Rage exploded within me, a white-hot fury that consumed all rational thought. I surged
forward, my vision tunneling until all I could see was Victoria's smug face and Ethan kneeling
before my daughter's grave.
"If there's another life after this one," I heard Ethan say, "I hope you'll be my daughter again. And I promise, Lily, I'll make you the happiest child in the world."
His words ignited something primal within me. How dare he? How dare he speak of another
chance when he had squandered the one he had?
"You!" I screamed, my voice shattering the cemetery's morning stillness.
Both Ethan and Victoria whirled around, shock evident on their faces. Victoria recovered first,
her expression shifting to one of practiced innocence.
"Olivia," she began, her voice honey-sweet with false concern. "We were just-"
"Shut up!â I snarled, advancing on them. "How dare you come here? How dare you bring her to my daughter's grave?"
kicked over the offerings Ethan had arranged, sending moonberry cakes and toys scattering
across the ground. The Crystal-Embroidered Ice Princess Gown-the one Lily had begged for
but never received-landed in the dirt.
"Olivia, please," Ethan said, rising to his feet with obvious pain. "I'm just trying to-
"To what?" I demanded, my voice rising hysterically. "To ease your conscience? To pretend you
were a father to her when you weren't?"
3/5
Victoria's grip on my waist tightened. She shook her head vehemently, tears streaming down
her face.
"Don't blame Ethan!" she cried, her voice breaking. "Can't you see? Lily is dead, and Ethan, as her father, is heartbroken! He sincerely wants to make amends to Lily!"
She stepped forward, placing herself between Olivia and me in a protective gesture.
Victoria continued, her voice rising with emotion. "It's all my fault."