Part 2Tears Turn to Ashes

My father and Serena’s father were old classmates. I met Serena at one of their gatherings and fell for her instantly.

But I knew my place. I was from a working-class family, while hers was in another world entirely. I never dared to dream.

Until one day, when our fathers were on a trip together, her father fell into the water. My father dove in without a second thought and saved him, but he never made it back to shore himself.

Serena’s father knew of my feelings for her. Out of gratitude for my father’s sacrifice, he insisted that Serena marry me.

But in Serena’s eyes, my father’s death, my love for her—it was all a conspiracy.

“You two did everything you could to get tangled up with my family. It was always about the money, wasn’t it?”

“Fine. I’ll give you money. I’ll even stay married to you. But I’m warning you: don’t you dare try to control me.”

From the very beginning, our marriage was a sham. She was rarely home. But I refused to give up. I believed that with time, with my devotion, I could make her see my heart, change her opinion of me.

The birth of our son, Noah, only strengthened my resolve. I was sure she would come around.

But I was wrong. So terribly wrong. And if I hadn’t been so naive, my son would still be alive.

I took Noah’s ashes back to my father’s old house. I’d chosen a burial plot and was preparing to take him there.

The moment I stepped outside, Serena was there, blocking my path with several men.

Her face was cold as she waved them inside to search the house. They found nothing.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

“Where did you hide that little thief? Tell him to get his ass out here. I’m going to break his legs today!”

My brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? Serena, Noah is your son too. Do you enjoy slandering him like this?”

A fresh wave of anger crashed over me. I had thought, for a fleeting moment, that she’d found out about Noah and had come to say her final goodbyes.

But no. She was here to falsely accuse my dead son.

Suddenly, Serena lunged at me, her movements wild, and slapped me hard across the face.

“You’re still defending him? Do you have any idea what he did? Yesterday, your son stole Preston’s asthma inhaler! Preston almost died! He’s in the hospital right now!”

“He’s so young and already so spiteful. A little thief! I’m so embarrassed in front of Preston!”

“He will pay for this today!”

Her words left me reeling in disbelief.

“What did you say?” I laughed, a cold, furious sound. “Serena, have you lost your mind? Did that man put some kind of spell on you?”

You’ve already killed Noah. Why do you still have to slander him like this?

But Serena just slapped me again, the sting of it white-hot on my cheek.

“You dare say another word against Preston and see what happens!” she spat, her eyes burning with contempt. “You raised him to be like this, and you have the nerve to blame someone else?”

Now I was the one slandering Preston?

The rage was a fire, threatening to consume me. I wanted to kill this insane woman standing before me, but I forced myself to remain calm.

Her life didn’t matter. What mattered was clearing my son’s name.

I took a deep breath, my voice trembling. “Fine. You say my son stole Preston’s medicine. I have one question for you. Do you have any proof?”

“You’re still trying to defend him?” she roared. “Fine! I’ll show you just how wrong you are!”

She pulled out her phone and played a video.

It looked like Preston’s apartment. A figure, similar in build and appearance to Noah, tiptoed into a room. After looking around, he took something from a cabinet.

The video was blurry. You couldn’t make out a face, and you certainly couldn’t see what was taken.

But Serena’s face was alight with triumph. “See?” she said scornfully. “That’s your son. He stole Preston’s asthma medication. Now what do you have to say?”

“This happened yesterday. Your son is a thief. A spiteful little thief! I’m ashamed to have a son like him. You two are both the same, despicable and shameless…”