I packed up my mother's belongings. My mother had been frugal her entire life, so she didn't leave much behind. I packed them up quickly. But I didn't know what to do with a pair of blackened silver bracelets.

My mother had told me that these bracelets were passed down from my grandmother and would be passed down to Lucy after she died. I didn't want to go against my mother's wishes. After much hesitation, I finally called Lucy.

I called her over a dozen times before she finally answered. "Honey, what's up? I'm waiting to take a family photo."

I chuckled to myself, "Nothing, go ahead!"

She hung up immediately, refusing to ask another question.

I looked at the blackened silver bracelets in my hand and carefully wrapped them. I would keep these silver bracelets. Lucy wasn't worthy of wearing them.

That night, Lucy posted a photo on her Instagram. With a simple caption, [A Happy Family!]

She was smiling brightly in the photo. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I'd seen her smile so happily. My eyes vacant for a moment, then I calmly clicked "like."

I saw Lucy again three days later. She asked me to pick her up at the high-speed rail station. I was puzzled; she'd clearly driven there, so why did she need me to pick her up?

Only when I arrived did I realize she hadn't come back alone.

Lucy explained to me, "Honey, Charlie, his godmother and some of Charlie's elders are coming to town for a visit, so I came back with them."

She was standing next to Charlie and his mother and behind her were seven or eight elderly men and women looking around. I just glanced at them, not saying anything.

Charlie extended his hand to me, smiling, "Please come and pick him up."

I frowned, but didn't extend my hand.

Lucy complained, "Honey, Charlie is thanking you."

Before I could say anything, Charlie's mother took Lucy's hand and said, "Lucy, he only has one car and there's not enough room for all of us."

"I can call a taxi." Lucy pulled out her phone.

Charlie's mother tried to stop her, "Let him call. We'll just take the car and Charlie will drive."

Lucy looked at me with embarrassment. I smiled nonchalantly and handed the car keys to Charlie, "It's okay. You and the others can go first."

Lucy felt relieved. "Honey, thank you!"

I glanced at Charlie and his mother. They looked smug. But they had no idea. I didn't care. I called two cars and arranged for Charlie's seven or eight relatives to go to the hotel.

Lucy was waiting for me downstairs.

"Honey, Charlie and his mother are going to pay their respects to Mother and are getting changed. Let's wait a while."

I refused without hesitation, "No, mom doesn't like being disturbed."

"But I already promised them. If you don't let them go, I'm breaking my promise. You have to consider me," Lucy accused me.

"Besides, they came all the way here and it's a gesture of kindness. How can I not let them see Mother?"

I didn't need such a gesture. Just as I was about to firmly refuse, Charlie and his mother walked out of the hotel. Charlie was wearing a black suit, while his mother was wearing a bright red, festive funeral shroud. My face immediately darkened. Wearing a festive red dress on funeral—was it to pay respects to my mother, or was it to show off to her?

Charlie's mother, completely unaware of her outfit, smiled and waved at Lucy, "Lucy, look, how does this dress look on me?"

Lucy smiled and said, "This dress suits you perfectly. It makes you look younger."

I stared at Lucy in disbelief. She actually said it suited her.

Lucy didn't even glance at me. With a docile expression, she helped Charlie's mother into the car.

When I didn't move, she came over and said, "Don't be angry. Godmother just celebrated her 80th birthday. It totally fine for her to wear a bright red funeral attire."

I looked at her calmly for a moment, then smiled, "You're right. It's just a dress!"

Lucy frowned. I didn't give her a chance to continue and took the driver's seat. I should have thought of this earlier. How could the dead matter be less important the living?

I shouldn't have held out any hope for Lucy. Lucy tried to talk to me several times in the back of the car. I ruthlessly interrupted her each time, "Don't talk to me during rush hour. It distracts me."

I saw Lucy purse her lips in the rearview mirror.

Charlie's mother was upset, "Lucy, what's wrong with your husband? He keeps interrupting you. Godmother doesn't like him."

I laughed. What was our relationship anyway? Did I need her affection?

Lucy said, "Godmother, he's just the way he is. Don't mind it."

Charlie's mother sighed, "It's a pity you and Charlie didn't get together back then. Otherwise, marrying Charlie would have been so wonderful. I really want you to be my daughter-in-law."

Charlie also said, "Lucy, my mother is right. It's a pity we're not meant to be together. But the three days I spent with you on my mom’s birthday were the happiest days I've ever had."

Lucy glanced at me anxiously and said to Charlie, "Don't talk nonsense."

Charlie smiled and glanced at me with disdain. Lucy explained to me, "Honey, Charlie was talking about the three days of my godmother's 80th birthday. There's nothing else to it. Please don't misunderstand."

"I understand." I replied calmly.

Lucy didn't need any explanation. I used to be worried and angry. But now it didn’t matter. Soon, she and I would have nothing to do with each other.

I drove to the cemetery. Lucy was surprised.

"Honey, did you drive to the wrong place?"

"No, this is it."

Lucy's face paled.

I turned and looked at her, my tone expressionless, "Mom has already been buried, on the same day you attended Charlie's mother's 80th birthday."