Chapter 2

2

I couldn't stand being alone in this big house without Mom anymore.

I called my grandmother and asked her to come pick me up.

When she arrived and found out what happened, she broke down, screaming and cursing my father.

"Leo Sterling, you absolute monster! How could you conspire with a stranger to harm my daughter and granddaughter?"

"You're going to rot in hell for this!"

Grams pulled me into her arms and rubbed my back.

"Don't be scared, Gabbie. Grandma is here. We aren't leaving until we get justice for your mother!"

"I will make sure that animal goes to prison for what he's done!"

I huddled in her lap, crying.

"Daddy doesn't want me anymore. He has a new lady and a new baby."

Grams cried and cursed so hard she could barely catch her breath.

The officers who took Mom away eventually came back.

They gave Grams a small box and told her they had brought Mom home.

Grams collapsed on the floor, clutching the box and sobbing uncontrollably.

I let out a gut-wrenching scream. "I want Mommy! I want Mommy!"

Grams handed me the small box and told me to hold it tight. She said Mom was inside.

I hugged the box to my chest. I pressed my face against it, but it was so, so cold.

I didn't understand how Mom had become so small. How could she fit inside such a tiny, icy box?

I whispered to Grams.

"I don't want Daddy anymore. Let's take Mommy back to your house."

Grams said Mom passed away here, so we had to hold the service here.

She said it was the only way Mom could find peace and sleep soundly. Otherwise, she would have nightmares forever.

Mrs. Higgins came over to help. She and Grams hung white banners and decorated a memorial for Mom.

Mom was smiling in the black-and-white photo.

Grams had found it in her old photo album. It was a picture of Mom before she got married.

I looked at the photo. Mom was so beautiful and young. She was much prettier than that horse trainer woman.

But Dad still chose to leave with that woman.

For several days, Dad never showed up.

He wouldn't answer his phone. Grams kept pestering his assistant for his location.

The assistant finally stammered out the truth. "Mr. Sterling and Ms. Miller are on their honeymoon in the Maldives."

"Please, don't tell him I told you. Mr. Sterling gave strict orders not to let anyone know."

"That soulless, godless animal! My daughter's body isn't even cold, and he's on a honeymoon with his mistress!"

"He's an ungrateful, cold-hearted piece of trash!"

Grams was so angry she was shaking. Her eyes were dry from crying, but the curses kept coming.

I sat nearby in a daze, staring at the little box that held Mom.

I found my favorite crystal case and used markers to draw colorful patterns all over it. Then, I placed Mom's box inside.

Now, Mom would be able to sleep even better.

Grams pulled me into a hug, her face full of guilt.

"I should have never agreed to this marriage. Your mother was so in love with him, and that animal even knelt at our door to propose."

"He knelt there for three days until your grandfather and I were moved. He was your grandfather's protégé. Your grandpa said he could die in peace knowing the company was in his hands."

"He swore he'd only ever love your mother. God, how could I have believed his lies? I was so blind!"

Grams' tears soaked my arm. I hugged her back. "It's not your fault, Grams."

Grams grabbed my hands when she heard that.

"When your mom was young, she had the chance to go to grad school abroad. But she gave up her studies just to marry your father."

"She never imagined it would end like this!"

"Gabbie, promise me. When you grow up, no matter what, never give up on your education or your future for a man. Do you understand?"

I didn't really understand what education or a future meant, but I nodded anyway.

"Grams, when are we leaving?"

Grams said, "Once the seven days of mourning are over, I'm taking you away."

On the seventh day, Grams went to the police station with some security footage. She wasn't home.

That was when Dad returned, accompanied by the pregnant trainer.