The Hour He Never Gave

I stumbled toward my mother's grave. Pierce stood there directing workers to dig it up.

"Stop!"

I rushed forward, shoved both workers down, and grabbed a hoe, blocking the grave.

Pierce pulled Daphne and Jared behind him and scoffed. "Lucia, didn't you say anything can be rented if the price is high enough? I already transferred the money for your mother's grave. So why are you freaking out now?"

I shook so hard my teeth chattered. Barely able to stand, I glared at him. "Are you even human?"

Pierce shrugged. "I'm playing by your rules. How does that make me the bad guy? Or is every kind of love sacred to you except our marriage? That one's cheap enough to put a price tag on?"

My nails dug into my palms, but I was too furious to feel it.

I couldn't understand it.

The man who once stood beside my mother's hospital bed and swore he'd protect me forever—how had he turned into this?

Daphne clutched a framed photo of Goldie, her eyes glossy with tears. "Forget it, Pierce. Goldie was family to Jared and me, but an animal is still an animal. Taking Lucia's mother's grave... it's wrong."

The second he saw her cry, Pierce's expression went cold.

"Lucia. Move."

I clenched my jaw. "Not happening."

He stepped beside me and leaned close. "Ellie's surgery is next month. You should really behave until then."

My whole body went numb. I stared at him in disbelief. "Ellie's your daughter. You're seriously using your own kid's life to threaten me?"

Pierce reached up and brushed my hair behind my ear.

His voice was gentle. His words weren't.

"She is. But Jared's my son too. The night before our wedding, Daphne came to see me. We drank too much and screwed up. You and Ellie already have money and status. You should be more understanding."

Cold sweat drenched my back. A sharp ringing filled my ears.

Ellie collapsing from a heart attack kept flashing through my head. Over and over.

Slowly, I lowered the hoe.

My legs felt like concrete as I stepped aside.

Jared instantly lit up. "Yay! That old lady finally moved out so Goldie can have the spot!"

He ripped my mother's photo off the headstone and grabbed the urn like he was about to smash it.

"Don't!"

My mind went blank as I threw myself at him.

I shielded the urn, but my head slammed hard against the stone.

The world spun. Blood blurred my vision red.

And still, the urn shattered in my arms. Ash scattered everywhere.

Jared got even more excited. He stomped all over the ashes again and again.

Daphne pretended to stop him. "Jared, stop being naughty. What if that dirty stuff stains your clothes and shoes? Then Pierce will have to wash them for you."

As she dragged Jared back, she "accidentally" dumped her entire boba tea onto my mother's ashes.

"Ah!"

Daphne stared at the mess with fake panic. "Lucia, I didn't mean to ruin your mom's ashes. What are we supposed to do now?"

She hid behind Pierce, barely holding back her smug smile.

"Lucia!" Pierce rushed over to help me up, his hands shaking as he wiped the blood from my forehead. "Does it hurt? Are you dizzy?"

I looked at the ashes scattered across the ground and completely snapped.

I shoved him away and swung my bag at that disgusting mother and son.

"I'll kill you!"

Before I could reach them, Pierce slammed a kick into me.

I crashed to the ground so hard it felt like my whole body shattered.

Pierce stood in front of Daphne, his face dark with rage.

"Lucia, you've seriously lost your mind. Attacking women and kids in public? Maybe a few days at the police station will calm you down."