Chapter 4

Nora quickly covered Anthony's mouth. "Don't mind him. He's talking nonsense."

Violet burst out laughing. "Talking nonsense? The kid just got out of surgery, and he's still more honest than any of you adults."

Mason's voice was low and heavy. "Isabella, Anthony's only five."

"Michael was just six," Isabella snapped.

Mason couldn't say a word.

Lily Gonzalez, one of the Gonzalez family's relatives, stepped up with a sneer. "Isabella, everyone's heartbroken over Michael. But don't go taking it out on Anthony.

"If people start saying the Gonzalez family's daughter-in-law can't even stand a sick kid, that's gonna sound pretty ugly."

Violet was about to fire back, but Isabella held her off.

"Lily's got a point. If word gets out, it'll sound awful," Isabella said.

Lily adjusted her shawl with a smug little smile. "Well, it's good to see you've finally come to your senses."

Isabella shot her a cold look. "Then why don't you say that again right here in front of Michael's grave? Go on, tell everyone his life mattered less than Anthony's reputation."

Lily opened her mouth, but the words just wouldn't come.

Riley was helped forward, her eyes zeroing in on the prayer beads hanging around Anthony's neck.

"Take them off," she said.

Mason frowned. "Grandma, Anthony's still recovering. Please, don't upset him."

Riley stared him down. "I said, take them off."

Nora bit her lip, slowly unclasped the prayer beads from Anthony's neck, and handed them to Isabella.

Isabella slipped them into the little pouch beside the urn.

She hugged the urn and walked up to the grave.

"Michael, Mommy got them back for you," Isabella whispered.

Rain dripped from the ends of her hair, but she didn't bother to wipe it away.

Mason stood behind her. "Isabella, after the funeral, let's talk."

"About the divorce?" Isabella shot back.

Some of the guests lifted their umbrellas a little higher.

Mason lowered his voice even more. "Not here."

Isabella turned to look at him. "What, are you afraid of losing face?"

"Not today," Mason said.

"But it was fine to give away the bone marrow, and it was fine to give away the prayer beads today. Now that it's time for a divorce, suddenly it's not the right moment?" Isabella shot back.

Suddenly, Nora grabbed onto the edge of the tombstone and slumped down, like she just couldn't stay upright anymore.

"Mason, I feel terrible," she whimpered.

Mason immediately reached out to catch her.

Violet muttered, "She always picks the perfect time to pass out."

Isabella watched Mason pick Nora up and head for the car.

Anthony ran after them. "Daddy, wait for me."

Isabella stood alone at the grave, with only the white flowers left behind, no one to take them.

Riley walked over to her. "Isabella, I'm sorry you had to go through all this today."

Isabella picked up the white flowers and tossed them straight into the trash.

"Grandma, it's never just today," Isabella replied.

Riley didn't say anything.

Isabella opened her bag and pulled out a divorce agreement.

She handed it to Riley.

"Could you pass this along to him?" Isabella said.

Riley glanced at it. "You're really walking away empty-handed?"

"All I want is Michael," Isabella said.

"You'll regret this," Riley said.

Isabella shook her head. "The only thing I regret is ever marrying him."

She turned to leave, but Mason's assistant suddenly came running from the parking lot and blocked her way.

"Mrs. Gonzalez, Mr. Gonzalez says Miss Parker is really upset. He wants you to go and apologize to her," the assistant said.

Violet almost burst out laughing in disbelief. "Did you seriously just say that?"

The assistant swallowed hard. "Mr. Gonzalez says all this started because you took the prayer beads. Anthony's sobbing so much he can't catch his breath, and Miss Parker's really shaken up too."

Isabella stared at him.

"At my son's funeral, who exactly am I supposed to apologize to?" Isabella shot back, her voice icy and full of contempt.

The assistant couldn't meet her eyes. "Mr. Gonzalez is waiting for you in the car."

Isabella strode toward the parking lot, her steps full of resolve.

Violet caught up to her, breathless. "You're seriously going?"

"Of course," Isabella said.

Mason's car was parked at the curb.

The door was open, Nora was collapsed in the seat, tears streaming down her face. Anthony was curled up in Mason's arms, crying for the prayer beads.

Mason saw Isabella and didn't bother with a hello. He just said, "Let Anthony wear the beads for a while."

Isabella asked, "How long?"

"Until he's calm," Mason replied.

"And after he's stable?" Isabella asked.

Mason snapped, "It's just a string of beads."

Isabella took out the small pouch and opened it in front of him.

The string of beads was soaked by the rain, the sandalwood beads had lost their shine, looking faded and worn.

She broke them apart one by one.

The beads fell into the puddles, scattering everywhere.

Anthony's crying stopped.

Nora's face went pale.

Mason shot to his feet. "Isabella."

Isabella tossed the broken string at his feet.

"Now nobody gets to wear it," Isabella said.

For the first time, Mason lost his temper with Isabella.

He shoved her into the car, slamming the door shut with a heavy thud.

Violet tried to chase after them, but the bodyguards blocked her way. She stood in the rain, calling Mason every name in the book until her voice cracked and broke.

Isabella sat in the back seat, her wet skirt clinging to her legs.