SAT Scores are Out, But My Son Is Gone

His words cut deep, like a dagger to my heart.

With a hollow laugh, I shot back, "Isn't that just perfect?"

Something about that struck a chord with Jason.

He looked at me, bewildered for a few seconds, as if he couldn't believe what I'd just said.

He scoffed twice, "Well, well," and then addressed Rory, "Since it's our plot and we don't need it right now, it's all yours. Don't worry about compensation."

Watching him nonchalantly hand over our son's resting place, I snapped, "Jason, you're the worst!"

Overwhelmed, I scrambled to piece together the broken headstone and gently wiped the urn clean with my sleeve.

Rory, wiping tears, said, "If Rachel doesn't need this grave, I'll take it. Thank you, Rachel."

My eyes blazing, I warned her, "Stay away, or I swear I'll slap you again."

Rory flinched, covering her face as she stepped back.

"Jason, I was just talking nicely to Rachel, but she's terrifying. I'm scared she'll hit me again, and I have an event tomorrow—my face..."

Jason looked at the marks on her face with such tenderness.

"Rachel, look at the mess you've made! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because I'm here. Apologize to Rory now!"

Apologize?

Really?

Why should I apologize to someone who desecrated my son's grave?

Does she deserve that?

"Impossible! She should be the one kneeling and apologizing to me!"

Jason glared at me, "Rachel, you're way out of line. Resorting to violence over jealousy?"

"The one who should be kneeling is you!"

I snorted, "Dream on!"

His words used to be my command.

Now, my defiance only fuels his rage.

Jason, teeth clenched, declared, "So, you're going to be that stubborn, huh?"

At his signal, his bodyguards pushed me down in front of Rory.

In the struggle, the urn slipped from my grasp and shattered.

Ashes spread across the moist earth.

They got drenched and tainted.

"No... not this..."

Powerless, I watched as my despair became complete.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably, and my body drained of all strength.

The bodyguards' grip was unyielding.

Forced to kneel, my face was pressed into the dirty ground, mingling with Charlie's ashes.

I could feel his ashes against my cheek, but not his warmth.

"I hate you... Jason, I truly hate you..."

I spat the words out, filled with loathing.

Jason's expression tightened briefly.

A fleeting look of pain crossed his eyes—perhaps it was just my tear-blurred vision.

He quickly looked away, his attention back on Rory with a pitying glance.

Clearly, I was wrong; any sympathy wasn't meant for me.

"Rory, does that make you feel better?"

Rory's voice trembled, "But he slapped me twice, Jason... it really hurts..."

Jason's gaze was icy as he looked back at me.

"Give her back what she gave you. I've got your back; she won't dare retaliate."

The absurdity of it all.

My husband openly supported another woman right in front of me.

Rory stood up and struck me hard, twice.

The force knocked me back, my head crashing against the gravestone, blood beginning to flow.

But my focus was elsewhere; I was gathering Charlie's ashes from the ground.

Jason rushed over, grabbing me, "Rachel, have you completely lost it? You're hurt; we need to get you to a hospital."

I glanced at the ashes under his feet, my mind going numb.

Pushing him away with all my might, I shouted, "Get away! Just get away!"

"Charlie, my Charlie... you're tainted..."

Blood from my wound mingled with the ashes, and I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Wracked with guilt and remorse.

"It's all my fault... all of it..."

Jason, exasperated by my rejection, snapped, "Rachel, have you lost your fucking mind?"

"Stop acting like every grave is your son's! I told you, I've found a doctor who can cure Charlie. He just arrived today from overseas. Let's go to the hospital."

He tried to help me up.

But he was interrupted by a call from his assistant, pulling his hand away.

"Is Dr. Mike Josh here?"

"Yes, but... Mr. Wright, I found out your son died thirteen days ago. Mrs. Wright signed the death certificate herself."

"And it turns out your son is buried in our North Star Cemetery, under your name."