"I didn't!"
The words tore from my throat, my body convulsing with pain.
Leo didn't listen. Blind with rage, he grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed my head into the cold tombstone.
A sickening crack. Pain exploded through my skull, and warm blood instantly trickled down, staining my vision red.
Eva watched with barely concealed satisfaction, though her voice oozed concern. "Leo, look at her panic. She's guilty. Who knows what's actually buried here? Probably empty—another trick to manipulate you. Dig it up. Then we'll know."
"Dig it up."
His eyes were bloodshot, his voice a low growl. "I want to see exactly what game you're playing."
I threw myself forward, clawing at the dirt, shielding the mound with my body.
"Joey is gone! Why can't you let him rest?"
I glared at Eva, hatred burning through me. I wanted to tear her apart, but the bodyguards pinned my arms, forcing me into the dirt.
Eva shrank into Leo's embrace, sobbing theatrically. "Leo, look at her—she's lost her mind! There must be something cursed in there. She's terrified we'll find it!"
Leo backhanded me across the face. I sprawled into the dirt.
"Behave yourself, Beth. That grave opens today."
Malice flickered in Eva's eyes. She pressed against his arm, her voice dripping false innocence. "Leo, the elders say opening a fake grave brings bad luck. Have the men urinate on it first—ward off evil spirits. We can't let her curse affect our baby."
Leo gave a curt nod.
The bodyguards stepped forward, unzipping.
The acrid stream splattered against the soil, soaking Joey's memorial photo.
Watching the desecration, my heart shredded. I trembled, screaming through tears.
"Leo! Eva! You'll rot in hell for this!"
They ignored me, picking up iron shovels.
Clang.
Metal struck wood.
"Mr. Gilbert." A bodyguard's voice, urgent. "There really is a coffin."
Seeing that small wooden box—I couldn't breathe.
Leo strode forward and leaned over the pit.
His pupils contracted. The sneer vanished, replaced by raw horror.
