When Betrayal Became the Final Goodbye

"Claudia! Your husband just called me. He said he'd kill me if I didn't tell him where you were. That man is deranged, I tell you!

"No matter what he says, don't believe him. Who knows what Henry might do?"

Susan, fearing that Claudia would find out she had betrayed her, quickly lied.

Claudia, who had just been ready to leave with me, took a step forward and slapped me across the face. "Get lost! The farther, the better! I won't believe a single word you say!"

The pain on my face and head could not compare to the helplessness in my heart. Looking at Claudia leaning in Nolan's arms, I closed my eyes briefly.

"Claudia, let me ask you one last time. Are you really not coming with me?"

Claudia responded with a cold laugh, turning her head to talk to Nolan as if I were invisible.

Just before the hotel door closed, I heard her comforting Nolan.

"Tomorrow morning, let's give the dog a proper send-off. Don't be too sad, okay?"

I wandered aimlessly back to the hospital.

My mother-in-law's body was still in the morgue.

"The hospital has arranged the cremation. Are there any family members who want to see the patient one last time?"

The nurse's words jolted me back to reality.

Recalling Claudia's words at the hotel, I froze on the spot.

Claudia did not believe me, nor was she willing to come to the hospital. Nonetheless, I felt sorry for my mother-in-law, who died without seeing her daughter one last time.

I hesitated, then pulled out my phone.

"Mom is going to be cremated. I wasn't lying. Please come to the hospital."

After sending the message, a red exclamation mark appeared next to it. Claudia had blocked me.

Noticing the nurse still waiting nearby, I put away my phone and turned to her. "No one else. Let's just let her rest in peace."

I watched as my mother-in-law was wheeled into the cremation chamber.

By dawn, the woman who had been alive and well just yesterday was reduced to a small box in my hands.

In the car, a notification from my memo app went off.

It was Claudia's birthday. Just a few days ago, I had specially asked my assistant to airlift a truckload of roses from abroad to surprise her.

At this point? That seemed unnecessary.

[The memorial service for my mother-in-law will be held at home today. Friends and family are welcome to come pay their respects.]

After sending out the notice, I realized belatedly that Claudia probably would not see it.

I could not help wondering how she would feel when her birthday became her mother's memorial day.

I stayed up all night.

By morning, the house was fully set up.

Friends and relatives, upon seeing the notice, began arriving one after another, mourning for the kind-hearted elderly woman.

"How did this happen? Have they found the driver responsible?"

"Not yet. The police said the area was remote, with little surveillance. They'll need time to investigate," I replied, gathering the necessary items for the funeral.

"What about Claudia? Is she so heartbroken she's locked herself in her room?"

"You're her husband, you should console her properly."

Before I could respond, Claudia walked in, holding Nolan's arm and carrying a cake with a cheerful expression.

"Mom! Why didn't you lock the door—"

Her words caught in her throat the moment she saw the candles and prayer books in front of her.

The room fell silent. All eyes shifted to Nolan's hand on her wrist.

Feeling guilty, Claudia quickly withdrew her hand.

As I knelt on the ground and prayed, Claudia strode forward and overturned the items.

"What the hell are you doing, Henry?! Just because I didn't go home with you yesterday, you pull this superstitious nonsense at home?

"It's my birthday! Are you out of your mind?"

Before she could finish, her uncle grabbed her arm and yanked her back before tightly slapping her face.

He pressed her shoulder down onto the altar by the window.

"Open your eyes wide and take a good look! Who's in that picture? How could your mother have a daughter like you?!"

Claudia stared blankly at her mother's black-and-white photo, and she froze.