Chapter 3
I collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained of strength.
Dr. Wright knelt beside me, his voice a distant hum of consolation, but none of his words could reach me. My mother's words from long ago echoed faintly in my mind.
"I don't oppose your relationship with Elliott," she had said, her tone cautious. "But we're just an ordinary family. The disparity in your backgrounds will only bring you heartache in the future."
At the time, I was too swept up in the sweetness of Elliott to take her seriously.
"Don't worry, Mom," I had replied with an air of certainty. "Elliott treats me so well. He even promised he'd never hurt me."
But now, the deepest wound I carried was inflicted by Elliott himself.
A man's promises are as fleeting as the wind; believing in them is a fool's errand.
I clung to my mother's cold, lifeless body and sobbed. "Mom, I'll listen to you. I won't have anything to do with Elliott ever again. From now on, I'll do whatever you say. Just… open your eyes and look at me one more time."
Only the hollow echoes of the empty room answered my desperate pleas.
It was a long while before I regained my composure and began the preparations to have her body cremated. But when I arrived at the facility, I was told that the hospital wouldn't release her remains until the fees were paid in full.
Remembering the single-digit balance in my bank account, I wanted to slap myself. Before I could muster the courage to ask if a payment plan was possible, Dr. Wright stepped forward and handed over his card.
"Charge this," he said firmly.
I scrambled to stop him. "Dr. Wright, you've already helped me so much. I can't let you—"
He cut me off before I could finish. "Let's get her settled first. You can repay me later."
I reached for his hand, but it fell back limply to my side. This was the best option I had. Dr. Wright even covered the cost of the burial plot. All I could do now was find a job as soon as possible and repay him.
With his help, the arrangements were completed quickly. My mother and I had few friends, so the ceremony was quiet, just the two of us.
As we drove to the cemetery, the sky darkened, and a cold rain began to fall.
The workers handled her urn with care, placing it gently in the prepared niche. They sealed it, packed the soil, and stepped back.
Her greatest wish had been to see me find a place of happiness and stability. But even in death, she hadn't lived to see that day.
Dr. Wright broke the silence. "What are your plans now?"
"I'll stay here," I replied softly.
He looked at me, puzzled. "Here?"
I explained that the cemetery was hiring. I wanted to stay close to her, even if it meant working in this quiet, somber place.
I had always thought time was abundant, that I'd have endless days to spend with her. But time is a thief, and life can change in an instant. Now, I could only hold on to what little remained.
Dr. Wright hesitated as if to dissuade me but then rested a hand gently on my shoulder. "As long as you live well, that's the greatest comfort you can give her."
After the funeral, he offered to drive me home. I lowered my head. Now that my mom was gone, I don't have a home anymore.
In the end, I asked him to drop me off at Elliott's apartment. My belongings were still there, and it was time to take them back.
I was sure he wouldn't be home at this hour, but as soon as I unlocked the door with my fingerprint, I was greeted by the sight of Elliott and Tiffany locked in a passionate embrace.
Elliott froze when he saw me, instinctively pushing Tiffany off his lap. His first words, hurried and defensive, were, "It's not what it looks like, Candice!"
But the moment passed, and his expression hardened. "Why are you here?"
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