, I'll file for divorce afterward, no strings attached."

Dorian's eyes grew colder.

Then Bella took a deep breath. "Dorian, agree to her terms."

This unexpected statement surprised everyone.

"Sis?" Harrison questioned loudly.

Bella took Dorian's hands in hers and smiled gently. "Just do it for us. I trust you."

Dorian's ice-blue eyes held no warmth. He warned me: "Just one month, Seraphina. You'd better not try any tricks. If you have any ulterior motives, I'll make you regret it!"

I responded calmly: "Fine. As long as you're willing to spend time with Isolde, I'll cooperate completely." Then I reminded him: "Tomorrow is Isolde's birthday. Don't forget to bring a gift."

His expression barely changed as he gave a contemptuous nod.