Chapter Eight

Selene had both hands tangled in her hair as she stared down at the photos scattered across her desk. Her grip tightened with every new image her eyes landed on. Her jaw clenched, her teeth gritted, and the rage in her eyes darkened with anger.

But then she took a deep breath, straightened up, and put on a soft, professional smile as she turned her gaze to Michael.

“Thank you so much for this. Eileen will settle you accordingly,” she said, her voice quiet but composed.

“You’re welcome. I’m going to leave the pictures here with you. But I’ll send in a written report and digital copies to the email you sent me,” Michael replied.

Selene gave a small nod, and they all rose to their feet.

“Once again, thank you,” she said, extending her hand.

“You’re welcome,” Michael said, taking her hand in his. He hesitated for a second, then spoke, “You know… for what it’s worth, I hope you leave this man and find someone else who loves you the way you deserve.”

Selene let out a small smile as she expressed her gratitude for Michael’s words. They stared at each other for a few seconds before he gave her a polite nod and turned to leave with Eileen.

Now, she was alone.

She stayed standing for a moment, then slowly sat back down. Her hands moved to her face, then to her desk. Her shoulders began to shake. Her chest tightened, and her throat burned as tears pushed their way out. She lowered her head to her desk, sobbing into her arms.

Damien had been right. A part of her always knew. But this—this confirmation—hit like a blade.

“Selene…” a voice called from her side.

She didn’t need to look. She already knew who it was.

She raised her head slowly. Her cheeks were wet, her breath uneven. Her mother’s figure stood there, quiet, as always, watching her.

“Why do you cry, Selene?” The figure asked gently.

“I did everything right,” Selene whispered, her voice thin. “I loved him like no other. And it wasn’t enough? Was I not good enough?” Her voice shook. “Tell me what I did wrong. Was I too much? Or not enough? Because I gave him everything, and still, he chose her.”

She blinked and more tears fell.

“How do you love someone so deeply… and they still look at someone else like you never existed?”

The figure didn’t speak at first. It just moved closer and rubbed her back gently. Selene’s lips trembled as she looked up at her, eyes red and teary.

“No. You weren’t enough for him,” the figure said quietly. “But he was never worthy of all you gave.”

Selene looked down. Her lips trembled again. The figure tilted her head slightly, studying Selene's face before continuing.

“You think love is a shield. It’s not. It’s a gamble. And you lost this one.”

Selene tears trailed faster at the words, her gaze still fixed on the figure.

“That’s why he cheated on me with my best friend. Maybe I wasn’t there for him when he needed me. Maybe I didn’t satisfy him enough.” Selene’s voice quivered as she spoke.

“He didn’t cheat because you lacked anything,” the figure said, her tone calm but sure. “He cheated because he did. Weak men run to what’s easy when they can’t handle what’s real.”

Selene kept her head down, lips trembling.

“And your best friend?” the figure added. “She was never your friend. Just someone waiting for an opportunity. Who knows if meeting you was even a coincidence.”

Selene’s heart stung. She couldn’t speak. The pain was heavy in her chest, but her sobs said what her mouth couldn’t. She covered her face with her palm as she cried, and all the while, the figure kept rubbing her back.

“Why do all the people I love hurt me?” Selene asked, barely above a whisper.

“Because you keep giving your heart to people who only know how to break things,” the figure said, tilting her head slightly. Her tone softened, but it didn’t lose its truth. “Maybe it’s not love you’re chasing. Maybe it’s proof. Proof that someone will finally choose you… and stay.”

Selene’s shoulders shook harder. Then, through her tears, her voice cracked.

“Then why did you leave me? You could’ve chosen me. You were all I needed. Why did you and Dad have to die? You were supposed to protect me.”

“I didn’t choose to leave you,” the figure replied, and for the first time, her voice cracked too.

Something shifted on her face—grief, maybe. Regret. Whatever it was, it made Selene pause.

“And your father…” the figure exhaled. “You know death doesn’t ask for permission.”

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

It was the first time Selene had seen her cry. But she was too heartbroken to reach for her, too broken to respond.

The figure quickly wiped her tear away.

She stepped closer, her voice lower now. “But I should’ve been there. I know that. I was supposed to protect you, and I didn’t. That’s why I keep coming back, isn’t it?” She gave a small, hollow smile. “You only see me when you’re breaking.”

Selene stood still, taking in the words. Her throat tightened. Then, quietly, she asked,

“What do I do now? Where do I go from here?”

“You survive.” The figure’s voice held no softness, only truth. “You stand up, even when it feels like your legs won’t hold you. You walk through the fire they lit around you, and you don’t wait to be saved.” She leaned in, her gaze dark. “You decide what this pain makes of you. Ashes… or something they’ll regret burning. Selene Ward, make… them… pay.”

Selene bit her bottom lip as she held the figure’s gaze. Her chest rose and fell quickly, breath unsteady. Tears streaked her cheeks, but she didn’t look away.

She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to.

They just stared at each other—for once, not as ghost and daughter, but as two women who had loved and lost too much. And somehow, in the silence between them, everything else was said.

Suddenly, Selene heard a voice call out. “Ma’am!”

She turned quickly. It was Eileen, standing in the doorway, concern written all over her face. Selene’s chest rose and fell as she wiped the tears off her face, trying to collect herself. She glanced to the side, where the figure had just been, but it was gone.

Her eyes returned to Eileen, now stepping closer.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. I totally understand,” Eileen said softly.

“Thank you, Eileen. You can go home now,” Selene replied, her voice low, drained.

Eileen nodded. “I’ll see if I can swing by and pick up your meds soon.”

“It’s fine. I’ll pick it up myself. I haven’t even finished the last batches,” Selene murmured.

Eileen hesitated, her voice gentler now. “Ma’am… are you okay? Will you be okay?”

Selene opened her mouth, but the words didn’t come right away. She swallowed and finally said, “I… I don’t know. I think I’ll sleep on that thought. Go home now, it’s getting late. Send my love to Rain. I'll try to visit her soon.”

Eileen nodded but didn’t move. Her feet stayed planted, her eyes fixed on Selene’s. A beat passed before she spoke, her voice quiet.

“You know, when I was younger, I read a book where the main character said—‘Pain cannot be measured. It can be served, it can be tweaked, and it can be felt.’ I didn’t really understand it back then. And I don’t even know why I’m saying this now but… I just want you to know that I feel what you’re feeling. And whatever you decide to do… I fully and wholeheartedly support.”

Selene looked at her, and for a second, her expression softened.

“Thank you, Eileen,” she said, meaning every word.

“Goodnight, ma’am.” Eileen gave her a small smile.

“Goodnight, Eileen,” Selene echoed.

Eileen gave a small bow and turned, her footsteps quiet as she left the room.