Chapter 3

Andrew's voice lacked even a trace of guilt or hesitation.

"Arrange it as soon as possible. Stop letting your mother's grave affect Clara's health."

Every word crushed the air right out of my lungs.

Back in middle school, Clara visited my home nearly every day with Olivia.

My mother always remembered her favorite dishes and cooked them especially for her.

When Clara's mother passed away from a terminal illness, her family was completely bankrupt.

They couldn't even afford a simple casket.

I used my own savings to give her mother a proper burial.

My mother and I had treated her with nothing but unconditional kindness.

Yet now, Clara wasn't satisfied with destroying my life while I was breathing. She was coming after my dead mother, too.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted copper. My voice shook violently.

"No way. My mother has been at rest for years. I will never allow you to move her grave."

My refusal set off Andrew's anger. His tone turned sharp and cruel over the receiver.

"Summer, when are you going to grow up? Moving a grave is a simple matter. Clara’s health is at risk. Why do you insist on making life miserable for her?"

Before I could reply, he hung up on me.

That afternoon, Andrew took a crew directly to the cemetery.

By the time I rushed there, my entire family was already waiting.

Aaron stepped forward to intercept me.

"Summer, stop being so stubborn. It’s just moving a headstone. What’s the big deal? The dead are at peace, but the living need our help."

I stared at Aaron, my own blood, defending the woman who betrayed me. My blood went cold in my veins.

Every ounce of restraint snapped.

I stormed past him and slapped Clara across the face.

Clara’s head snapped sideways. Tears instantly flooded her eyes as she choked back a sob.

"Andrew... I didn’t force her... I just feel so sick..."

A dark fury flashed across Andrew's face.

He grabbed my wrist in a crushing grip, his voice cold as steel.

"Summer Benedict! Have you lost your mind? Who gave you permission to lay a hand on her?"

Aaron grabbed my shoulder from behind, shouting, "Summer! You’ve gone way too far. Apologize to Clara right now!"

I thrashed violently, breaking free from his grip.

"Too far? Who is the one going too far?" My voice broke into a desperate scream. "I paid for her mother’s funeral! I gave her everything I had!"

"And how does she repay me? She ruined my marriage, and now she is desecrating my mother’s resting place!"

I turned to Aaron, tears streaming down my face. "Aaron, she was your mother, too! How can you stand by and let this happen?"

Heavy rain poured from the sky, blurring the tears on my face.

Aaron’s face went rigid, but his posture remained unyielding. "She’s gone, Summer. It’s just dirt and stone. Stop being so unreasonable!"

That single sentence severed the final bond between us.

Andrew looked at me, a brief flash of hesitation in his eyes.

Then Clara whimpered softly, "Summer is right. It’s all my fault. I shouldn't even be alive."

Andrew panicked at her words.

To soothe her, he made a ruthless decision.

"You struck Clara. As punishment, you will stand right here and watch them move the grave."

He gestured to the guards standing nearby.

Two men stepped forward and forced me onto my knees in the wet mud.

The workers raised their shovels and began digging into the earth.

My mother’s headstone began to tilt.

I shook uncontrollably, my voice hoarse from crying into the storm.

"Andrew Benedict, I’m begging you... please stop.

"She’s my mother! She’s gone, and she never did anything to hurt you!

"Clara’s illness has nothing to do with her grave, and you know it!

"Stop digging... please... I’m begging you!"

I surrendered every shred of my dignity, but Andrew didn't even blink.

Clara leaned against his chest, a faint smile hidden in the shadow of his shoulder. She was doing this on purpose.

A sharp crack echoed through the rain as the corner of the wooden casket was exposed to the mud.

Kneeling in the torrential downpour, I made a silent vow before my mother's broken resting place.

I would never forgive any of them.

---

After that day, I fell gravely ill.

I was still recovering in bed when a frantic call came from my daughter's school.

The principal's voice was tense with anxiety.

"Mrs. Benedict, you need to come to the school immediately! Chloe got into a severe confrontation with another student.

"Both children have run up to the roof of the academic building. It's extremely dangerous!"

My heart plunged into my chest. My hands and feet went completely numb.

Chloe was a gentle child who avoided conflict.

Why would she fight a classmate and run to the roof?

I rushed out the door and drove to the school as fast as the car could go, praying non-stop that my little girl was safe.

The heavy iron door to the rooftop was slightly ajar.

I pushed it open softly, and the scene before my eyes made my blood run cold.