Chapter 3

After accepting my mom's urn, I laid her to rest beside my dad, gently caressing her photo where she was smiling.

"Mom, there's no more pain in heaven. Rest in peace. Don't worry. I'll take care of myself, eat properly, and live my life," Valerie whispered.

A gentle breeze swept by, and sunlight tickled my face.

Back at the hotel, my mother-in-law called. She was the only one who ever truly cared about me besides my mom.

When I answered, Nieve's voice was choked with sobs, and she couldn't get a full sentence out.

This was the second time she'd cried like this.

I figured she must have heard about my mom's passing.

The first time was when Mom and I collapsed in a pool of blood. Nieve cried like her world was ending, shaking all over.

After that, she was haunted by nightmares, and she showered me with all the love she had.

When Mom finally pulled through, Nieve could finally relax a little. She said once Mom got better, we'd plant flowers and drink coffee together.

She dreamed we'd travel across the country, taking in all the beautiful scenery.

But fate had other plans. Mom never got that chance.

I had to go back to the old house. Might as well treat this as my last goodbye.

I clutched my phone, my chest tight with grief. "Nieve, please don't cry. I'll come see you right away," I said.

Once I hung up, I took a ride straight over to the old house.

Nieve's eyes were swollen and red. She grabbed my hand tightly, tears streaming down her face again.

"Silly girl, why didn't you tell me your mom passed away? You've been through so much," she said, her voice trembling.

My nose stung, and my eyes grew red too. "Mom always liked things quiet. That was her only wish," I said softly.

Nieve choked out, "The last time I saw her, she seemed so much better. How could she just be gone like that?"

Her sobs grew even more heartbreaking, and each one made my heart ache even more.

Yeah, how could someone who seemed perfectly fine just be gone all of a sudden?

"Was she... at peace when she passed?" Nieve asked, her voice trembling.

I froze, nodding numbly. "She was at peace."

Those words were so simple, yet so painful, stabbed right through my heart.

That night, I got an urgent call from the hospital. They said Mom was in critical condition and they were doing everything they could to save her.

By the time I got there, she was already gone. Her hand was still balled into a fist, and there was no peace in her expression.

Maybe she fought to stay, maybe she just couldn't let go.

She always cared about her looks, but illness had left her unrecognizable. If she hadn't protected me back then, would she still be alive?

It was all my fault.

"Did Simon stay with you?" Nieve asked, wiping away her tears as she pulled me down onto the couch.

I could only nod bitterly.

She sniffled. "That's what I want to hear. If I ever find out Simon's been giving you a hard time, I'll beat him to a pulp."

We talked right up until dinner time, and then Simon showed up.

I stared at him in shock.

"I asked Simon to come over. Seeing you so thin really hurts me. I just wanted us to share a meal together," Nieve said.

Her eyes were full of love, and they welled up with tears again.

Simon looked pissed off and dripping wet from the rain.

"I'm not staying for dinner. I've got a meeting," he said, his voice icy.

I remembered the last time we were here, he took my hand and said, "If you ever get bored, just come by the old house."

But this time, he had zero patience for me. He yanked my arm, leaning in and practically snarling in my ear.

"I told you not to cause trouble at the old house. Can't you understand that? Do I have to lock you up to make you behave? If that's what it takes, then your mom won't need her treatment anymore," he said.

He was pulling the same old threats on me, but Mom was already gone.

"Brat, what do you think you're doing? Hurry up and eat," Nieve snapped, swatting him twice before she started fussing over dinner.

Just then, his phone started ringing. With just one glance, I saw Valerie's name pop up on the screen.

I guessed the dinner was off.

When the phone rang again, Simon dragged me out and pushed me aside without a second thought.

"Simon, what took you so long? You left me out here all by myself. I was so scared," Valerie said.

She pouted as she hopped out of the passenger seat, immediately wrapping herself around him like a lost puppy.

"Stella, you're way out of line. Just because you two aren't getting along, you have to drag it out here? Are you trying to push him?" Valerie shot back.

She added, "Did you even think about how Simon feels?"

Something must have set him off, because Simon hauled me into the car, and my head banged hard against the window.

"Stella, don't you ever come back here again," Simon snapped.

I curled my fingers into a fist. Today was meant to be my final farewell. I wouldn't ever set foot here again.

Halfway through the drive, Valerie started dry heaving, looking all weak and miserable. "Simon, there's this weird smell in here, and it's freaking me out. Can you let me out, please?"

She complained, "Stella, did you spray some perfume or something? It stinks."

She shot me a dirty look, waving her hand in front of her nose like I was reeking up the whole car.