Chapter 3

I stayed in the hospital for a few days.

Kalan didn’t call once.

Only the CFO called, cautiously.

“Miss Seraphina, Mr. Vance’s… spending at the overseas resort has already exceeded ten million. At this rate, the company’s cash flow will break.”

I leaned against the headboard, looking at the grey sky outside the window.

“Let them.”

The CFO sounded anxious on the other end:

“But Miss Seraphina, the first payment for the South Ridge project is due soon. If that money is touched, we’ll be in breach of contract!”

“Do Mr. Vance and Miss Briar know about this?”

The CFO hesitated:

“They said it’s fine, that with you there, you’ll handle it.”

I chuckled softly: “Then let it default.”

I hung up and checked out of the hospital.

Today was the seventh anniversary of my mother’s death.

And the last day of my promise.

I bought a bouquet of my mother’s favorite white roses and went to Greenview Memorial Park.

But as I stood before that familiar tombstone, I froze.

The photo on the gravestone was unfamiliar.

The name carved on the epitaph was Daphne Reed.

Briar’s biological mother.

All the blood in my body instantly froze.

Behind me, I heard Kalan and Briar’s laughter.

“Seraphina, you’re here so early.”

Kalan carefully pushed Briar’s wheelchair, afraid of any bump.

I pointed at the cold stone, my voice trembling.

“Where’s my mother?”

Kalan frowned, seemingly displeased with my current attitude.

“Seraphina, lower your voice, don’t scare Briar.”

He shielded Briar behind him before slowly explaining:

“Briar dreamed a few days ago that Aunt Daphne said she was cold and lonely over there.”

“Your mother’s plot was such a prime location, so we let Aunt Daphne move in.”

My father also followed from behind, leaning on his cane, his face full of entitlement.

“Your mother never liked the sun when she was alive, you were the one who insisted on this spot.

“Now it’s perfect, for Aunt Daphne, she finally gets what she wished for.”

I looked at the three of them, like watching an utterly absurd play unfold.

“So, where is my mother?”

I asked, each word deliberate.

“Her ashes have been moved to the public cemetery plot behind.”

Kalan said lightly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything. Your mother won’t be homeless.”

Briar peeked out from behind him, timidly saying:

“Seraphina, don’t be angry. My mother is your elder too. She’s the baby’s biological grandmother now, part of both the Blackwood and Vance families. Taking care of her also honors Eleanor’s wishes.”

“That’s right, Seraphina.”

My father tapped the ground with his cane.

“You promised your mother you’d take good care of both the Blackwood and Vance families. Now Daphne is part of our family too; you can’t show favoritism.”

They used the seven-year promise I had meticulously kept to force me to accept this outrageous affair.

I looked at the unfamiliar tombstone for a long time, then suddenly, I laughed.

I didn’t argue with them anymore.

I turned and walked towards the public cemetery section behind.

Guided by the administrator, I found my mother’s small niche, too small even to have her name engraved yet.

I cradled the cold urn and walked out.

As I passed them, I didn’t stop.

Kalan probably thought I had compromised, and his tone softened.

“Seraphina, don’t throw a childish tantrum. Come home tonight, and our family will have a nice dinner together.”

“Briar even brought you a gift.”

What a grand favor.

I walked faster.

Leaving their nauseating voices behind me.

Before I left, I changed my last name to my mother’s, Hayes.

I also placed the finalized divorce papers on the nightstand in the master bedroom.

Ensuring that I had no further ties to the Blackwood or Vance families.

I boarded a plane for overseas, holding my mother's urn.

Back home, Kalan suddenly felt restless.

He frowned, asking Mr. Blackwood:

“Dad, isn’t today Seraphina’s mother’s death anniversary?”

My father shrugged carelessly:

“We just missed one time. Tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Davies go make up for it.”

But just then, the group’s secretary rushed in.

“Mr. Vance, Mr. Blackwood, it’s bad!”

“The company’s cash flow has broken, and a dozen projects have all defaulted!”

“Everyone we owe money to is currently blocking the entrance!”

My father frowned, yelling:

“Where’s Seraphina! Tell her to get over here and fix this immediately!”

The secretary was crying in panic:

“Mrs. Vance left a message and then became unreachable.”

Kalan grew even more uneasy:

“What did Seraphina say?”

“Mrs. Vance said, ‘It’s none of her damn business!’”