63.0
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
The police immediately restrained the two who were trying to escape. Based on surveillance
footage from the yard and an initial forensic examination, it was concluded that my
daughter had died from secondary drowning after inhaling water.
Russell frowned and retorted, “What secondary drowning? Eleanor and I were watching
Heidi and Furry’s swimming race the entire time. She died out of nowhere–how is that our
fault?”
After the forensic expert explained, I questioned Russell: “You still dare to say her death has nothing to do with you? If you hadn’t forced her to race against a dog, how could she have
inhaled water? You’re the murderer!”
“I was only taking care of a bastard child for you. She had a short life; her death has
nothing to do with me!” he snapped back.
The police, puzzled, exchanged glances between the three of us and, out of caution, conducted a thorough investigation. In the end, they regretfully informed me that it was an accident caused by parental negligence. They’d seen such family tragedies too often and did
their best to mediate our conflict.
But I refused to accept mediation–I was determined to seek justice for Heidi. Russell continued to call her a bastard, refusing to admit any fault.
“I’m the real victim here. She cheated on me, had someone else’s child, and treated me like a fool. Now, when something happens to the kid I’ve been raising, why should I be blamed?”
“You’ve all seen the footage. It was her daughter who decided to race against Furry. No one
forced her with a knife!”
Facing Russell’s deceit, my heart, already in despair, grew even colder. Just because our daughter had only recently learned to swim, and because she couldn’t out–swim a dog, he claimed Heidi wasn’t his child. He constantly insulted her, calling her a bastard, and
accused me of infidelity.
But he knew full well that our daughter adored him. Every word he said mattered to her. Even though she had just learned to swim and knew she was being mocked by Eleanor, she
20:18
After My Pregnant Daughter Burned to Death at Home, I Popped Open a Bottle of Champagne
63.3%
Chapter 2
tried her best to win against that dog. She only wanted to prove herself to Russell, to earn his praise, and show that she was his best daughter.
Out of sympathy, the police offered to expedite a paternity test for us. After they left, Russell
transferred 200 yuan to me:
“Take this to buy a cremation box for that bastard child. Consider it my final favor for her
calling me dad for five years.”
As Russell pushed his suitcase out, I blocked him, incredulous: “What do you mean? You think you can just walk away after killing Heidi, without even holding a funeral for her?”
Russell laughed so hard his chest shook, his eyes wide:
“Tessa, are you out of your mind? You think a bastard deserves a funeral from me? Not scattering her ashes is already a kindness.”
I slapped him hard across the face.
“Beast! You bastard!”
“You keep calling her a bastard, but what about you? How dare you humiliate my Heidi like
this!”
Russell staggered from the slap, and if not for Eleanor holding him up, he might have
fallen.
Holding his head, his eyes turned red with anger: “I knew she wasn’t mine the moment I
saw she didn’t take after me at all!”
With my heart broken and reason gone, I rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a knife.
Sensing the danger, Eleanor hurriedly pulled Russell out of the house.
I chased after them like a madwoman, but only ended up covered in dust from their car’s
exhaust…
The paternity test results came back the next day, but Russell had already blocked me.
I knew I didn’t need to prove my innocence, but I couldn’t swallow my anger.
20:18
After My Pregnant Daughter Burned to Death at Home, I Popped Open a Bottle of Champagne-
63.7%
Chapter 2
I wanted to see Russell’s expression when he found out that the “bastard” he insulted was his biological daughter.
But every unanswered call and the red exclamation marks on my screen mocked the absurdity of our marriage.
To me, it didn’t matter anymore.
Having a father like him was a disgrace to Heidi.
Russell didn’t deserve to bury my daughter.
