My Mourning, His Celebration

I led them to the cemetery.

Blake stormed out of the car and slammed the door shut. "What the hell are we doing here? I just got married. This place is bad luck."

I pointed to a tombstone. "Recognize that spot?"

He'd never set foot here, so he didn't have the slightest clue.

He scowled. "Quit screwing around, Kate. Take us to the hotel. We're exhausted."

Even now, his only concern was Megan's family. In contrast, my family and I were nothing to him.

I laughed, cold and sharp. "Exhausted? Ever think about my dad? How did he feel, lying in that hospital bed and gripping my hand as he took his last breath?"

Blake stumbled back, his face paling. "What do you mean?"

I nodded toward the tombstone. "He is right there. Too scared to face him? Or do you know you don't deserve to?"

He froze, his bravado crumbling. Then he grabbed my arm, shaking it like a man possessed. "You buried him early just because I didn't come back? Have you no shame?"

It was comical that he had the nerve to accuse me. He was the one at fault.

I pushed him hard.

"Who are you to judge me here?" I snapped. "Your betrayal broke Alex's heart a long time ago. His last wish was to see you. And where were you? In bed with Megan Burns."

My voice cracked, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

The memory of that day tore at me. I wanted to rush over and rip them apart.

Blake hung his head, guilt finally cracking his smug exterior.

Michael, lounging nearby, didn't care. "Big deal. You're just a driver throwing a tantrum. Want to lose your job?"

Megan echoed his words. "Exactly! Blake is my husband now. What we do is none of your business."

My blood ran cold as I saw their true colors.

They were vultures, feasting on Blake's weakness and now circling me.

Too bad. I would not let them have their way, not after what they'd cost me.

Blake saw the ice in my eyes and softened, reaching for my hand. "Alright, we can go home and talk later. But now, let me visit Alex's grave, okay?"

I stepped back. "You can come. They can't."

I wouldn't let these leeches near Alex's resting place.

Michael's face twisted. "Hey! You..."

Blake cut him off. "Okay. I'll go with you."

I turned, leading him to the grave.

He babbled, trying to fill the silence. "Why didn't you tell me about this? You made me look like a fool. What did Alex say before he passed? I messed up, but you can't treat me like this."

I stayed silent.

He grabbed my wrist, desperate. "What's wrong with you? You're so selfish now."

I stopped, turning to face him, my voice low and heavy. "I called you that night. You were in the shower, and Megan answered."

His eyes widened. He fumbled for his phone and scrolled through the call log, his hands trembling as the truth stared back at him.

For the first time, I saw shame flicker across his face.

"I... We were exhausted that night," he stammered. "I just showered. We didn't do anything, I swear."

I waved him off, cutting through his lies. "What you did or didn't do doesn't matter anymore. After today, we're strangers. I brought you here for Alex's last wish, nothing more."

He hung his head. "You're just angry. You wouldn't really leave me, would you?"

I bowed to the grave. When I straightened up, my resolve was iron.

"Blake," I said. "We're done."