Chapter 3

I glanced at her indifferently and sat down, calm as ever. "Is this all you wanted to show off?"

When I didn't react with the hurt or anger Cindy expected, her expression instantly turned sour.

But she quickly gave me a sly smile.

"Of course not. You gave me a present, so I've got something big to give you in return," she said.

With that, she took out a ring set with an emerald and tossed it in front of me like she was throwing out garbage.

The moment I recognized the ring, my face changed.

It was the ring that had been placed in my mom's urn.

How the hell did Cindy get her hands on it?

I shot up from my seat, grabbed her arm, and demanded angrily, "Where did you get this ring? Tell me!"

Cindy lifted her chin in defiance, a cold sneer on her lips. "Of course I dug up the bitch's grave and took her urn. See how generous I am? I even saved the ring just for you.

"Vera, if your mom hadn't stubbornly refused to divorce, my mom wouldn't have wasted away in the hospital, depressed. It's all your mom's fault. She had it coming.

"But even after she died, she didn't deserve to have a grave. So I dumped her ashes in a filthy gutter. That's the ending she truly deserved."

A wave of fury crashed over me. My vision went red, and before I knew it, my hands were locked around her neck.

"Cindy, you really did murder my mom on purpose. I'm going to kill you," I screamed.

Cindy struggled, laughing like a maniac. "Got any proof? Even your ex and your husband are crazy about me. They all think I'm some innocent angel and always take my side. So what can you do to me?"

Her words just made me even angrier, but after being sick for so long, I was too weak to fight back. She tossed me aside like I was nothing.

"Vera, why do you hate me so much? I know I messed up, please don't hit me," Cindy whined, putting on her best sob story.

She kept backing away, acting all pitiful.

"Cindy, are you okay?" Darius called out, rushing over.

He must've heard the noise and came running.

He shot me a furious look and didn't even hesitate. He slapped me across the face, disappointment burning in his eyes.

"Vera, she's your sister! You really tried to choke her? Have you lost your mind?" he yelled.

Cindy shook her head, looking all innocent and pitiful. "Darius, don't blame Vera. It's all my fault. I'm the one who hurt her mom."

I ignored the burning pain on my cheek and locked my gaze on Darius. "Only you and I know where my mom's grave is. Did you tell Cindy to go dig it up?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Darius snapped, looking shocked. "Cindy was just there to honor your mom. How could you think your sister was so evil?"

At this moment, it was like he'd forgotten all the fake tenderness he'd ever shown me.

As soon as Cindy was involved, his pathetic facade would fall apart instantly.

I stared at him, my whole body shaking, then suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

"Darius, since you're so hell-bent on protecting her, just keep at it. Don't ever change, even if I drop dead tonight," I said, my voice icy.

Darius suddenly looked panicked. He let go of Cindy and reached out, trying to calm me down.

He said, "Don't say stuff like this. You're freaking me out. I'm not siding with her. It's just that you really scared me back there. Your mom saved Cindy's life and she was only there to pay her respects. She'd never dig up your mom's grave.

"I shouldn't have hit you just now, I'm sorry. I lost my temper. Just go home, get some rest, and remember to take your meds. I'll take Cindy to the hospital to get checked out. If she's okay, I'll come straight home to be with you, alright?"

Without waiting for my answer, Darius grabbed Cindy and rushed off with her, not even sparing me a second glance.

As Cindy left, she shot me a mocking glance over her shoulder, a smirk playing on her lips.

I stared after her, my hands shaking uncontrollably, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Emotions crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I couldn't hold it together anymore. I collapsed to the floor, completely falling apart.

I knew my body just couldn't take it anymore. The symptoms of depression were hitting me hard again.

My phone kept ringing, but I couldn't even muster the strength to answer.

After a long while, I finally managed to answer one.

"Ms. Ossoff, this is the city police department. The letter of forgiveness you requested has been prepared and mailed to your address. Please keep an eye out for it," the police officer said.

"Thank you," I replied.

I forced myself to swallow the overwhelming emotions, dragged myself to my feet, and left the restaurant, every step feeling impossibly heavy.

Meanwhile, after leaving the hospital, Darius couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest.

As he drove Cindy home, his phone suddenly rang.