"You certainly have a way with words. It’s a shame you're not pursuing acting, Anne."
“Lucas, get her out of here. I’m done wasting my breath," I said with a cold, detached voice. My eyes brimmed with contempt toward her. Lucas said nothing because he knew I would never forgive her.
But Anne couldn’t stay still. She dropped her pitiful act, her face twisting with fury. “Nova, who do you think you are? You don’t get to humiliate me in front of Lucas! If it weren't for him asking me here, I wouldn’t step foot in this cursed place!”
“And if you don’t want me lighting candles, then fine—let’s end the whole charade!”
Then Anne lifted the urn and smashed it to the ground with a cold, triumphant smile.
Crash!
The moment the urn fell to the ground, my heart seemed to stop as I stood frozen in place.
"No!"
By the time I reacted, the urn had already shattered into pieces. The crowd was in uproar.
Sunlight streamed through the attic window, scattering ashes through the air. I rushed forward recklessly, cupping the remaining ashes in my hands, desperate to hold onto the last vestiges of my father's warmth, yet I was utterly powerless.
Kneeling on the floor, I buried my face in my hands and wept. Meanwhile, Anne seemed happy. She thoroughly wrecked the meticulously decorated hall, smashing the offerings and tossing the bouquets. The place became a complete mess and yet she strode away gracefully.
“So, what if your father’s dead? No one will ever stand up for you," she said as she left.
With a complex look on his face, Lucas patted my shoulder and coaxed me, "Nova, you shouldn’t have spoken to Anne like that. You know how easily she gets upset. But don’t worry—I’ll take care of the funeral properly for you."
After I had gathered my father's remaining ashes, I brushed coldly past him. "That won't be necessary."
I looked at him with an icy gaze, my body was too drained of strength. I had no energy left for arguments.
Since Lucas had never heard me refuse him before, he was stunned, unable to process it.
“That’s what you call taking care of my sister?” My brother, who had witnessed everything from the side, finally spoke with restrained rage as he stepped forward.
After he placed the urn that he had already prepared, only he and Lucas remained in the room.
"Malcom, when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me, so Nova and I could’ve welcomed you properly?” Lucas said with a fawning look.
Malcom Bright was not just my brother, but was also Lucas's major business partner.
But Lucas did not care for small talk and cut to the point. "I know everything about Father and Mother. Let me make this clear to you … whatever you did to Nova, I will repay you a hundredfold!”
Lucas tried to explain, but Malcom shot him a look of disgust and walked away
.
My brother’s car was filled with my favorite jasmine-scented perfume. Breathing in its gentle floral fragrance, my heart finally settled.
“Have you decided about what I had told you?” My brother looked worried when he noticed the wound on my hand.
I nodded. Though the funeral had ended abruptly, it was time to leave.
My brother took me home but waited outside. As I was ready to enter and pack my things, I heard cheers from outside. The house was buzzing with activity.
Then Anne's voice rang out, loud and clear. "Nova has always been good at using moral blackmail. What does the death of her parents have to do with Lucas? And yet she's still dead set on marrying him!”
