After my mom suffered a sudden heart attack, Kendrick Alcott finally agreed to come with me to visit her.

But on the way, he got a call and left me stranded on the highway.

"I have an urgent matter to attend to. You'll have to visit your mom by yourself this time."

As the rain poured down, I looked around for help, but there wasn't a single car in sight.

I ran through the storm for two hours. When I finally reached the hospital, all I saw was my mother's body covered with a white sheet.

Just as I broke down in the morgue, sobbing uncontrollably, Kendrick's call came in.

"Kendrick, where are you?" I asked, still crying.

However, instead of the concern I expected, I heard a woman's flirtatious voice in the background.

"Kendrick, we're almost at the room. Don't be in such a hurry."

Then the line went dead. Suddenly, it all became clear.

I realized that at the moment I needed Kendrick most, he was busy with someone else.

"So this is your urgent matter?" I thought bitterly.

It wasn't until my mom's body was cremated that Kendrick finally replied with a message.

[Can you stop being so unreasonable? She really needs me right now!]

——

From the time I was in middle school, I'd been infatuated with Kendrick.

He had it all: stellar grades, a gentle personality, and striking good looks. He was practically perfect. I had secretly loved him for six years and only mustered the courage to confess when I got accepted into the university where he studied.

After ninety-nine attempts, it seemed my persistence moved him, and we finally got together.

I cherished our relationship deeply. Kendrick was outstanding and always busy during college, so I never dared disturb him.

Whether I fell off my bike or was sick alone in the dorm, I kept my problems to myself. Even with a fever, I would stay up late, helping him with his presentations. I feared being too dependent on him, afraid to be a burden, so I tried to handle everything alone.

This was how things continued until today.

I suddenly realized my self-reliance became his excuse for neglecting me and abandoning me to be with another woman.

Upon seeing his reply, my heart sank.

At that moment, I felt my heart shatter into pieces.

After blocking him, I began searching for a suitable cemetery in the city.

Finally, I found a fitting place.

My mom used to joke. "Ally, when I'm gone, bury me somewhere high up so even when I'm lying down, I can still watch over you."

I'd always roll my eyes at her, but she would just smile and look at me quietly.

Looking back now, I felt that maybe my mom had already foreseen this day, yet back then, I was only concerned with being with Kendrick.

My tears fell onto the urn, making soft splashing sounds.

I wiped away my tears and hurried to the cemetery I picked for my mom. However, I saw the last person I wanted to meet there.

I was surprised to see Kendrick and the girl he had always liked, Rebecca Vance.

Seeing me, Kendrick looked shocked, and a sly glint flashed in Rebecca's eyes.

I ignored him and kept walking to the spot I had picked for my mom.

Kendrick grabbed me, asking, "Ally, what do you mean? Why didn't you respond to my messages?"

He scrutinized me, and after seeing what I was holding, a scornful smile appeared on his face.

"So you went through all this trouble just to spy on me?"

I looked down. My mom had always said she didn't want to look so serious in death, so she'd prepared a small, handmade cloth bag for herself long ago.

"Ally, who would have thought that such a cute little bag would not contain a lunch box, but ashes."

Thinking of her words, I could almost see Mom's playful smile again.

The thought made me smile through my tears.

Wiping them away, I turned back, coldly staring at Kendrick and Rebecca. I let out a derisive laugh and was about to continue on when Rebecca called out to me.

"Alisson, I only found out later that you had an urgent matter and need to come back. I had no other choice that day. My dog, who I've had for six years, suddenly fell ill, and the rain was pouring so hard. I could only call Kendrick to ask for his help."

She looked down at the box in her arms, appearing on the verge of tears.

"However, my dog didn't make it in the end. I wanted to take him back to where he was born, so Kendrick came with me. Don't misunderstand him, please."

I looked at them blankly, thinking, "What a convenient excuse. Your dog didn't make it, so you were so sad that you got drunk, so sad that you needed Kendrick to stay with you at night?"

"Oh, what a convenient death."

"Alisson! How could you say that? Rebecca's already heartbroken enough. How could you be so cruel!"

Kendrick's face darkened as he stepped in front of Rebecca, glaring at me fiercely.

This was how it always went. As long as it was something involving Rebecca, Kendrick would automatically assume I was in the wrong.

In the past, I would try my best to explain, hoping he'd understand how I felt.

But this time, I didn't bother. I just shot him a cold glance and turned to leave.

Kendrick wasn't about to let it go and chased after me.

"What's with your attitude? It's bad enough you haven't spoken to me for days, but now you're causing a scene. Come back here and apologize to her!"

Looking at Kendrick, so serious and indignant, I suddenly found this familiar man strangely foreign.

"I haven't spoken to you? Did you even try to send me a single message?"

I stared at him, my face full of mockery.

"Well, I've been busy these past few days... I couldn't find the time," Kendrick blurted out. In the past, whenever he said he was busy or found some excuse, I would always go along with it, foolishly blaming myself.

I let out a cold laugh and tried to shake off his grip, but Kendrick panicked.

"Ally, do you really have to act like this? That dog was with Rebecca for six whole years! How can you have no sympathy?

"And besides, I've already apologized so humbly. What more do you want?"

Kendrick knew that dog had been with Rebecca for six years. As her so-called childhood friend, he knew everything about her.

Seeing that I wasn't moved, Kendrick leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Just do me this one favor, okay? She's my lifesaver, after all."

Hearing that familiar line, I only felt extremely ridiculous.

I thought to myself, "If you're so grateful to her, then why are you even with me? Why not just marry her instead?"

"Enough. I don't want to hear it anymore," I said coldly, pushing Kendrick away.

"Alisson! Are you serious? How can you be so unreasonable? How many times do I have to tell you? Rebecca is just a friend. How long are you going to keep this up?"

"Kendrick, do you even remember why I'm angry in the first place?"

Kendrick's arrogance suddenly vanished. "Your mom... the hospital?"

I shoved him away impatiently and quickly walked off.

Behind me, Kendrick pulled out his phone and called his dad. "Dad, Ally's mom was admitted to the hospital. Could you reach out to that old friend of yours and get her into the best ward?"

I walked over to the plot I had selected. The staff member was explaining the next steps to me when his phone suddenly rang.

After he hung up, he looked at me apologetically. "I'm very sorry, but I just got a call from my boss. This plot can't be sold for now."

"I already paid the deposit. I'm just waiting to lay my mother to rest, and now you're telling me you can't sell it?" I stared at the salesperson in disbelief. He bowed repeatedly, apologizing.

Just then, I heard Kendrick and Rebecca's voices in the distance.

"Kendrick, everyone says this spot is perfect. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't know where to bury Bru," Rebecca said.

"Oh, please. It's not a big deal," Kendrick replied.

I turned to look. The two of them were strutting over with smug expressions, but their faces changed the moment they saw me.

"Alisson! Can't you just let it go?"

Kendrick barked. "This is about a small life. Can't you show a little empathy?"

He glanced at me, scolded me harshly, and then turned to the salesperson.

"The plot Mr. Clarkson mentioned is this one, right?" Kendrick pointed to the grave site I stood in front of.

The salesperson hesitated. "This lady has already paid the deposit..."

Hearing this, Kendrick and Rebecca both visibly relaxed.

"Kendrick, we were worried on the way over. But now that we know it's Alisson who paid the deposit, that makes things easier," Rebecca said, smiling brightly, her gaze sweeping over me dismissively.

"Exactly, we're all on the same side here. Now you can relax," Kendrick said.

After saying that, Kendrick turned back to me.

"Why are you in such a hurry to buy a plot? It's rude to buy such a thing for your mother.

"Your mom isn't even dead yet. Forget it. This plot is for Bru."

Looking at Kendrick standing there so smug, I felt a surge of anger I could hardly contain.

I rushed forward and stood defiantly in front of the grave. "I've already bought this plot. Don't you dare take it!"

Kendrick's expression grew darker, his face twisted with frustration.

"Alisson, I can't believe you're still being this stubborn after everything I've said."

He waved his hand, and his two bodyguards immediately moved in, pulling me away from the gravesite. One of them snatched the bag from my hand and tossed it aside.

"No! Don't!"

I watched as the bag rolled across the ground, its contents spilling out.

The guards held me tightly, pinning me down.

I struggled, but it was useless. I could only cry out in helpless fury.

"Alisson, come on," Rebecca said with feigned innocence. "Bru was my best companion for years, and I'm heartbroken over losing him. Please, do a good deed and let us have this grave."

I ignored her pathetic act and stared straight at Kendrick, screaming, "Make them let go of me! Kendrick, tell them to let go!

Startled by my outburst, Kendrick instinctively nodded but quickly caught himself.

"How dare you give me orders?"

He sneered and pulled out his phone, threatening me with a smug grin.

"Do you believe that with one call, your mother will have to be moved out of the hospital?

"If you don't give this grave to Rebecca, you'll face the consequences."

My mom had been in poor health for a long time. I had once swallowed my pride and begged Kendrick to arrange a specialist for her, but he always said it was a waste of medical resources. Later, when we fought over Rebecca, the matter was forgotten.

I never imagined that, even now, he'd try to use this to threaten me.

Feeling a mix of despair and rage, I lost all hope in him. I bent down and bit the guard's hand with all my strength, and he yelped in pain, releasing me.

Freed, I lunged for my mother's ashes, but Rebecca blocked my way.

She was pushed back two steps by my charge and accidentally stepped on my mother's ashes.

Upon seeing this, fury coursed through me.

"Alisson, I'm begging you..." Rebecca started, but I shoved her aside before she could finish.

She let out a scream, seeming to hit something as she fell.

I ignored Kendrick and Rebecca's shouts and crouched down, my hands trembling.

It had been raining for days, and the cemetery grounds were full of puddles. After Rebecca's step, the muddy water mixed with my mother's ashes.

"Mom... oh, Mom..."

I whimpered, trying to scoop up the ashes with my hands, desperately shielding them from the murky water.

"Alisson! I've had enough of you!"

Kendrick's voice snapped, and before I could react, I was shoved to the ground, landing heavily beside my mother's ashes.

"Look at you now. Where's your dignity? You keep this up, and I'll..."

"Yeah, yeah, Kendrick, look at her! She's trying to kill me!" Rebecca shrieked, clutching her head, blood trickling from a wound.

"She's a wicked woman, Kendrick! Don't marry her, find someone else!"

But Kendrick suddenly turned to her and snapped, "This is between us. It's not your place to interfere.

"Whether I marry her or not is none of your business."

Rebecca froze, her face stunned. She turned away, still holding her head.

I looked helplessly at the ashes vanishing into the mud and couldn't hold back anymore. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. I'm useless. I'm so, so sorry..."

Kendrick seemed taken aback by my cries.

"What? Did you just say that this is..."

At that moment, his phone rang. It was his dad.

"Kendrick, I spoke to my friend. He said Alisson's mom passed away a few days ago. Are you sure you didn't get this wrong?"