Chapter 3

On Mom’s death anniversary, I waited for a long time.

Dad at least had someone deliver flowers and candles.

But Julian never showed.

I called him, three times, no answer.

The fourth call finally connected.

And it was Mia’s mother, Ann.

“Grace? You looking for Julian?”

“Today is my mom’s death anniversary.”

“Oh my god. It’s Nora’s anniversary?” Ann gasped, acting horrified. “Look at us, we’re awful.”

“My little dog just had pups today. Julian and Mia were so obsessed, they forgot the important stuff…”

“At this point, even if we rush over, we probably won’t make it. What are we going to do?”

“Ann, who’s on the phone?” someone asked in the background.

“It’s Grace,” Ann said. “She sounds mad. What do we do, Julian?”

Then Julian’s voice came on. “Grace? Hey—”

I hung up.

And I blocked his number.

On the gravestone, Mom smiled at me from a black-and-white photo.

Gentle. Loving.

I knelt there, but it felt like I was sinking into something ice-cold and bottomless.

I hugged the stone like I could hug her and pressed a kiss to it.

It was fine.

At least I would never forget her.

Not ever.

When I got back from the lawyer’s office and returned to that little house—

I happened to see them, all three.

Mia stood between them, tucked into the center like she belonged there.

She held a huge bouquet, practically glowing with happiness.

Julian spoke first when he saw me.

“Grace, look at Mia. She’s amazing. Her designs won an international award.”

Mia lowered her eyes, all shy humility. “I just… wanted to catch up to Grace, that’s all.”

Victor held the design drafts and snorted. “Catch up to her?”

“She apprenticed under a famous mentor and still never won a single award.”

“This kind of thing is talent, Mia. Don’t sell yourself short.”

My gaze snapped to the lines on the drafts.

I took two steps forward and yanked them out of Victor’s hand.

One page after another—

They were almost identical to my original drafts.

Mia stole my work. That award was mine.

“You stole my designs!” My whole body shook. “Mia, how can you be this shameless—”

I raised my hand to slap her—

Victor seized my wrist hard.

The next second, an enormous force hit me.

He shoved me down.

I crashed to the floor, humiliating and painful.

“Grace, you’ve been spoiled and vicious since you were little,” Victor said, looking down at me. “I’ve tolerated you for a long time.”

“Mia won that award on her own ability. You say she stole from you. Where’s your proof?”

“If you can’t show us, then you’re slandering her.”

“Grace, I didn’t steal anything,” Mia sobbed, collapsing into Victor’s arms.

“You’ve always hated me. When would I ever have a chance to get near your computer?”

I whipped my head toward Julian.

My laptop was always in the study.

The only one who went in there all the time was him.

Julian avoided my eyes, guilty as sin.

At that point, was there anything else I didn't understand?

“Look at you, Grace” Victor said, towering over me. “What do you think you look like right now?”

He tossed my Blood Moonstone at me like it was garbage.

It hit the floor beside me with a dull clink.

“I really don’t understand why I ever liked you.”

I lifted my head with a mocking smile, about to speak and then my eyes caught on the necklace at Mia’s throat.

When I recognized it, my whole body went cold with rage.

It was a diamond necklace shaped like a tulip.

My mother’s.

“Julian,” I said, voice shaking, eyes turning red, “what right do you have to give Mom’s necklace to her?”

Julian’s lips pressed together. He looked uneasy. “Grace…”

Mia lowered her head, tears dripping. She reached up like she was going to take it off.

“Grace, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was Nora’s keepsake. I’ll give it back right now.”

She cried as she spoke.

Julian’s face softened instantly, pained for her. “Mia, don’t take it off. I gave it to you.”

Then he looked at me. “It’s just an object. If Mia likes it, let her have it.”

“I’ll buy you an even better one.”

It felt like my heart was being carved open, piece by piece. My voice trembled.

“That was Mom’s. It’s mine. You don’t get to decide.”

“And besides, I'd rather smash it, throw it away, burn it than let a mistress’s daughter take it!”

Julian’s face flashed with embarrassed anger.

“Grace! Don’t be so malicious toward Mia.”