"Look, I know Clement went a bit too far, and Mildred was out of line too.

"But Clement is the backbone of this company. Every major project has his name on it.

"You have to think about the bigger picture here, don't you?"

I couldn't speak.

The executive smiled at me. "How about this: I'll put a formal warning on both Clement's and Mildred's records. And for you, I can arrange a settlement. A generous one.

"What happened to your daughter, I'm truly sorry. But you and Clement can always have another child. You're still married, after all.

"Clement's career is only going up. As Mrs. Delgado, you'll want for nothing."

I was so furious I laughed. "Fine, protect him. But why are you protecting Mildred too?"

The executive paused.

"You didn't know? She was personally recommended by him. He vouched for her."

I nearly dropped my cup.

I had submitted my resume to this company three times.

Each time, it vanished without a trace. No explanation.

I'd begged Clement once. Just asked him to put in a word with management, get me an interview.

Not a guaranteed position. Just an interview.

I knew his influence. He wouldn't have even needed to go through the higher-ups to make it happen.

But he told me he couldn't. It would look like favoritism.

He said not to put him in that position.

So for me, it was "favoritism."

For Mildred, it was a personal endorsement straight through the door.

My knuckles went white around the cup. I stared at him.

"And if I don't accept?"

The executive gave a thin smile. "I'd advise you, Mrs. Fox, not to go to war with this company."

I hadn't been out of the building long.

The internet exploded with stories about me.

DERANGED WIFE EXPLOITS DAUGHTER'S DEATH TO EXTORT HUSBAND

TECH RISING STAR CLEMENT DELGADO'S TROUBLED HOME LIFE

WIFE SUSPECTS HUSBAND OF AFFAIR WITH FEMALE COLLEAGUE — DID SHE USE HER DAUGHTER'S DEATH AS A WEAPON OF REVENGE?

Just like that, the tide of public sympathy turned. Every person who had pitied me was now aiming their guns at me instead.

The comment sections overflowed with praise for Clement and Mildred.

"I've had the privilege of working with Mr. Delgado. Genuinely great guy, impeccable work ethic, and always respectful toward women."

"I don't know what there is to complain about being Mrs. Delgado."

"Bet Mary Fox is the one who's been cheating."

"I've met Ms. Sullivan in person once. She's an absolute sweetheart, always professional with male colleagues. Of course someone that pretty is going to attract jealous haters."

The trending numbers were too high to be organic.

I knew Clement's hand was behind it.

I went back to the home I hadn't set foot in for three years.

My fingers traced the photograph on Camille's urn, a bitter smile pulling at my lips.

"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy didn't protect you."

I set the divorce papers on the table.

I was reaching for Camille's urn to take her with me when the door was kicked open.

Clement strode in carrying Mildred, whose forehead was wrapped in gauze.

"Where's Camille?"

I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. "What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

Clement let out a cold laugh. "Mildred was attacked. You put Camille up to it, didn't you?"

"Clement!"

My fists clenched. "What are you talking about?"

Mildred shrank against Clement's chest.

"Mary, why bother denying it? When that child swung a hammer at my head, I saw her face clear as day. It was her.

"She even said she was getting revenge for you.

"If Clement hadn't gotten there in time, I was completely caught off guard. That child might have actually killed me."

I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached.

Clement looked at me, his gaze ice-cold.

"I knew it. Camille's been with a mother like you and now she's learned to lie.

"If I'd known it would come to this, I would have taken her with me three years ago."

"Where is she? I'm taking her to raise myself! Mildred and I will raise this child together! Anything is better than letting you ruin her entire life!"

"Fine!"

I brought out the urn. My eyes burned as I stared at them both.

"Then you'd better go down there and teach her well."

I looked at the portrait on the urn.

Clement stared at me in disbelief.

My clenched fists trembled.

A year ago, when Camille died, I'd spent every last cent I had to give her this final little home.

And in the next second, that little home was shattered.

I screamed and lunged forward.

"Camille!"

"Are you done with this act?"

Clement seized me by the hair.

"How many more times are you going to pull this stunt?"

He grabbed a fistful of the ashes. "Bamboo charcoal powder mixed with bone molds. Did you really think I couldn't tell? I already pulled this same trick three years ago!

"You enjoy cursing your own daughter that much?"

"Mmph!"

The ashes were forced into my mouth. I gagged violently.

"Eat it. You made these props yourself, didn't you? Why so squeamish now?"

Clement's eyes were bloodshot as he clamped his hand over my mouth.

He didn't let go until my face turned red.

I collapsed to my knees, coughing without stop.

My shaking hands gathered the ashes from the floor, piece by piece. Tears mixed with the blood in my throat, staining Camille's remains.

I lay facedown in the scattered ashes, sobbing so hard I couldn't breathe.

Clement looked down at me. "Think about it. When Camille grows up and finds out you faked her memorial portrait and forged her ashes just to compete with another woman for attention.

"How do you think she'll feel?

"She'll hate you for the rest of her life."

I was too wrecked to form a single word.

He crouched in front of me. "So. Where is she? If you have even an ounce of conscience as a mother, hand her over to me for now."

My eyes were raw and red.

I smiled at him. "Sure. I'll take you to her."

Mildred froze.

Clement hesitated for a beat, then reached out and took my hand. "I knew you'd come around."

The car stopped at the edge of a cliff.

Clement spotted the small figure standing on the precipice.

His face lit up. "Camille!"

He had barely stepped out of the car when Mildred's trembling voice came from behind him.

"Clement..."

He turned.

My knife was already pressed against Mildred's throat.

...

Police swarmed the clifftop within minutes.

I held Mildred by the neck, standing at the edge with Camille beside me.

Cold sweat rolled down Clement's temple.

"Mary, I won't take Camille. I'm not fighting you for her anymore.

"Let Mildred go. Do you want Camille's mother to become a murderer? Can you really make your daughter watch you kill someone?"

Every live-stream camera was trained on me.

The police negotiator stood beside Clement, talking me down in tandem.

I felt Mildred trembling in the crook of my arm.

I lowered my gaze.

Glanced at Camille in her little hat.

She looked up and met my eyes.

Mildred's shaking grew worse.

I curled my lips into a smile.

"No. Camille is going to be my greatest heir."

Ignoring the color draining from Clement's face, I gave the order.

"Camille! Help Mommy push this lady off!"

"Mary!!"

"Sir!"

The officers shouted in alarm.

Clement ripped the gun straight from a policeman's hands.

Aimed it right at me.

Bang.

The bullet tore through my chest in a bloom of red.

I swayed.

I let go of the hand clamped around Mildred's throat.

Before I fell, I turned back and smiled at Clement.

Then I dropped straight down.

Clement stood frozen where he was.

In front of the livestream cameras.

The little boy pulled off his cap.

It was a boy.

"Congratulations, mister. Now you've killed your wife with your own hands, too."

The police frowned at Clement.

"What is this child talking about?"