My 99th Failed Strategy: I'm Done Trying

I watched Quinn, Melody, the children, and the doctor move away. Thinking of the fact that I'd be able to go home in another six hours, I gritted my teeth and offered no resistance.

I just hoped that the operation would go smoothly and that the children would be safe. That way, I could go home without any lingering worries.

By around ten o'clock, more and more people had shown up at the hospital, many of whom recognized me.

"Isn't that Quinn Langley's ex-wife?"

"Why is she being held down by his bodyguards? She didn't do something bad again, did she?"

"Hey, get this! I just heard that she poisoned her own children in order to frame Melody Frost! She really is despicable."

"Even animals don't kill their young, but she's actually willing to harm her own children. How sickening!"

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to ignore their words.

I didn't know how much time passed before the operation was finally over. My eyes snapped open, and I looked expectantly at the doctor.

Melody stood to one side, crying with her hands over her face. "What? My daughter's gone…"

My head spun, and I almost lost my balance. "You're lying to me! You're all lying, aren't you?"

Just as the words left my mouth, a nurse walked out with a silent child in her arms.

I broke away from everyone and rushed up to the nurse. I carefully checked my daughter for breathing, but I felt nothing. She lay quietly in the nurse's arms as if she'd just fallen asleep.

Quinn's expression was murderous. "Ariel Somer, you actually killed your child just to drive Melody away!"

"It wasn't me!" I retorted loudly.

My gaze landed on Melody. "It was you! You killed my child! My son loves you so much, and my daughter was just four days old! How could you be so wicked? Have you no conscience? You're worse than a beast!"

The smile in Melody's eyes was unmistakable, but she blinked and forced out a few tears. "Ariel, I love them so much, and I'm not long for this world. How could I possibly wish to harm them?"

"Because you're faking your illness, so of course you wouldn't want annoying children by your side! You'd better pay for your sins!" I screamed hoarsely, rushing over to grab her.

Quinn pulled me back with one hand, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Enough! How dare you still think of framing Melody at this point? Hurry up and apologize to her! Otherwise, forget about ever seeing our son again!"

I glared at him, shaking with anger.

As expected, he wouldn't believe my words.

Deflating all at once, I turned to take my daughter with the intent of giving her a proper burial before leaving this world. However, Quinn's bodyguard beat me to it and took her away.

"Send the body for cremation," Quinn ordered icily.

"No… Please don't. Let me give her a proper burial, okay? I want to send her off on her final journey," I pleaded.

Quinn said nothing, simply leaving me to cry and beg.

I cried until I was lightheaded.

The system's voice rang out as I clung to my last shred of consciousness, "Five seconds remaining. Ariel, please be on standby."

I closed my eyes and stopped struggling.

Seeing this, Quinn thought I'd softened my stance and tried to say something in a gentle voice.

The next second, he watched as my eyes rolled up in my head, my body went limp, and I died in his arms.