Chapter 201

Cemetery.
Anastasia stepped out of the car, her hand clasped tightly in Harrison’s. She hadn’t expected anyone else to be waiting at the cemetery gates—but there, standing stiffly in the morning chill, was Nora.
Anastasia’s expression darkened instantly.
In her previous life, Nora had never once missed her mother’s memorial. Back then, Anastasia had been touched, believing Nora’s devotion was proof of the close bond she’d shared with her mother-a sisterhood that made Anastasia trust her all the more.
But now? She nearly laughed out loud at her own naivety.
Nora had been tangled up with Gabriel from the very start. For all she knew, Nora might have had a hand in her mother’s death. Thinking of that, and seeing Nora here, pretending to mourn, made Anastasia’s skin crawl.
If her mother could see this from beyond the grave, how disgusted would she be?
Anastasia didn’t bother to hide her contempt. “What are you doing here?” she asked coldly.
Both Nora and Gabriel, who had just stepped out of their car, looked momentarily stunned.
Nora had always come to the memorial. In the past, Anastasia had seemed genuinely moved. Why was she so hostile this time?
Nora’s nerves were already frayed, thinking of her daughter crying at home. She’d barely kept her temper in check on the drive over, and now, confronted by Anastasia’s open hostility, her carefully composed smile nearly slipped.
She forced a brittle, sympathetic expression. “Anastasia, your mother and I were the best of friends. Of course I’d come to pay my respects on her anniversary. Is something wrong?”
She sighed, glancing at Gabriel with a feigned frailty. “Darling, I know Anastasia is upset with me, but no matter what, today is Cecilia’s anniversary-we’re here to honor her, aren’t we?”
Her words dripped with implication: Anastasia was being unreasonable, childish.
Gabriel’s face soured. He opened his mouth to say something, but Anastasia fixed him with a steely glare.
“You really think my mother would be happy to see her here?” Anastasia’s tone and eyes were razor-sharp with mockery. Gabriel’s heart skipped a beat-did Anastasia know something?
He snapped at Nora, irritation clear in his voice. “It’s fine, just go home. I never asked you to come.”
Nora’s expression faltered. “Darling—”
“Did you not hear me?” Gabriel’s voice hardened, his patience gone. “Go home.”
Today was Cecilia Brennan’s memorial. Gabriel was already in a foul mood, and Anastasia’s words only made him feel more guilty. Seeing Nora’s stubborn insistence made him even more annoyed.
-Anastasia was right. If Cecilia could see this, would she feel anything but revulsion?
Did Nora have no sense of shame? How dare she show her face at Cecilia’s grave?
With Harrison, Anastasia, and a group of bodyguards looking on, Nora’s face turned ashen, then flushed red with humiliation.
She dug her nails into her palm, forcing a brittle smile. “I’ll wait for you down here, then.”
Gabriel waved her off dismissively and turned to Harrison, his tone suddenly obsequious. “Right this way, Mr. Lancaster.”
Harrison’s expression was cool, but he laced his fingers reassuringly through Anastasia’s and led her up the path.
Anastasia shot Gabriel a look of withering scorn.
Nora didn’t deserve to see her mother, but Gabriel did? As if Nora had been alone in her betrayal.
She looked at her father, feeling nothing but cold disappointment.
Suddenly, Harrison’s grip tightened around her hand.
She looked up, meeting his deep, searching gaze. His brow was slightly furrowed with concern.
He leaned down, his voice low and steady. “Are you all right? Need a break?”
Anastasia snapped back to the present, her voice small but defiant. “I’m not that weak!”
Climbing the hill was no easy feat, but they’d barely been walking for a few minutes.
She grumbled in protest, but as she glanced at the imposing man beside her—his mere presence radiating strength and safety-her frozen heart began to thaw.
Her mother was gone. There was no one left at home who truly loved her. But that was all right—she’d found someone new. The source of this content ɪs.net
She squeezed his hand and smiled. “Come on, darling. Let’s go see my mom.”