He Killed My Grandmother for His First Love

After leaving the Murray's house, I went to the hospital.

I was going to collect my grandmother's death certificate and ashes, intending to bring them back to the old house.

But before I even left the parking lot after finishing it...

I ran into Elaina.

I had not had the chance to put my grandmother's photo on the urn yet due to the urgency of the situation.

Elaina glanced at the urn in my arms, a flicker of confusion passing through her eyes.

Then, with red-rimmed eyes, she rushed toward me, her voice choked with sobs.

"Charlee, it was all my fault. I should have held on to Ryan better. It's because of me that your grandmother got hurt.

"I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad at me. And it's not all Ryan's fault. Your grandmother has to take some responsibility."

She was still defending her dog.

I was in a rage.

Whatever was going on in Elaina's mind, I could not care less.

This woman had not only let her dog attack my grandmother, but she had also shifted the blame.

Rage surged through me.

I raised my hand, intending to slap Elaina across the face.

But before I could land the blow, Elaina grabbed my hand and pulled me down.

It looked like I had pushed her to the ground instead.

Under the dim lights, her palm had scraped against the gravel, drawing blood.

Tears welled up in Elaina's eyes.

"Charlee, I know you're angry, but why did you push me?"

Everything happened so fast that I barely had time to react.

So when Phillip's slap landed on my face...

I stood there, frozen in shock.

"Charlee, are you out of your mind?! Didn't I warn you not to lay a finger on Elaina?!"

Phillip held Elaina tightly in his arms, shielding her as though she might melt in the rain.

The downpour battered the umbrella he held, splashing filthy water all over me.

He had hit me so hard that I stumbled backward.

The urn slipped from my grasp and fell to the ground.

In the rain, my grandmother's ashes spilled out everywhere.