Chapter 51

"No need," I replied hoarsely, turning my gaze to the scenery speeding past the window. My father had been a heavy drinker and a compulsive gambler. When he got drunk, he often hit my mom, yet somehow, he managed to maintain a respectable facade in public. After his death, Mom had clearly been happier. But she only got to enjoy a few years of that happiness before passing away. If I were her, I wouldn't want to be buried alongside someone like him. … Over an hour later, the car pulled into the parking lot at Restlands Cemetery. I opened the door and stepped out first, letting the light rain fall on me. I stood a short distance from the car, waiting for Sophia. She got out and walked over, holding a black umbrella. She positioned it over me to shield me from the rain. "I didn't want you to catch a cold," she said. I didn't respond, following her into the cemetery in silence. As we climbed the stairs, my foot slipped, possibly due to moss on the stone. I nearly fell, but Sophia