I ignored them and rushed to the mortuary. After showing my identification, I finally saw Mom's body being wheeled out from the cold storage, completely stiff.

I fell to my knees in front of her, my hands trembling as I pulled back the white sheet. When I saw her familiar face, my body froze, and only dry, choked sounds came from my throat. I could not even cry to release the pain tearing through my heart.

I gripped her hand tightly, finding it cold and rigid, a cruel contrast from the warmth I remembered.

Just before the wedding, Mom hugged me and said softly, "Caitlyn, you finally have someone who loves you. Even when I'm gone, you'll have someone to take care of you."

Neither of us had imagined that Levi would choose Gina. I was naive to think that staying by his side and dedicating years of my life would win his heart. I had overestimated myself and underestimated Gina's place in his life.

The mortuary staff eventually interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Vaughn, it's time. We need to proceed."

I stepped aside and nodded silently, watching as they took Mom to be cremated. When it was over, all that remained was a small urn.

I clutched the urn tightly, my brow furrowed in concern. Mom had spent her entire life trapped in our small town, never getting to travel. Her greatest wish had been to see me find happiness and security.

Now, I could not even afford a proper burial plot. I had barely managed to scrape together thirty thousand dollars when a staff member rushed over to me.

"Ms. Vaughn, someone has purchased a premium burial plot for you! It's in an excellent location with mountain views!"

I froze. "What? Who did this?"

"He's still here—Mr. Robbins."

I immediately stormed to the office area. When I saw Levi, I clenched my fists and growled, "Levi, what are you trying to do?"

Levi looked at me. "Caitlyn, I wanted to do this for you. Let me handle it. This would ease my conscience."

"No thanks. We're simple people and don't need your grand gestures."

Levi's handsome features suddenly turned grim. "Caitlyn, why are you being so difficult? It was just a wedding. I never wanted your mom to die, but she was already sick. Can't you stop being so stubborn?"

His words were incredibly insensitive. I took a deep breath and replied, "I told you, there's a life between us that can't be undone. I won't forgive you, so keep your so-called compassion to yourself."

Levi had never visited Mom when she was alive, only seeing her when she was clearly near the end. He had also taken control of the wedding plans, ignoring Mom's wishes and treating it as just another networking event—which explained why no one had cared about our fate that day.

Levi grew angry. "Caitlyn, don't be ungrateful! She would've been my mother-in-law too. Let her rest in peace. Don't tell me you want her to have a cheap, hurried burial, do you?"

Without waiting for my response, he grabbed the urn from my hands and handed it to the staff. "Proceed with the burial immediately!"

Then, he turned to his assistant and said, "Get all the Robbins Corporation executives here! And inform the media!"

I clenched my fists tighter. "Levi, what are you doing? My mother's funeral isn't a PR opportunity for your company! I won't let you use her like this!"

"Caitlyn, I'm just trying to make it up to you," Levi said gravely. "I was wrong to abandon you at the wedding, and Gina's right. No matter what, I publicly announced you as Mrs. Robbins, so I need to take responsibility. Otherwise, your life will be harder from here on out."

"So, this was Gina's idea too?" I stared at him.

Levi nodded. "Gina's just looking out for you. You should know—"

"Enough!" I cut him off. "How interesting that the mighty CEO of Robbins Corporation takes orders from a young girl. If you really feel guilty, Levi, just stay away from me, okay?"

Levi frowned. "Why are you holding a grudge against her? That day at the wedding—"

I snapped, "Don't mention the wedding! My mom died that day, and it's a painful memory I'll carry forever. I'll never forgive you! All I'm asking is for some distance between us. Can't we just part ways peacefully? And thankfully, we never filed our marriage license, or we'd be dealing with a divorce now!"

I was actually grateful that Gina had fought so hard against getting the paperwork done. She was afraid that if I officially became Levi's wife, it would be harder to get rid of me.

Meanwhile, Levi's expression darkened, but I did not care. I tried to grab the urn, but Levi held it firmly.

"Fine. You can leave after the funeral."

Unable to argue further, I dropped to my knees. Levi froze at the sight.

I pleaded, "I'm begging you, please let me go. My mom wouldn't want her death to be used this way. She wouldn't want some grand funeral orchestrated by you. She was my mother, and mine alone!"

"Please, Levi!" I begged. "After donating bone marrow twice over the past few years, please just let me have this!"

My head was spinning. I had not had any time to recover from the bone marrow donation before coming here. As my strength drained away, I noticed Levi's expression softening, but then his phone rang.

I glimpsed Gina's name on his screen and felt a surge of dread. After the call, his resolve seemed to return stronger than ever.

He stated firmly, "It's decided. Caitlyn, get some rest. I'll handle the arrangements."

Then, he handed the urn to his assistant and practically dragged me to his car, ignoring my protests as he drove us back to his mansion. As soon as we arrived, Gina rushed out to meet us.

"Caitlyn, you're finally back! I told Levi we must honor your mother properly, so I'll personally handle the funeral, okay?"

Her words made me so dizzy with anger that I stumbled, breaking into a cold sweat. I shouted, "Levi, why are you humiliating me like this? What did I do to deserve this treatment?"

I crouched down, shaking and sweating, while Gina burst into tears. "Are you blaming me? I didn't want this either!"

Levi was irritated. "Enough, Caitlyn! Gina's sick but still trying to make things right for you. Stop making a scene!"

For a moment, I considered ending it all. "Are you only willing to let me go if I died, Levi? Is that what you want?"

I looked up at him wearily, my gaze unfocused.

Levi looked shocked, and for a brief second, I saw something like panic flash in his eyes.