The Day Everything Changed

I ignored them and rushed to the mortuary. After showing my identification, I finally saw Mom's body being wheeled out from the cold storage, completely stiff.

I fell to my knees in front of her, my hands trembling as I pulled back the white sheet. When I saw her familiar face, my body froze, and only dry, choked sounds came from my throat. I could not even cry to release the pain tearing through my heart.

I gripped her hand tightly, finding it cold and rigid, a cruel contrast from the warmth I remembered.

Just before the wedding, Mom hugged me and said softly, "Caitlyn, you finally have someone who loves you. Even when I'm gone, you'll have someone to take care of you."

Neither of us had imagined that Levi would choose Gina. I was naive to think that staying by his side and dedicating years of my life would win his heart. I had overestimated myself and underestimated Gina's place in his life.

The mortuary staff eventually interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Vaughn, it's time. We need to proceed."

I stepped aside and nodded silently, watching as they took Mom to be cremated. When it was over, all that remained was a small urn.

I clutched the urn tightly, my brow furrowed in concern. Mom had spent her entire life trapped in our small town, never getting to travel. Her greatest wish had been to see me find happiness and security.

Now, I could not even afford a proper burial plot. I had barely managed to scrape together thirty thousand dollars when a staff member rushed over to me.

"Ms. Vaughn, someone has purchased a premium burial plot for you! It's in an excellent location with mountain views!"

I froze. "What? Who did this?"

"He's still here—Mr. Robbins."

I immediately stormed to the office area. When I saw Levi, I clenched my fists and growled, "Levi, what are you trying to do?"

Levi looked at me. "Caitlyn, I wanted to do this for you. Let me handle it. This would ease my conscience."

"No thanks. We're simple people and don't need your grand gestures."

Levi's handsome features suddenly turned grim. "Caitlyn, why are you being so difficult? It was just a wedding. I never wanted your mom to die, but she was already sick. Can't you stop being so stubborn?"

His words were incredibly insensitive. I took a deep breath and replied, "I told you, there's a life between us that can't be undone. I won't forgive you, so keep your so-called compassion to yourself."

Levi had never visited Mom when she was alive, only seeing her when she was clearly near the end. He had also taken control of the wedding plans, ignoring Mom's wishes and treating it as just another networking event—which explained why no one had cared about our fate that day.

Levi grew angry. "Caitlyn, don't be ungrateful! She would've been my mother-in-law too. Let her rest in peace. Don't tell me you want her to have a cheap, hurried burial, do you?"

Without waiting for my response, he grabbed the urn from my hands and handed it to the staff. "Proceed with the burial immediately!"

Then, he turned to his assistant and said, "Get all the Robbins Corporation executives here! And inform the media!"

I clenched my fists tighter. "Levi, what are you doing? My mother's funeral isn't a PR opportunity for your company! I won't let you use her like this!"