Lies at a Funeral

“These things can be left to the nanny. You’ve been looking after Mom at the hospital every day. It’s already tiring enough. If you push yourself too hard, I’ll feel bad.”

With that, he kissed me again.

His touch was as tender and gentle as before. But I could no longer feel his warmth.

Could someone truly go this far for another person?

As I closed my eyes, tears slipped down.

I helped him onto the bed and covered him with a blanket. With the aid of alcohol, he quickly drifted into sleep.

I sat by the bedside and silently picked up his phone. I tried the password once and it unlocked immediately.

It was my younger sister, Florence’s, birthday.

I opened his chat with Florence.

The screen was densely packed with confidential company documents.

From the day my father passed away three years ago, it had never stopped for a single day.

Every project he had been involved in, he sent the documents to Florence so she could familiarize herself with them.

Every collaboration he handled, he forwarded the partner’s information to her to pave the way.

Even he had prepared the contract for the company’s transfer three years ago.

He was only waiting for my mother to pass away, for me to hand the company over to him.

With trembling hands, I tapped open his private album.

Every photo inside was of Florence’s smiling face.

She was either attending events as the second lady of the Granville Family or celebrating a project’s success with Arthur.

Arthur’s features bore a striking resemblance to his brother’s, so much so that he could easily be mistaken for Edward.

Beyond the photos were countless records of jewelry purchases at auctions. Each piece was sent to Florence under his brother’s name, claimed to be a gift from an elder.

His love was both discreet and extravagant, woven into every detail.

It pierced my heart, leaving a dull ache in its wake.

I recognized those jewelry brands.

It was nothing more than a complimentary gift from the auction house, yet he had told me it was a present meant for me.

I let out a self-mocking laugh and didn’t bother looking any further.

Instead, I sent a message to the company's shareholders, announcing a shareholders' meeting in three days.

At that meeting, I would officially take over the company.

For three years, he had taken what belonged to me. It was time for him to return it.

I didn’t sleep at all that night.

At dawn, I got up to wash up. Just as I finished, a message popped up in the company’s work group chat.

Edward reacted as if facing a crisis, his expression tense.

"Hazel? Since when did you start taking an interest in the company? Mom’s health isn’t great right now. Didn’t we agree that I would manage the company for you? You shouldn’t stress over this. If you fall ill, Mom will blame me for not taking good care of you."

I put my phone down and curved my lips into a subtle smile. "It’s nothing. I must’ve accidentally turned on notifications. I’ll turn them off in a bit. Aren’t you busy with the meeting for the new project today? You should go."

He didn’t suspect anything, but I could see the relief in his eyes.

Gently, he pulled me into his arms. "Thank you for understanding, my love. I need to push forward with the upcoming projects so we can have time for our wedding."

I didn’t respond. I simply lowered my head and turned off my phone.

"You’re going to the hospital today, right? Pick up the meal I ordered from the hotel on your way. I got it specially for you. You’ve lost weight."

"Okay, I’ll bring some for Mom to try too."

My mother had been hospitalized for a year now. Edward had hired professional caregivers, saying he didn’t want me to tire myself out.

I used to think that was his way of showing love. But now, I realized it was just an excuse.

If he truly cared, how could he have visited the hospital fewer than twice in an entire year? He had left her care and treatment in the hands of strangers.

In order to stop me from troubling Florence, he really went to great lengths.

It’s time to put an end to this three-year-long deception.

As I rushed to the hospital, I hadn't even entered the ward when I heard the nurses in the hallway gossiping.