I had just given birth when my 8-year-old daughter came to visit me. She quietly closed the curtain and whispered, «Mom, get under the bed. Now.» We crawled under together, holding our breath. Then, footsteps approached, and she gently covered my mouth…

However, I never thought she was this deranged. I can’t believe it, Deborah’s voice was cold. Your reckless behavior put our lives in danger.

I know. I don’t expect to be forgiven, Michael bowed his head. But for Lily and Thomas’s sake, please let me try again.

Deborah gazed out the window. Her heart was filled with the pain of betrayal, but at the same time, she felt deep gratitude that their lives had been saved by Lily’s courage and quick thinking. I need time to think, she finally said.

Right now, I just want to focus on the children. Michael nodded silently and left the room. Three months later, Deborah sat on the small porch of her new home, watching Lily play in the garden.

Baby Thomas slept peacefully in her arms. The new house was smaller than their previous one, but the warm sunshine and quiet environment surrounded by greenery were ideal for healing their wounded hearts. Rachel Collins had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and delusional disorder following a psychiatric evaluation and was confined to a state facility.

Police investigations revealed that she had greatly exaggerated her brief relationship with Michael, even fantasizing about marriage and family planning. More surprisingly, she had caused similar problems at hospitals where she had previously worked but had concealed her record through credential falsification. Mom! Look, a butterfly! Lily called from the garden, stretching her small arms toward the sky.

Deborah smiled. Lily was receiving psychological counseling twice a week but was gradually regaining her original brightness with the resilience typical of children. Though occasional anxious expressions remained, she had developed a pride in being a little hero.

The divorce proceedings with Michael had been completed last month. He had quit his job and moved to a city on the west coast. Child support was paid regularly, but he didn’t come to see Thomas…