Josh’s voice boomed from the phone, “Olivia? Who’s that man?!”
I hung up. As I was about to call the nursing
home, the nurse called me back, her voice
choked with sobs.
<
“Olivia, your mom’s gone.”
My mind went blank. I stood there, frozen. If
Ethan hadn’t been there, I would have
shattered.
He somehow managed to book flights, and we flew back that night to arrange my mother’s
funeral.
We’d barely arrived at the funeral home when
Josh showed up. He saw my flat stomach, his
eyes widening in surprise, then reached for me.
Ethan punched him, sending him stumbling.
“You have the nerve to show your face here?”
Ethan, now fully aware of the situation, looked
like a lion about to pounce. Josh, recognizing
Ethan’s voice, shifted from guilt to anger.
“So you’re the pretty boy Olivia was talking to
on the phone?”
on the phone?”
Ethan didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on Josh
before drifting to the IV stand behind him. He
glanced at Nurse Liu, signaling her to take me
aside. Then, while Josh was distracted, he
grabbed the IV stand and slammed it into
Josh’s stomach.
“Watch your mouth. Not everyone’s as dirty as
you.”
Josh doubled over, gasping for air. I stared at
him, my face impassive. He opened his mouth
to retort, but seeing my expression, switched to
playing the victim.
“Olivia, I didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry about your
mom. I couldn’t reach you and I was so worried,
I had to do something to get your attention. I
didn’t know about the baby… I didn’t know your
mom would…pass so suddenly…” He struggled
to his feet, head bowed.
<
Ethan’s jaw pulsed, itching to hit him again, but
I stopped him. I walked over to Josh, slapped
him hard, and dragged him by his collar to my
mother’s bedside.
Nurse Liu told me Mom had recorded a
message for Josh before she died. I played it.
My mom’s frail voice filled the room.
“Josh, dear, are you having trouble with the
business? There’s a little something buried
under the old oak tree in my yard, back home.
Not much, just some gold jewelry. I wanted to
make a locket for Olivia’s baby, but… I don’t
think I’ll make it. Maybe you could use it, if
things are tight. I know business is hard. Don’t
work yourself too hard. Olivia’s a sensitive girl,
and pregnancy’s been tough on her, so I haven’t
told her about me. Please take care of her and
the baby. She loves you so much. I’d worry
about her being all alone after I’m gone…”
Blood trickled from Joch’s lin Hic shoulders.
<
Blood trickled from Josh’s lip. His shoulders
shook, his voice choked. “Mom… I’m so sorry…
I didn’t mean…”
I tightened my grip on his collar, my voice raw.
“My mom is dead! Save your crocodile tears!”
Each word dripped with venom. “I could forgive
you forgetting my due date, you’re an idiot. But
those calls… I called you for help! You knew
Mom was clinging to life, hooked up to
machines, and you treat cutting off her
treatment like a joke! That’s murder!”
Josh’s hands trembled. He always did that
when he was upset. “I’m sorry… I…” He looked
at me with red–rimmed eyes. The sight made
me sick.
“Josh, you and Mia killed my baby and my
mother. I won’t let you get away with this.”
I demanded Josh bring Mia to the funeral.
<
Guilt–ridden, he quickly agreed. What they
didn’t know was I’d be livestreaming the entire
thing.
Mia was a dance influencer with millions of
followers, considered a pure and innocent
talent. Josh, though a businessman, was
internet–famous for his good looks, which
helped boost his company’s image and product
sales.
Before the service started, Josh arrived with a
sullen Mia. He wore black, looking distraught,
his usual tenderness towards Mia gone. Mia, in
a white princess dress and full makeup, looked
out of place.
Ethan scoffed. “How touching.”
Josh ignored him, his gaze fixed on me, on my
flat stomach, on my mother’s coffin.
