Chapter 4

Sadie's POV

After mailing the signed divorce papers to Brock, I drove to the cemetery.

Riley's grave was covered in fresh flowers, along with new toys and clothes. Her grave looked well cared for, just like every year when I came to see her.

"Riley, it's Mommy. I'm here again. Every year, I come back wishing I hadn't let my temper cost you your life. I kept hoping you'd find your way back to me someday. But now that the day's finally here, I don't have the strength to start over."

The tears came crashing down like a dam breaking, and the July sky cracked open right along with me, the downpour just as sudden and unpredictable.

I pressed a gentle kiss to the headstone. Then, just like that, the rain stopped.

I looked up and met Brock's eyes, soft with concern. He was holding an umbrella over me, most of his own body soaked through.

"You're not well, and the ground's cold. Come sit in the car."

He draped his dry jacket over my shoulders, his voice going gentle. "I'm not signing the divorce papers. Whatever Wendy has, you'll have the same. You both made mistakes back then. Let the past stay in the past and stop bringing it up."

He reached for my hand, trying to slide my old wedding ring back on, the gold worn dull from years of wear. I pulled away from his touch, my expression flat.

"I can't let it go, Brock. I'll never be able to forget."

His face hardened, his voice turning sharp. "Sadie, don't push your luck. I'm not sending Wendy away again for your sake."

I shook my head calmly. "Don't worry. I won't lay a hand on Wendy. I'm just asking you to give Riley her name back. Even if it's only for today."

Brock paused, then glanced at the time. "Then make it quick. The crew's on their way.

"The show's over. The Emerson family's studio lot and all the surrounding land is being redeveloped. Dad wants it turned into a theme park as a gift for the baby."

I stood there, rooted to the spot, barely able to process what I was hearing. "Then what happens to Riley? What happens to my daughter?"

Brock's voice stayed gentle. "Don't worry. I'll find her a new place. Somewhere even better than this."

The construction crew rolled in with their excavators, heading straight for Riley's headstone. I threw myself in front of it before I even knew what I was doing.

"No! You can't dig here! Brock, I'm begging you. I promise I'll stay far away from you and Wendy. Just don't touch Riley's grave. I'll do anything you want."

Brock took a step toward me, then stopped himself. His brow furrowed, and his tone turned impatient. "Sadie, stop making a scene. It's just a plot of land. It's not worth all this."

He reached for me, but I fought back with everything I had and slapped him hard across the face. Brock pressed his hand to his reddening cheek, his expression going cold.

"Leave her. Just dig."

He turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the sprawling cemetery. The workers exchanged uneasy glances, but in the end, the massive excavator arm swung upward.

I threw myself over the headstone, shaking from head to toe, and squeezed my eyes shut.

…

Third-Person POV

On the drive back, Brock got a call from the studio lot. "Dr. Emerson, the actress playing Dr. Blair's stand-in sent you an email with the details from the last visitation."

Brock opened it, tired and distracted, scrolling through without much interest. When his eyes hit the last line, the color drained from his face.