Chapter 2

"Where is Daisy's father?"

Dr. Stevenson set the death certificate on the desk in front of me, his pen hovering.

"My daughter doesn't have a father."

"Charlotte, that's not what I asked. When you brought Daisy in last night, he wasn't here. If he isn't here for the cremation either, you might end up regretting it down the road."

"I won't."

Dr. Stevenson took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Time of death: 1.47 a.m. Cause of death: respiratory failure triggered by an acute asthma attack. Cardiac arrest occurred prior to arrival. Please review and confirm."

I recognized every word printed on the document. But strung together like that, it felt like a story happening to someone else entirely.

"It's correct."

"Sign here, please."

The tip of the pen cut right through the paper as I wrote "Charlotte Coleman".

Dr. Stevenson held the paper down and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to wait for him a little longer?"

"No."

A staff member from the funeral home came over and handed me three brochures. "The child was four years and seven months old, right?"

"Yes."

"What color urn would you prefer? We have simple white, durable wood, and a pink one featuring a teddy bear that costs an extra hundred and eighty dollars."

"The pink teddy bear one."

"Did she like pink?"

"She loved it."

"Then let's go with this one. You can see her one last time before the cremation. Would you like to go back?"

I shook my head.

I had personally adjusted the sleeves on her burial outfit. Seeing her one more time wouldn't make her warm again.

While I sat on a bench waiting for the paperwork to finish, my phone rang. It was the bridal shop.

"Miss Coleman, don't forget you have a fitting for your main wedding gown scheduled for 2 p.m. today!"

"Cancel it."

There was a silence on the other end. "But Mr. Graham just paid off the remaining balance this morning. He even asked us to alter the off-the-shoulder design into long sleeves, saying you get cold easily."

"Keep the deposit and the last payment."

"Miss, that's over a thousand dollars, and it's non-refundable. Did you and Mr. Graham have a disagreement?"

"No."

"It's completely normal to get nervous before the wedding, so please don't act on impulse. He even ordered those lily-of-the-valley bouquets you love, and we've cleared out the entire photo studio for you tomorrow."

"Please just tell him we're not doing the photoshoot."

The moment I hung up, a FaceTime call from Theo came through.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds before swiping to accept.

"Where are you?" he asked immediately.

Behind him was a private hospital room. Sophia was leaning back against the headboard, a medical tape securing an IV line on the back of her hand.

"At the funeral home."

Theo frowned. "Stop using places like that to say spiteful things. It's bad luck."

"I canceled the wedding photoshoot."

"I know. That's why I'm calling you." His voice softened slightly. "I had the main gown altered to the style you like, and I even pre-ordered that strawberry shortcake from your favorite bakery. Once Sophia's fever breaks, I'll take you for the fitting this afternoon."

"There's no need."

"Charlotte, I rescued her first last night because she was closer to the boat. You and Daisy were standing higher up, so I thought you could hold on for five more minutes. Besides, I told building maintenance to go back and get you two afterward."

"You didn't come back."

"I had to get Sophia to the hospital first! She was shaking nonstop."

Sophia turned her face away, speaking in a soft, weak voice. "Charlotte, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so scared, and I shouldn't have let Theo help me first. Please don't throw away Daisy's spot at that top preschool next month just to get back at me."

Theo's brow furrowed even deeper. "You used Daisy's preschool spot to threaten Sophia?"

"I haven't spoken a single word about it to her."

"Sophia wouldn't lie."

He paused, keeping his tone calm and stern. "Charlotte, if you don't show up for the dress fitting today, I'll give Daisy's preschool spot to Sophia's nephew."

"Daisy waited six months for that spot."

"Then you should know what's at stake."

"You're giving away her spot just to force me into a gown fitting?"

"Once you cool off, I'll get the spot back for her. If you just cooperate, things don't have to get this ugly."

Sophia reached out to gently fix his shirt collar. "Theo, she's just worried about Daisy. Don't be so harsh on her."

Theo grabbed her wrist and gently tucked her hand back under the blanket. "You still have a fever. Don't stress yourself out."

He looked back at the screen. "I'll explain everything when I come home tonight. You, Daisy, and me, we're a family. Isn't that enough for you?"

Just then, a worker opened the door and called out, "Family of Daisy Coleman? You can come pick up the urn now."

Theo's expression froze. "Who is calling for Daisy?"

I stared at his face on the screen.

"You can have the preschool spot. And I hope your whole family burns in hell."

Then I hung up the call and blocked his number immediately.

The worker handed me the pink urn. "Hold it tightly, miss. The lid doesn't latch."