Chapter 2

Lena POV

After returning home, I didn't smash anything or wait for Shaun's explanation.

I backed up all the cemetery documents, old headstone photos, and new headstone drafts to the cloud, then sent them to a backup email. Then I pulled out my ID documents, bank cards, regular medications, and property documents, placing them one by one in the back of the drawer.

This house still contained Shaun's clothes, cups, and car keys.

I gathered only what I absolutely needed to take when I left.

That afternoon, Veronica sent photos.

The first showed a Shaw family dinner. Shaun sat beside the family elders, Veronica on his other side, jewelry on her wrist, place cards on the table.

The second was a close-up of the headstone draft.

Veronica had circled the mother's line and added a message: From now on I'll accompany Shaun to memorial services. You won't have to work so hard every year anymore.

I looked at them, then saved the photos.

Veronica wasn't the only one stirring things up.

The Shaw family had long since treated her as someone about to join the family. Even relocating the child had become part of establishing her position.

That evening, Shaun came home.

As he entered, he asked as usual, "Have you eaten?"

He reached out to touch my hair.

I turned aside to avoid him.

Shaun's hand froze mid-air, his expression souring.

"About the cemetery, I shouldn't have kept it from you today." He said, "But moving back to the Shaw family plot has always been part of the family's plans. I didn't want you to keep suffering over the old grave every year."

I looked at him. "Was making Veronica the mother also for my benefit?"

Shaun's tone hardened. "Veronica will be part of the Shaw family eventually. The cemetery needs someone who can handle things long-term."

"So I'm not that person anymore?"

Shaun frowned. "Lena, don't overthink this. Everyone knows you gave birth to him."

"What good is knowing?"

My voice wasn't raised. "I won't be on the headstone. My name won't be on the service list either. When people come to pay respects in the future, they'll only see you, Veronica, and the child."

Shaun grew irritated, loosening his tie. "What exactly do you want?"

I didn't argue further.

I nodded once and turned to go upstairs.

In the living room, Shaun's phone lit up.

Veronica messaged urging him to confirm the relocation service roster with the Shaw family tomorrow.

Shaun glanced upstairs and replied with two words: Got it.

The next day, I went to the bank.

Money had been withdrawn from our joint account to cover Shaw family plot fees and the three-person burial registration.

I printed the statement and retrieved documents from the safety deposit box.

Just as I left the bank, Shaun's assistant called. "Ms. Hayes, the Shaw family is hosting a dinner tonight. The family elders want to see you."

Holding that statement, I suddenly understood.

This dinner wasn't to acknowledge me.

It was to make me stay quiet before Veronica joined the family and before the child's relocation.

That evening at the Shaw family dinner, Veronica sat beside Shaun's mother.

The family elders didn't mention her relationship with Shaun directly, only saying, "Moving the child is the Shaw family's decision. Stop blocking it. The person's been gone for years. The living need to look forward."

Veronica kept her eyes lowered, her voice gentle. "Please rest assured, I'll honor the child properly from now on."

Shaun spoke for me. "The service will proceed as planned."

I looked at each person at the table.

They had already decided for me who would honor my child, how the inscription would read, whether I should appear.

I didn't make a scene at dinner.

I only took a photo of the gathering before leaving.

On the drive back, Shaun tried to smooth things over. "Once the relocation is finished, I'll take you away for a break."

I didn't ask if Veronica would be going.

I had the driver stop by the roadside, saying I needed to buy something.

After getting out, I went into a print shop and made another copy of the documents, statements, and cemetery papers.

That night, Veronica's call came through to Shaun's phone.

I stood at the staircase landing, hearing Veronica say, "Don't let Lena go to the old cemetery section alone before the service. It'll look bad if the family elders see."

Shaun lowered his voice. "I'll watch her."

I didn't walk out.

I returned to my room, booked a train ticket for three days later, and messaged an old friend asking if I could stay temporarily in Boston.

Downstairs, Shaun was still reassuring Veronica.

"Don't worry, I'll handle things on her end."