Chapter 4
I was just
Chase stood
ing
college
then, my
face fresh and innocent, full of sunshine.
there grimly, staring at my black and white photo, his thoughts unreadable.[]
His assistant stood at a distance, barely daring to breathe.]]
My soul hovered nearby, looking sadly at my own grave.
My brother had arranged this burial. Our mother, overcome with grief, had passed away the year after my death.[]
“Dig it up!”
Chase’s sudden command startled his assistant.]]
“Mr. Vincent, what… what did you just say?”
“Are you deaf? I said dig up her grave!”
The assistant turned ghostly pale.
We can’t do that, Mr. Vincent! That’s–that’s absolutely insane! Miss Parker is gone. Let her rest in peace.“[]
“We
But Chase wouldn’t back down.]
“If you don’t want to do it, pack your shit and get the hell out–today!“[]
The poor assistant looked miserable as the bodyguards reluctantly began digging.
Chase watched intently until a small urn was unearthed.[]
He snatched it away and violently lifted the lid.]
Before opening it, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he exhaled deeply.
As he raised the lid, the bodyguards and assistant all lowered their heads.
Then came Chase’s scornful laugh, tinged with triumphant joy.
“Ahahaha! I freaking knew it! This woman’s been playing me! Let’s see you fake this one, Mia!“]
The assistant stood frozen, unable to resist peeking inside. His jaw dropped in shock.
“It’s… empty…“[]
Yes, empty.
My ashes were never buried here.]
Chase walked away with the white porcelain urn, completely missing the black box hidden beneath the headstone.]]
My beautiful youth and unresolved regrets were all concealed in that tiny box.
Chase went to the Parker home again.
Downstairs, Ruby had come too, her pale complexion making her look even more pitifully fragile.]]
Chase took off his jacket to wrap around her. As he bent down, a small silver pendant became visible on Ruby’s neck.[]
My spirit contracted painfully.
That pendant… I had gotten it from a remote sanctuary after a three–day spiritual retreat in the mountains. I’d had it blessed with a strand of my hair woven inside, something the old sanctuary keeper said would protect its wearer from harm.
My lips stiffened as searing pain tore through my soul
The pendant had worked–in essence, I had taken Ruby’s misfortune upon myself.]
“Jackson! Zoey! Get Mia out here right now!“]
Ruby started sobbing the moment she entered.]
I came to apologize to Mia. It’s all my fault. If she’ll save me, I promise I’ll never see Chase again!“]}
She suddenly started coughing, her palm covered in blood.[]
Zoey glared at her with rage, shouting for them to get out and shoving Ruby.
Chase smashed the white urn to the floor. “The urn is empty! You claim she’s dead, but where are her ashes?”
Jackson’s chest heaved violently as he realized Chase had actually desecrated the grave.[]
He snapped, lunging at Chase as they grappled with each other.[]
In the scuffle, they knocked into a wall niche. A crystal photo frame crashed to the floor, shattering instantly.[]
Chase glanced at it, then froze, his eyes almost breaking apart.[]
Under the ever–burning crystal lamp was my photograph.[]
“You’re… worshipping someone who’s alive…”
But in the next moment, his voice began to tremble.[]
“Or… is Mia really dead?“]]
“You monster! You treated her like garbage when she was alive, and now you won’t leave her alone even in death!“]
Jackson stumbled to his feet and lunged at Chase again.[]
“NO! NO! This can’t be real!“]]
Chase gasped for air, veins bulging on his forehead. “How could she be dead?!“]]
He shook off jackson’s grip and reached down to gather the broken glass.
At that moment, I felt my soul shattering. Chase’s hands were bleeding from the glass shards.
That hot, sticky blood burned through me like molten lava. I let out an agonizing scream.]
Zoey slapped his hands away. “Don’t touch my sister! You don’t deserve to!”
Ruby stepped forward, wrapping his bleeding palms with her handkerchief.[]
“Let’s go!”
