Chapter 2

At the hospital morgue, the medical examiner handed me a file. "Miss Bennett, here's the autopsy report and the cremation consent form."

I took the file and picked up a pen.

My dad had many friends, and even more connections in business.

But now that he was gone, I was the only one there to sign the cremation papers.

My hand was shaking uncontrollably as I put the pen to paper.

The medical examiner lowered his voice, "Should I call any other family members for you?"

I tightened my grip on the pen. My nails dug into my palm, the pain finally steadying my hand. "No. When can it be done?"

The medical examiner took the file back and glanced over my shoulder. No one stood behind me.

"Tomorrow at nine in the morning."

"Okay."

I stepped out of the hospital, the sunlight was glaring.

*****

The sun was just as harsh the first time my dad was admitted for tests.

Ethan canceled a meeting to keep me company in the hospital hallway.

My palms were slick with anxiety, and he gently enveloped my hand in his. "Don't worry. I'm here."

After the tests, my dad smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Ethan, Claire is not a brave girl. I'm counting on you to take care of her."

Ethan looked at me briefly, his eyes soft, then said, "Don't worry, Mr. Bennett. With me by her side, she won't have to go through anything alone."

*****

But this time, I was the one at the hospital, signing my dad's cremation papers alone.

My phone buzzed again.

It was David Carter from Bennett Holdings' accounting department. "Miss Bennett, Mr. Grant still hasn't made the money transfer."

"I see," I replied.

"Miss Bennett, please, you have to beg Mr. Grant again. Mr. Bennett can't be reached, and we can't let the company collapse."

"Mr. Carter," I cut him off, "how much is left in the company account?"

"Less than thirty thousand."

"Give the money as severance pay to the employees. Let everyone go home today."

David was stunned. "Miss Bennett, what do you mean by that?"

"The company is entering liquidation due to bankruptcy."

*****

Meanwhile, Ethan had just finished shopping with Emily, walking her out of the mall.

His assistant stood by the car and spoke quietly, "Mr. Grant, something happened at Bennett Holdings today. I heard something about Mr. Bennett."

Ethan was opening the car door for Emily when he heard this, his brows knitting together. "What?" Ethan let out a cold laugh. "Is Claire stirring things up again?"

The assistant paused before answering, "No, Mr. Grant—"

"Enough," Ethan cut him off. "Didn't I tell you not to bother me with any bad news from the Bennett family lately?"

The assistant stood there, not saying a word.

"I only want to know if Claire has backed down, if she's gone home, and if she's come to me for help. Everything else can wait until she's no longer so arrogant," Ethan added.

*****

I went to the funeral home.

The staff showed me the options for the urns. "This rosewood one is so good. It keeps out moisture and bugs. The price is twenty thousand dollars."

I took out my bank card. "I'll pay with my card."

The POS terminal said there were insufficient funds.

Then I remembered I'd already emptied my account yesterday to pay off the hospital.

When my dad was alive, he feared nothing more than me being unhappy. But now that he was gone, I couldn't even afford to buy him a proper urn without scrambling for money.

"Just a moment," I said.

I stepped aside and opened a resale app on my phone, listing the watch and necklace Ethan had once given me for sale.

Someone quickly bought them and paid.

Those gifts, once proof of his love, were ultimately only good for one thing: giving my dad a decent burial.

I cashed out the money and sent it to my bank account.

I walked back to the counter. "Try this card."

The staff wrapped up the urn and handed it to me.

I held the urn in my arms and sat down on a bench outside the funeral home.

The urn was so light, but as I cradled it in my arms, they ached so badly I could barely hold on.

Ethan was calling again.