There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
"Is Josephine Sorensen there?"
The nurse glanced at me. "Yes, Ms. Sorensen is here. We're just waiting on you, Mr. Gilmore."
He let out a cold laugh, his voice like ice. "How much did Josephine pay you to put on this act? Please do me a favour and tell her to stop with these little games. If she keeps this up, she won't be able to hold onto that precious 'Mrs. Gilmore's title she fought so hard for."
The beeping and ruthless ridicule echoed in the quiet ward.
I took a deep breath and said, "It's okay. I'll handle it alone."
I looked down at the little girl on the hospital bed one last time, kissed her cheek and personally accompanied her to the crematorium.
The moment I received her ashes, my phone rang. It was the cemetery agent.
"Ms. Sorensen, there's a problem! The burial plot you reserved has been taken by someone else!"
"But I already paid for it. How could someone just take it?"
The agent hesitated, clearly distressed. "You've heard of the Gilmores in New York, right? It's for Mr. Gilmore, I couldn't say no. Their family is too powerful."
I carefully placed my daughter's urn down and rushed to the cemetery.
From afar, I saw Selena and her daughter Sadie burying something.
Jacob stood beside them, dressed in all black.
A week ago, the doctors issued a critical condition notice for Jasmine.
He had spoken to me privately several times, urging me to prepare myself that my daughter's life was counting down its final days.
That's why I purchased this burial plot close to home.
After lulling Jasmine to sleep every night, I would come here to arrange her final resting place.
Jasmine loved the color pink and adored Peppa Pig. I draped the area in soft pink tulle and covered it with Peppa Pig stickers.
All that was left was to engrave her name on the tombstone.
However, all of this was destroyed. The pink tulle and Peppa Pig were thrown aside like garbage.
My vision went black with rage. I charged forward.
Jacob looked surprised to see me, but his expression quickly turned cold. "What, getting someone to fake a scene wasn't enough? Now you're stalking me, too?"
"I didn't fake anything and I'm not following you. I'm done chasing after you, Jacob!"
He had never seen me like this before.
I'd always been gentle and obedient and never raised my voice to him.
However, something inside me had shifted.
Jacob was about to speak when Sadie rushed forward and pushed me away.
"You're trying to steal my daddy, aren't you? He's mine! I won't let you take him!"
She stood there with her hands on her hips like a tiny tyrant. "Today is the day we bury Jacky! Don't ruin it, you bad woman!"
Selena quickly pulled her back. "I'm sorry, Josephine. She's just a child. Our family dog passed away unexpectedly and I asked Jacob to come help. Once we're done, I'll ensure he returns to you."
That's when I finally got a clear look at the tombstone behind them.
It read in large, bold characters: Here lies our beloved dog, Jacky. There was even a photo of the dog surrounded by flowers and food.
Meanwhile, my Jasmine was still lying in the cold urn and a dog took her grave away.
I rushed forward like crazy, throwing the flowers and dog food to the ground, ready to tear that tombstone apart.
Why should my daughter suffer indignity even in death?
I must vent my anger for my daughter!
Jacob grabbed me by the arm. "Josephine! Why aren't you at home with your daughter? Why are you making a scene here? I'm just here with Selena to bury a dog! Is this really necessary?"
I shouted, "Do you even know who that grave was for?! I bought it for Jasmine!"
Before I finished speaking, Sadie burst into tears.
Her crying was so loud that it drowned out my voice and attracted Jacob's attention.
"Josephine, come here and apologize!"
"Why should I apologize? It was you who did something wrong!"
Selena grabbed the angry Jacob in time, "Please, let's not fight over this. It's not worth ruining your marriage. I'll take Sadie and leave now."
Selena started to walk away, pulling Sadie along. But as they brushed past me, Sadie suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.
Selena immediately scooped her up, her voice laced with accusation. "Josephine, we already agreed to leave. Why did you have to push Sadie? Why are you being so cruel to a child?"
Jacob rushed over, panicking and checking Sadie's injuries. "You've gone too far! You'd better hope nothing's wrong with her. Otherwise, I will hold you responsible!"
After saying that, Jacob pushed me away.
I staggered backward, crashing into a nearby tombstone. The sharp edge struck my head and a searing pain shot through me as blood trickled down my forehead.
I slumped against the tombstone, watching with blurry vision as Jacob took Selena and Sadie away without looking back.
