Chapter 2

It was raining softly on the day I buried my mother. However, the last person I wanted to see showed up.

Just as the crane was slowly lowering my mother's coffin into the grave, Cassandra arrived, carrying a bouquet of lilies. Without a word, she placed the flowers in front of the tombstone.

I could barely contain my disgust at her hypocrisy. I was sure my mother would have felt the same.

Without hesitation, I strode over and kicked her flowers away. "Get out! You're not welcome here!"

She let out a dramatic scream and stumbled back into Sebastian's arms, even though I hadn't laid a finger on her.

"Sebastian!" she whimpered, clutching her "injured" knee and curling into his chest like a frightened little rabbit.

Sebastian wrapped his arms around her, glaring at me. "Vivian! She's just here to pay her respects!"

Cassandra's eyes welled with tears as she put on her most pitiful look. "Vivian, I know you hate me. I never wanted this to happen. I'm so sorry… If only I had died instead, maybe then you wouldn't be in so much pain.

"Sebastian already punished me. If you're still angry, just hit me. Do whatever you want, Vivian…"

Cassandra always wore a mask. She had one face for Sebastian and a completely different one for me. She loved playing the victim, and Sebastian always believed her.

In the past, I put up with it for Sebastian's sake, swallowing my anger time and again. But now, I'd had enough.

I glared coldly at Sebastian. "Get this murderer out of here! I won't repeat it!"

Murmurs from the crowd made Cassandra's expression falter. She clenched her fists, eyes flickering with calculation, then gave a slight nod. "You're right, I'm making things worse. I'm sorry. I'll leave now…"

She backed away, but she "accidentally" tripped over something, pitching to the side.

"May you find eternal peace in the arms of angels…" the pastor said solemnly as the coffin was lowered.

But at that moment, Cassandra suddenly toppled to the side, crashing hard into my mother's coffin.

She was really strong. There was a loud bang. The heavy casket slammed onto the ground, one corner smashing against the stone with a terrible crack. The lid flew open, exposing my mother's pale face to the crowd.

"No!" I screamed, unable to believe what I was seeing. "Look at what you've done!"

I rushed over, frantically yet carefully repositioning my mother inside the coffin. Grief nearly suffocated me.

My mother was gone. Why couldn't Cassandra even let her have peace in the end?

My hands shook as I brushed the dirt from my mother's face. Then, I turned on Cassandra, striding toward her as my anger boiled over.

Cassandra burst into tears, trembling. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! I just slipped…"

"Vixen! I should rip your face off!" I raised my hand to slap her, but Sebastian grabbed my wrist before I could.

"Vivian, stop! Calm down! It was just an accident!" he shouted. "I'm sorry your mother's rest was disturbed. I'll make sure she gets a better burial plot..."

He was still trying to protect Cassandra.

"Save it," I said coldly, pulling my hand free. I was completely drained.

I didn't want to argue with them anymore. I just wanted my mother to finally rest in peace.

After turning away, I didn't give Sebastian another glance. He watched my retreating back, his hand still frozen in the air as his brows furrowed in frustration.

After the funeral, I left the cemetery exhausted, rain soaking through my clothes.

However, my nightmare wasn't over yet.

As soon as I stepped outside the cemetery gates, my phone rang. It was a call from the hospital.

"Ms. Morgan! There's been an emergency! Your father… He's passed away..."