Chapter 4
I moved back into the old house and stayed up all night scrubbing it down]
Lumni always liked things clean–if she came home to dust everywhere, she wouldn’t want to stay
I cooked all her favorite dishes today.
Mac and cheese, buffalo chicken bites, baked salmon with Cajun seasoning…
She had a thing for spicy food–just like Cassian.[]
Back when she was sick, I controlled everything she ate. []
I wouldn’t even let her near bell peppers.
But now, she can eat whatever she wants.]
I set her urn on the chair and sat beside it, waiting.
The wall clock chimed again and again.[]
It was already 7 p.m., and Cassian still hadn’t shown up.
I worried Lumi might come home and I wouldn’t be here–or worse, that she’d come home and Cassian still wouldn’t show.[]
I kept calling his phone, over and over.
Thirty times–no answer. []
On the thirty–first, he finally FaceTimed me back.
Just as I was about to speak, I saw him–wearing an apron, carrying out plates of perfectly plated food.[]
Even through the screen, I could see how happy he looked.[]
“Cassian, you’re amazing!”
Vesper walked up to him, arms wrapping around him gently.
He didn’t push her away.
And right next to them, Briar clapped her hands with a huge grin.]
“Mommy, can we keep Cassian forever?”
“I love him!”
Vesper glanced at the phone and then gave him this shy, flirty smile.
Cassian hesitated for maybe two seconds before picking Briar up and tossing her into the air, making her giggle like crazy.
He didn’t say a word, but his actions said enough.
I stared at the three of them–picture–perfect, like some happy little family–and my heart shattered all over again.
They got their perfect ending.
And Lumi and I?
Cassian, today is her seventh day
You promised you’d spend her last birthday with her.[]
So why the hell are you out there playing house with someone else’s kid?
Do you even remember our Lumi
I hung up, numb, and hat the three candles on the table[]
Maybe it was the spice from the food, but I could only swallow it down mixed with tears.[]
At nine, I went outside and hit a firepit []
One by one, I started burning everything Lumi had ever loved.[]
From tiny newborn onesies to big girl jeans.[]
From rattles to dolls
In five short years, I gave that child every ounce of love I had.]
And Cassian destroyed all of it]
How could I not hate him?]
i watched the flames eat away at her things, the fire turning them into ash.]
And finally, I broke
“Lumi today’s your seventh day, baby.”
Mommy brought everything you loved–don’t forget to come pick it up, okay?“[]
“From now on, Mommy won’t be there to take care of you anymore.“[]
“No more needles, no more medicine.“[]
“That’s a good thing, right…?”
I was still talking when I heard his voice behind me.[]
“Where’s Lumi?“]]
“Briar said some of her clothes don’t fit anymore, and she wanted to give them to Lumi.“[]
“I brought them over.“]
He pulled out dress after dress, showing them off like they were some kind of treasure.[]
“Brial remembered Lumi loved princess dresses–she gave her every single one.“[]
I couldn’t take it anymore. []
I snatched the dresses from his hands and threw them straight into the fire.]
It took him a second to realize what I’d done.
His voice rose, tight with anger
“What the hell, Elara?”
“You’re pissed at me, fine!”
“Bar don’t take it out on the kid!”
1 let out a cold, humorless laugh
My kid’s already dead.
You really gonna stand there and lecture me?
I pointed at the flames, staring him down.]
Chapter 4
“You said these were for our daughter, right?”
“Well, this is the only way she can receive them now.“[]
Cassian looked at the fire, watching Lumi’s things slowly disappear into the smoke.[]
His face twisted like someone had yanked all the air out of him. []
That calm, smug mask he always wore cracked right down the middle.[]
While he stood there, stunned, I picked up the box on the table and held it out to him.[]
“She left you a gift before she went.“[]
Maybe it was those two words–before she went–that hit him like a freight train.]
Even his hand trembled as he reached for it.]
He struggled with the ribbon, fumbling like his fingers had forgotten how to work.[]
inside were two sheets of paper, folded neatly.[]
One was Lumi’s death certificate.[]
The other–a divorce agreement with my signature already on it.]
I didn’t wait for his reaction.[]
I just smiled, that bitter smile I’ve perfected over the years.
“You said you wanted to grant her birthday wish, right?”
“Now’s your chance–sign it.“[]
