Chapter 3

Lucas and Brielle arrived the next day.

I'd stayed at the police station the whole time.

I hadn't gone home.

Mom had a heart condition.

I didn't want her worrying.

The moment Lucas saw me, he started yelling.

"Nora, what the hell are you doing?"

Brielle carried the limited-edition bag purchased with my money.

Tears streamed prettily down her face.

"Sweetie, are you really going to make everyone miserable just because you're angry?"

I ignored them and walked toward the officer who had taken my statement.

"That's him.

"He's the person who transferred my money.

"And the bag she's carrying was purchased with it."

Lucas stepped in front of me.

He held up his phone.

Our old couple photo was still his wallpaper.

"Officer, she's my fiancée.

"We had an argument.

"I'm sorry you've been dragged into this."

The officer looked at me.

"You said he transferred the funds. What evidence do you have?"

"I—"

Before I could answer, Brielle took my hand.

She smiled.

"I already called your mom on the way here.

"I told her something happened and you were at the police station.

"Don't worry. She'll be here soon."

My heart dropped.

"What did you say?"

My phone rang.

"Are you a family member of this phone's owner?

"The owner has been in a traffic accident.

"Her condition is critical. You need to come to the hospital immediately."

The phone slipped from my hand.

The cracked screen shattered further.

Lucas grabbed my trembling hand.

"Don't panic.

"I'll take you.

"Your mom is going to be okay."

The emergency-room light burned red above the doors.

I crouched against the wall, praying to anyone who might be listening.

Eventually, the light went out.

I stumbled toward the doctor and grabbed his sleeve.

He shook his head.

That single motion destroyed the last piece of hope I had.

Mom came out beneath a white sheet.

Every sound around me disappeared.

All I could hear was my own heartbeat.

I pulled her hand from beneath the sheet.

"Mom...

"Please wake up.

"Please don't leave me alone."

Lucas stood beside me with both fists clenched.

He reached down to steady me.

"Nora, she's gone.

"Don't do this to yourself.

"You still have me and Brielle."

Then I saw it.

A flicker of a smile on Brielle's face.

I shoved Lucas away and crossed the hall.

My hand cracked across Brielle's cheek.

"Are you even human?

"My mother loved you.

"Why would you do this to her?"

I raised my hand again.

Lucas grabbed my shoulder.

The next second, he flung me aside.

My forehead struck the wall.

Blood ran past my eyebrow and hit the floor.

Lucas pulled Brielle behind him.

"Your mom stepped into traffic on her own.

"What does that have to do with Brielle?"

He started to say more.

Then he saw the blood on my face.

His voice softened slightly.

"Calm down.

"I'm taking Brielle to have her face checked.

"She's a woman. If that leaves a scar, it'll affect her for life."

They left.

I knelt beside my mother's body and cried until there was nothing left in my throat.

At the funeral, an officer showed me the traffic-camera footage.

Mom knew I loved shrimp.

She had gone to the market early so she could buy the freshest ones before I came home.

While crossing the road, she received a call from Brielle.

Only seconds later, Mom grabbed her chest.

She stumbled.

She didn't get out of the way of the oncoming truck.

After the officer left, Lucas arrived.

He crouched in front of me.

For once, he looked uncertain.

"Nora...

"I'm sorry.

"I... I'm getting married."