Chapter 6

Evelyn left the living room with her cheek still stinging, her palm pressed over the swollen skin. She almost walked straight into three people coming up the steps.

She instinctively shrank back into the shadow of the entryway and watched as Daniel and Zoe climbed out of the car. Noah stood between them, happily holding each of their hands. The three of them looked exactly like a family.

"Aunt Zoe, are you feeling better?" Noah asked.

Zoe smiled and ruffled his hair. "Much better."

"Great! Now, you can finally play with me again!" Noah kicked a pebble out of his way, grinning from ear to ear.

"Mom is boring and annoying. You're the only one who gets me. Good thing she didn't show up today. She would've ruined everything."

Zoe's smile deepened. She put on a gentle, helpless tone. "Noah, you can't talk about your mom like that."

"Why not?" He puffed out his cheeks. "She's awful! She's mean and always pretending to be pitiful! She wouldn't even drink one glass of liquor for you! If anyone should get cancer, it should be her!"

The words hit Evelyn like a bolt of lightning, and her body went rigid. The rest of their conversation blurred into a distant drone.

She stayed where she was, hidden in the corner like a ghost. She waited until she heard their laughter drift from inside the house. Only then did she turn and walk away.

She felt her life had become painfully pathetic, miserable beyond words. She had carried Noah for nine months, yet he wished her dead without a flicker of hesitation.

Tears spilled over as she walked away.

As they wished, she was the one with cancer. Once she was gone, Zoe would take over her place without a hitch. Noah would get what he wanted.

...

Back at the villa, Evelyn went through every room and cleared out anything that belonged to her. Then, she threw it all into a brazier and lit it in the backyard. She burned their wedding photo, their family photo, and every gift she had chosen for Daniel and Noah over the years.

When Daniel came home and saw the fire, his eyes widened in panic. He ignored the heat and pain, reaching straight into the blaze to grab for their photo. He managed to pull out half of a photo. The rest had already turned to ash.

His eyes went bloodshot as he shouted, "Evelyn! Are you insane? These are our family's memories. Why would you burn them?"

Noah stomped his feet in a fit of fury. "Those stuffed toys were my favorites! Why did you burn them?"

Evelyn said expressionlessly, "Doesn't Zoe buy you new toys now? You tossed those stuffed toys into the storage room yourself. What else would they have been good for?"

Noah's cheeks flushed bright red. He did love the toys Zoe bought. Who wanted old when they could have new? But those stuffed toys were all handmade by Evelyn.

Noah's hands balled into fists. His anger surged up uncontrollably, and he shoved Evelyn hard. "Bad mom! I hate you!"

He grabbed the only half-burned toy that hadn't fallen into the flames, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and ran back into the house.

Evelyn hit the ground hard. The brazier toppled, embers and burning wood rolling toward her. A piece of hot coal landed against her bare forearm. The sear of it made her gasp as the skin blistered and burned.

Daniel didn't notice at all. He was still staring after Noah.

When he finally looked back at her, his voice was cuttingly cold. "Noah shouldn't have pushed you, but you've gone too far! This isn't how you throw a tantrum. Get those photos restored from the negatives today. If you don't, then don't show up at the wedding!"

With that, he stormed off.

A cold, mocking smile tugged at Evelyn's lips. This was the excuse Daniel had been waiting for. If she didn't show up to the wedding, it would make things a whole lot easier for him to stand at the altar with Zoe instead.

It was fine. She hadn't planned on going anyway.

By the time Daniel put a ring on Zoe's finger, Evelyn would already be on a ferry to her own private island.

...

Over the next few days, Daniel and Noah froze her out on purpose. They didn't even greet her when they saw her.

Evelyn didn't care at all. She packed the few clothes she planned to take and was ready to leave at any time.

Tomorrow, she could finally leave this place.

Just then, her phone buzzed. Zoe had sent her a photo.

Evelyn opened it, and her eyes widened in shock. It was a photo of the one keepsake her grandmother had left for her. She was the only person who had ever truly loved her. Right next to the keepsake was a brazier.

Evelyn called Zoe immediately. "Zoe, what are you doing?"

"Come find me. I want to make a deal," Zoe said.

Evelyn grabbed her keys and rushed out the door. She had barely stepped outside when a hard blow slammed into the back of her neck. She collapsed instantly, her vision fading into darkness.

Right before she passed out, she heard Zoe's voice. "Tie her tight. Don't let her run away."