Chapter 3

I read through the rest of the file in the car.

Page after page.

This woman had quite the history.

I set the folder down and stared out the window.

Mom, I'm sorry.

I brought him into our family. I let him stay for four years. I ignored the signs, swallowed the lies, and told myself it would get better.

And now, because of my stupidity, some woman was about to wear your ashes around her neck while fucking my husband at your grave.

I failed you.

The car slowed. I looked up.

We were at the cemetery entrance. Through the gates, I could see two figures standing together in the distance, holding flowers.

They hadn't reached my mother's grave yet.

I still had time.

I got out of the car and walked toward them.

Rhett saw me first. His face went pale.

Tessa was clinging to his arm, wearing a black dress and a soft, sad expression. The diamond necklace glittered against her chest.

My mother's ashes. On her skin.

"Cordelia—" Rhett started.

I walked straight up to Tessa and ripped the necklace off her neck.

The clasp broke. She stumbled back with a gasp.

"What the hell are you doing?" She clutched her throat, eyes wide. "Rhett, she's insane—"

"Did you buy her the burial plot?" I turned to Rhett. "Answer me."

He hesitated. "I—yes. Her mother passed away, and she couldn't afford—"

"And the necklace? Did you know what it was when you took it from my vanity?"

"It's just a diamond." He frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"This diamond," I held it up, "was made from my mother's ashes."

Rhett's face changed. The color drained from his cheeks.

"What?"

"I had it commissioned after she died. Two carats. Created from her remains." I looked at Tessa. "And she knew."

Tessa's eyes flickered—Loss. Then something else. A flash of defiance.

"I didn't know," she whispered. "Rhett, I swear, I had no idea—"

"Bullshit." I stepped closer. "This necklace was made at Eternal Rest. Your workplace. You processed the paperwork yourself."

I turned to Rhett. "I want a divorce."

His face went white. "Cordelia—wait—"

"You let her steal my mother's ashes. You don't respect my mother. You don't respect me. We're done."

"Please, just calm down. We can talk about this—"

Tessa's lips parted. For a split second, the mask slipped. I saw the smirk underneath.

Then she burst into tears.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She grabbed Rhett's arm, burying her face in his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just wanted something pretty to wear. I didn't know it was her mother's—"

Rhett wrapped his arm around her. He looked at me, torn.

"Cordelia, you have it back now. No harm done." His voice was careful, diplomatic. "Can we just—"

"I want her to apologize to my mother."

"What?"

"Walk to that grave." I pointed toward my mother's headstone. "Get on her knees. And apologize."

Tessa sobbed harder. "Rhett, please—she's scaring me—"

Rhett's jaw tightened. "Cordelia, that's enough. She said she didn't know. You got the necklace back. What more do you want?"

I stared at him.

Four years of marriage. A hundred blood prints. And he was still choosing her.

"Fine." I turned to leave. "You're not coming home tonight, are you?"

Rhett opened his mouth to answer.

Tessa cut in first, her voice small and wounded. "He promised to stay with me. To visit my mother's grave."

I paused.

I looked at her—the tears, the trembling lip, the helpless grip on my husband's arm.

"You really are pulling out all the stops, aren't you?"

Tessa blinked. "What?"

I smiled. "Nothing. Give your mother my regards."

I walked away.

I got back to the car and sat down. Looked at the necklace in my hand. The broken clasp. The diamond that used to rest against my heart.

Mom.

I couldn't leave. Not like this.

I had to go back. Kneel at her grave. Tell her I was sorry for letting this happen. For bringing these people anywhere near her.

I got out and walked toward the headstones.

I made my way through the rows until I reached my mother's grave.

Then I stopped.

Next to her headstone, the ground had been disturbed.

Someone had dug a hole. Fresh dirt was piled to the side. It was deep enough to bury something small.

But nothing was inside yet.

My blood ran cold.

I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned around.

Rhett and Tessa were walking toward me. She was holding his arm with one hand.

In the other, she held an urn.