Chapter 4

A violent shiver wracked Arthur's body. His phone slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground.

His eyes instantly filled with red when he saw me clutching our daughter's ashes.

He stood frozen for a long moment, muttering incomprehensible words under his breath.

Then, he suddenly dropped to his knees beside me.

"Eleanor, I... I can help—"

"Go away!"

The roar tore from my throat as hot tears spilled down my face unchecked.

"Keep your filthy hands off my daughter!"

"Eleanor, please, let me..."

His face twisted in pain. He reached out to carefully scoop up handfuls of the spilled ashes, ignoring my frantic blows against his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry. I broke the urn. I'm a worthless piece of trash..."

"She was never your daughter!" I spat. "Where were you the day she was born?"

"Where were you when she was a month old?"

"When every other child had a father, where was hers?"

"She never got a single shred of your love!"

His gaze flickered away. "...I'm sorry."

A bitter sneer twisted my lips as my glare shifted to Vanessa nearby.

"You only ever had eyes for her, your precious first love."

"You never saw us. Not your wife. Not your daughter."

Cradling the ashes carefully, I moved to place them back inside the small grave. Arthur remained kneeling nearby, his posture radiating pain and gut-wrenching guilt.

My fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles turned white. A dark, desperate urge surged through me—to end him right there, and then join my sweet girl.

"Just be at the courthouse tomorrow morning. On time." My voice was hollow. "After that, you're free. Go be with your first love."

I turned to leave, but he suddenly scrambled up and grabbed me from behind.

"Forgive me, please! I made a terrible mistake. I swear, I'll do right by you now—"

I tore myself free. "It’s too late. You've already lost me."

"No! You'll always be mine!" He sank back onto the muddy ground.

"Our daughter is gone, and now, I'm setting you free." I looked at him, utterly detached. "Are you happy now?"

"Please, I'm so sorry..." It was the only plea he had left.

"Now," I pointed toward Vanessa, "take her and get the hell away from my daughter. Go!"

He staggered to his feet. For a long moment, his burning gaze held mine. "I'll find a way to make this right."

Vanessa stepped toward me then, trembling with exaggerated fear. "I... I'm so sorry. I never knew he was married. As for your daughter... I am truly sorry."

However, I caught a flicker of satisfaction—maybe even triumph—in her eyes.

"Don’t you want this man?" My laugh was brittle. "He's all yours. I don't want him anymore."

"I hope," I added, "that when you have a child, he doesn't do this to you."

Vanessa's carefully crafted sorrow faltered, and her lips thinned.

She stayed silent, projecting wounded dignity while stealing another anxious glance at Arthur.

"Leave her out of this! This is between us!" Arthur snarled, instantly stepping protectively in front of Vanessa.

"Exactly. Now leave." My voice was dead. "Both of you."

Without hesitation, his hand found Vanessa's. Their fingers intertwined as he walked away, leading her with him.

"Mommy is so sorry, sweetie..." Holding my daughter's small urn, I sank down beside the ruined grave.

Something sharp lodged itself in my chest, and I couldn't breathe.