Chapter 2

2.

My daughter never liked crowds, so I only invited a few close friends to the funeral.

During the service, people who knew Zander were shocked that the man who claimed to be a devoted father wasn't there.

They kept trying to call him, one after another.

Only I knew that those calls would never be answered.

As expected, Zander never showed up until the very end of the ceremony.

I suppressed the bitter ache in my chest and held my daughter's tiny, cold hand one last time.

Perhaps it was a blessing for her not to have that pathetic excuse for a father disturb her peace.

But just as the casket was about to be lowered into the ground, a cemetery worker came sprinting toward us.

His face was flushed, and his voice shook with panic as he grabbed my arm.

"Mrs. Miller, there's a problem! Someone is making a scene at the plot you reserved for your daughter!"

It felt like a bolt of lightning hit me as I stumbled toward the site.

I immediately saw Rowan Vance, pointing her finger at a worker's nose and throwing a tantrum.

"What do you mean I can't have this spot? Do you have any idea who I am?!"

"I'm telling you, I consulted a Feng Shui master, and this is the best spot! if you ruin the timing for my dog's burial, you'll all be sorry!"

The worker looked desperate and exhausted.

"I'm truly sorry, ma'am, but this plot is already paid for and reserved."

"Besides, this is a human cemetery. Your pet really shouldn't be buried here..."

"It's not up to you. Who bought this plot? Call them here. We can pay them double to go away."

Zander was there, rubbing Rowan's shoulders to comfort her before turning a cold gaze on the worker.

"Didn't you hear her? Get your supervisor out here right now!"

Rowan felt even more emboldened by his support.

She snuggled into Zander's arms and then slapped the worker across the face.

"Did you hear him?! Either get your boss or the person who bought this land, or else..."

"I bought the plot."

I stepped out from the crowd, walking slowly toward Zander and Rowan.

The moment Zander saw me, he practically shoved Rowan away from him.

He took a large stride toward me, and I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes.

"Vanessa? What are you doing here? Why aren't you at the hospital with our daughter? Why are you wandering around a graveyard?!"

"Wait, did you say you bought this plot? What do you need a grave for?"

I forced back the tears that threatened to drown me and looked him in the eye.

"Zander Miller, you have the nerve to ask about our daughter? This grave is for Yara..."

"Oh, Zander! Come quick and look at Leo! Why is he so pale?!" Rowan cried out.

The panic in Zander's eyes vanished instantly.

Without a second thought, he turned and ran toward Rowan's child.

He began examining the boy, his voice dripping with gentle concern.

"Don't be scared, buddy. Uncle Zander is here. You're going to be okay..."

Rowan gave me a triumphant smirk before walking over with fake sympathy dripping from her tongue.

"I'm so sorry, Vanessa. I didn't know you bought this. But honestly, you don't look like you need a grave yet. Why not just let our dog have it?"

"The poor pup ate something he shouldn't have and died so tragically. Look at my Leo, he's so heartbroken he's turning white..."

"Get lost."

I looked up, spitting out the words with icy venom.

A few seconds later, Rowan's theatrical sobbing filled the entire cemetery.

Zander snapped upright and marched back over to me.

His voice was colder than I had ever heard it.

"Vanessa, I know you're upset about the surgery delay, but that has nothing to do with Rowan. You see how the kid is suffering. You're a mother too―don't you have a shred of compassion left?"

He turned to the cemetery staff with a sharp command.

"My wife doesn't need this plot anymore. Give it to Ms. Vance. Go process the paperwork."

"No way! Zander, go to hell! Take that woman and her brat and get out of here!"

The moment the words left my mouth, Zander's hand swung through the air and slapped me hard across the face.

"Enough! Vanessa! I have reached my limit with you!"

"Can you stop being so heartless?! Neither of us is using this grave right now. What's the harm in giving it up?!"

The rage inside me finally boiled over. I grabbed his collar, screaming with every bit of breath I had left.

"Because it's for Yara! Your daughter, Yara! She's dead! She died on that table because you walked out on her!"

"Zander Miller, do you even have a soul?!"