I knelt all night.
The next day, as I covered Mom with a white sheet, I finally broke. I clutched my collar, silent sobs tearing through me.
Mom was truly gone. She would never open her eyes again. Never see me.
That realization was a knife—sharp, cold—cutting the last shred of life out of me.
A metallic, coppery taste flooded my mouth. I coughed violently, blood spilling into my palm. Everything went black. I crashed to the floor.
Then, unwanted memories stabbed at me: Ethan, on his knees before Mom, promising.
“Mom, I’ll love Luna my whole life.”
“Thank you for letting Luna marry me.”
“You’re Luna’s mom, so you’re my mom. I’ll always treat you right.”
…
His words, once so sincere, now pierced like needles, twisting with reality until I couldn’t breathe.
My memories receded, leaving only Mom beneath the white sheet.
It took forever to drag myself off the floor. I had to prepare her for cremation.
I passed the VIP room. Inside, Ethan held Chloe, cooing softly.
“The new ventilator just arrived,” he whispered.”I want you healthy and happy. Live to be a hundred, Chloe.”
I stood frozen. A bitter laugh ripped from my throat. So sarcastic. So hollow.
The day of Mom’s funeral, my husband? Busy wishing another woman a hundred years of life.
I set up a memorial tomb so Mom’s restless spirit wouldn’t wander lost in New York City.
I spent the next days at the cemetery, only bringing her urn home when I had to leave.
Before I even stepped inside, sounds drifted from the living room—intimate, unmistakable.
Chloe, straddling Ethan, both practically sinking into the couch.
I didn’t look. I walked straight upstairs. My heart was dead. Past feeling. Past pain.
Suddenly, Ethan’s voice stopped me. Raw, filled with desire:”What’s that you’re holding?”
I didn’t answer. Just walked.
He stared at my frail back, frown deepening. For the first time, a strange panic twisted in him. I looked so fragile, like I could vanish any moment.
Chloe, still in his lap, kissed his mouth.”Ethan, I’m aching… please, give it to me…”
He shoved the thought away, dragging his gaze back to Chloe. He resumed, indifferent.
I showered, dressed simply, and tucked Mom’s jade pendant into my bag. Nothing else.
Stepping out, Chloe’s voice rang from the garden:”Mrs. Carter Sr., don’t worry. I’ll definitely kick that bitch Luna out!”
My heart twitched, barely stirred.
So that was it. Mrs. Carter Sr. had brought Chloe in just to ruin me and Ethan.
I felt ridiculous.
Ethan, all your clever little schemes? You were just a pawn in someone else’s game.
I never understood why Mrs. Carter Sr. hated me so much.
I had cared for her in the hospital for a month straight. I had even donated a kidney. That’s why I never had kids in our five years of marriage.
Now? I didn’t care. I was done. Gone. The Carters, everything—they were dead to me.
I hailed a cab to the airport.
I bought a ticket to Avalon.
Ethan’s sworn enemy’s territory. He was banned there for life. He would never find me. Not ever.
Her phone dinged with a new message.
[Mrs. Bennett and Ms. Bennett, congratulations on your fresh start!]
I clutched Mom’s urn, walking toward the boarding gate.
“Mom,” I whispered,”let’s leave this place together.”
Just before boarding, Ethan called. His voice was tight, tension barely concealed.
“Luna, are you out getting some air? Pure and I just need one more session to finish the Healing Ritual. Our anniversary is in three days—I’m planning a surprise for you. Mom should be awake now, right? Make sure to call her…”
I didn’t let him finish. I hung up, then blocked and deleted him without a second thought.
Ethan. My mother’s life—her actual life—had already cut off every possibility between us.
From this moment on, we were done. Forever.
The plane roared, slicing through the clouds. My cold, detached reflection stared back from the window. No tears. Just fierce, unyielding resolve.
