12
He knew Stacy studied music, but back then, her lack of proficiency made him dismiss her school as a low–tier university. He hadn’t bothered to ask further, a decision he now deeply regretted.
“You don’t know Toronto University? My son asked her about it. The girl was very talented,” the landlord
remarked
The words hit him like a thunderclap, leaving his mind reeling. Not even his grandfather had ever mentioned that Stacy attended Toronto University
But something didn’t add up–Toronto University didn’t have a music department. From the start, Stacy deceived
everyone
When they first met, she blushed shyly, her eyes filled with admiration. Now, he finally understood the truth.
At the time, he’d been repulsed, assuming she was like every other woman trying to worm her way into the Taylor family, coveting their wealth and power. He’d dismissed her as a gold–digger seeking to climb the social ladder in one leap. What he hadn’t realized was that hers had been a pure, innocent love–the love of an 18–year–old girl.
Driven by a strange compulsion. Pat told the landlord he wanted to buy the apartment. He offered a price far above the market rate. Impressed by his sincerity, the landlord agreed and ushered out the prospective tenants
The apartment was just as it had been the last time he visited, but many parts were draped in white cloth, an unwelcome sight that irritated him. He tore away the coverings, exposing the old, worn furniture underneath.
The sofa lay crooked in the corner, knocked over. As he adjusted it a Polaroid photo slipped out.
Despite the apartment’s dated interior, it was spotlessly clean–no dust even on the photo. His vision blurred as he stared at the picture. He couldn’t make out her face clearly, but he could tell she was smiling–a joyful, radiant
smile that once had been his
A wave of emptiness swept over him Clutching the photo, Pat sank to the floor, dazed. Time lost all meaning. He didn’t know how long he stayed there, days blending into one another.
When Pat finally woke up, he found himself in a hospital bed, connected to an IV. His body was weak, and his spirit shattered.
The first thing he did upon being discharged was not to address the company’s affairs but to organize a funeral for Stacy
Anna learned of his decision to marry Stacy too late. The scene at the mourning hall turned chaotic as he defiantly read her name into the family genealogy.
Dressed in black mourning clothes, he knelt before the urn, his eyes empty and fixed on Anna with a cold, threatening gaze. When he ordered someone to escort Anna out, a commotion broke out at the entrance.
A group of people entered, led by a young man followed by the retired elders of the Taylor family. All were dressed in black suits, their expressions grave.
Pat immediately sensed the shift in the atmosphere
The young man bowed respectfully before the mourning hall, then turned to Pat. “Mr. Taylor, I represent Miss Stacy’s sister. I’m here to take her ashes back to her family.”
Pat instinctively clutched the urn tighter. “Sister? Stacy didn’t have a sister. What are you talking about?” He shot a questioning look at Anna, who shook her head, equally bewildered.
The man remained composed. “I understand your doubts, but I have the documentation to prove it. The media and police are outside. I hope you’ll cooperate.”
Pat examined the family certificate the man presented, his disbelief growing. Desperate, he called a childhood friend working in the police force.
After a long silence, his friend replied, “Pat, I managed to confirm that Stacy does have a sister, but there’s very little information about her. I’m sorry–I can’t help you more than this.”
Stunned, Pat didn’t notice the man stepping forward to take the urn from his arms. When he realized this, he lashed out punching and kicking wildly. The police restrained him, pulling him back
“Give it back to me!” Pat screamed, his voice raw with desperation. “Why should she leave? Stacy belongs -she’s mine!”
An elder stepped forward, his expression stern.
s to me
“Pat,” he said gravely, “Stacy was your grandfather’s chosen granddaughter–in–law. If you didn’t cherish her while she was alive, how can you justify clinging to her ashes now that she’s gone?”
The words hit him like a physical blow Tears streamed down Pat’s face as helplessness and exhaustion overwhelmed him
But the elder’s next words would only deepen the pain.
