Even now, the only thing Jack cared about was this meaningless issue.
Elina finally understood. Jack probably didn’t care much about his own biological daughter either.
In his heart, the only person who truly mattered was probably Elowyn. Staring at Jack’s face, Elina threw the lab report at him with force. “I’m saying, I want to amend the divorce agreement. I want custody of Jaslyn. And everything Elowyn has done–I’ll report it to the police and have them investigate!”
Without waiting for his response, she turned around and walked away decisively.
But no matter how furious Elina was, Jack only saw her anger as a way to express dissatisfaction with Elowyn and draw his attention.
What did Elina really want? Certainly not a complete breakup through divorce.
Watching her slim figure disappear, Jack lowered his gaze slightly. He knew what she truly wanted was for him to bow his head and make peace. But that was never going to happen.
Suddenly, a hand tugged at the corner of his shirt from behind.
Elowyn said, “It’s my fault Jaslyn ended up like this. She kept calling for Mommy last night, and I was so tired from comforting her that I fell asleep. But Jack, I’m scared… will Elina really press charges against me?”
Jack turned around, looking down at Elowyn’s tear-filled eyes, his brows furrowing slightly. “If Elina hadn’t left last night, you wouldn’t have been so exhausted. You’ve never taken care of a child before. It’s not your fault.”
She leaned against Jack’s chest, crying as she apologized, “Elina must be so angry because of my mistake.”
He straightened her up and looked at Jaslyn lying in the hospital bed. “Go get some rest. As for Elina, she won’t really call the police.”
A flicker of relief passed through Elowyn’s eyes. She nodded while wiping away her tears.
After she left, Jack approached the hospital bed. His gaze swept over the trash can filled with packaging, then to Jaslyn’s pale face. His expression darkened slightly as he made a call.
Half an hour later. Jack stepped out of the hospital room and saw two police officers standing by the nurse’s station.
“We’ll document this case. We also need to check the child’s condition.”
Jack approached and saw Elina signing a report. He grabbed her wrist. “Do you really have to go this far?”
“Who are you?” one of the officers frowned at his interference.
Jack turned to the officer. “I’m Jaslyn’s father, Elina’s husband. Elina called the police because of personal grudges. I apologize on her behalf for wasting police resources.”
Elina shook off his hand and snapped, “Don’t talk nonsense here.”
She quickly finished signing the report and handed it to the officer. “I’ll take you to see the child.”
The officer nodded. After glancing at the paperwork, he recognized Jack’s name and frowned.
“The hospital, not the child’s mother, called the police. They suspect child abuse. And you, the father, are trying to block an investigation? Strange.”
Jack stiffened slightly and overheard the nurses whispering nearby.
“They must’ve found out that woman fed Dr. Ford’s daughter random food. Disgusting.”
“Probably had an affair. Bringing the mistress to the hospital too. Shameless.”
“Exactly. Poor Dr. Ford, putting family first for years, giving up so many opportunities abroad, and this is what she gets?”
Jack clenched his fists. Thinking of Elina spreading lies about him and Elowyn at the hospital filled him with a silent rage. She really could go to any lengths to drive Elowyn away.
Inside the hospital room, the police inspected the room and then pointed at the clean trash can. “Did you change the trash bag?”
Elina shook her head, her exhaustion visible as she looked at her daughter. “I didn’t notice.”
“Alright,” the officer said, taking a few photos. “We have a basic understanding. The hospital will need to cooperate with our investigation for a while.”
Elina nodded, escorting the officers out. As she returned, she saw Jack walking over in his hospital gown. Seeing him now made her feel sick, so she simply shut the door in his face.
Jack didn’t come in. He just stood there for a moment, looking at Elina sitting by the bedside, then turned and went back to his own room.
With Jaslyn in this condition, Elina had no heart for work. She had taken the morning off to stay by her side.
Not long after, the door slammed open. Elina glanced at the thermometer but didn’t even have time to react before a strong force shoved her against the wall and knocked her to the ground.
“You’re so vicious! You failed as a mother, nearly killed Jaslyn, and now you want to drag your sister into this?” Rowena stood over Elina, pointing at her and shouting.
Elina steadied herself, looked coldly at her parents, and said, “Stop making noise. Jaslyn is still recovering.”
“You still have the nerve to pretend you care? How did I ever give birth to such a cruel daughter?”
Rowena’s hysterics gave Elina a splitting headache. Frowning, Elina pulled out her phone to call security, but Ronald slapped it away furiously. “Trying to call the cops on your own parents now? You ungrateful wretch! No wonder even your own daughter doesn’t like you!”
At those words, Elina’s heart clenched, and a chilling numbness swept through her. Before she could speak, Jack walked in, positioning himself between her and her parents.
“Jack, you came just in time! You’re still sick—you shouldn’t have to deal with this—but Elowyn’s been taken by the police, and we’re desperate.”
Facing Jack, Rowena’s attitude completely changed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked pitiful and pleading.
Jack glanced at Elina in silence. “This situation is serious. It depends on the hospital’s attitude.”
Ronald turned to Elina. “You’re Elowyn’s sister. Are you really going to stand by and watch her go to jail?”
“I’ll say it once more. Jaslyn is still sick. Stop arguing here.” Elina had had enough. She pointed at the door and shouted, “Get out! If anything happens to my daughter, none of you will be able to escape responsibility!”
“You ungrateful child!” Ronald and Rowena exploded. “If only we hadn’t kept you! If we’d only had Elowyn, we would’ve been so much happier!”
Jack held them back, frowning as he turned to Elina. “You’re Jaslyn’s mother. Your words carry weight with the hospital and the police. Jaslyn relies on Elowyn. This whole thing could traumatize her.”
The implication was clear–he wanted Elina to lie and protect Elowyn.
She raised her eyes, looking at the three of them, each with different expressions, and let out a bitter laugh. They all claimed to care about the child. Yet here they were, fighting, disregarding Jaslyn’s condition completely. Their so-called concern was nothing but hypocrisy. The only one they truly cared about was Elowyn.
“What’s so funny?”
Jack asked unhappily