Chapter 3

It was Mom’s death anniversary.

I waited at her grave for a long time.

Only a few bouquets of flowers arrived, sent by Dad’s assistant.

Jones had promised he wouldn’t forget, but he never showed up.

I picked up my phone and called him. It took over ten tries before someone finally answered. It was Rose’s mother.

"Oh, Grace! Jones is busy helping Rose right now. Did you need something?"

"Today is my mother’s death anniversary."

"Oh no, your mom’s day… We completely forgot. How awful of us. Our little kitten just gave birth today. Jones and Rose were helping her through labor. We got so caught up in it that we forgot all about the important stuff. Even if we leave now, we probably won’t make it in time. What should we do?"

"Who’s on the phone?"

"It’s Grace. She sounds upset. You'd better talk to her."

"Hey, Grace?" Jones’s voice finally came through.

I hung up immediately and blocked his number.

The photo on Mom’s headstone still smiled at me, kind and gentle as ever.

It was early May. The world around me was bursting with life, but I knelt there, arms wrapped around her grave, frozen to the core.

'It’s okay, Mom. I’ll never forget you. I promise.'

After taking care of some paperwork, I headed back to the little villa.

On the way, I ran into the three of them: Kyle, Jones, and Rose.

Jones and Kyle flanked Rose on either side, walking like her personal bodyguards. She was holding a huge bouquet of flowers and a pile of gifts, smiling sweetly.

When they saw me, Jones was the first to speak.

"Grace, look how amazing Rose is! Her totem design got full endorsement from the Royal Werewolf Court."

Rose gave a modest, bashful little smile. "I just wanted to be as good as Gracie, that’s all…"

Kyle held up her designs, scoffing at me. "Trying to compare yourself to her? She’s a top university grad, and even she didn’t create anything noteworthy. When it comes to design, Rose, you're the one with real talent. Don’t lower yourself."

My gaze caught on the patterns in the design.

I snatched the papers from his hands without thinking. They were nearly identical to my drafts. Rose had stolen my work—and won with it.

"You plagiarized me! Rose, how shameless can you be?!" I was shaking with rage, my entire body trembling. I wanted to slap her.

Just as I raised my hand, Kyle shoved me to the ground.

I fell hard, completely humiliated.

"Grace, stop making a scene! I’m done putting up with your spoiled tantrums. Rose won on her own merit. You claim she stole from you. Where’s your proof? You’re just jealous she’s better than you."

"Gracie, I swear I didn’t copy your designs. You’ve never liked me. When would I even have gotten the chance to see your drafts?" Rose burst into tears and ran into Kyle’s arms.

I turned sharply to look at Jones.

My designs had always been kept in the study. Only one person besides me had access: Jones. He averted his eyes.

"You’re hopeless, Grace." Kyle looked down on me, full of contempt.

As he spoke, the gold pocket watch fell from his pocket, landing beside me with a soft clink. "I must’ve been blind to ever fall for someone like you."

I looked up, sarcasm burning in my eyes, just about to snap back when something caught my eye.

Rose’s wrist.

Clinging to Kyle’s arm, she wore a ruby bracelet shaped like a rose.

My mother’s bracelet. The one she left me on her deathbed.

"Jones! You gave her Mom’s bracelet?!" My voice shook, eyes red with fury as I pointed at Rose.

Jones pressed his lips together, flustered. "Grace, listen—"

Rose sobbed and quickly reached to remove the bracelet. "I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was your mother’s. I’ll give it back right now."

She wept as she fumbled at the clasp, but Jones couldn’t bear to see her upset.

"Rose, you don’t have to give it back. I gave it to you."

Then he turned to me, his voice hard. "Mom’s gone. If you keep that bracelet, you’ll just be haunted by grief. Rose likes it, so just let her have it. I’ll get you a nicer one tomorrow."

A stabbing pain twisted through my chest.

My voice trembled as I said, "That bracelet was Mom’s last gift to me. Jones, it’s not yours to give. I’d rather destroy it than let some homewrecker’s daughter wear it."

Jones flushed with shame and anger. "Grace, be reasonable. Rose did nothing wrong."