novelnext Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Nolan didn't come back until noon the next day. After lunch, I drove alone to the cemetery. It was the anniversary of my mother's death. Since returning to the country four years ago, I'd grown used to being alone. Nolan had never come with me on this day. He was always with Aria. Once, when I insisted, he'd turned cold and said, "Your mom's been dead for four years, and you bring it up every day. Do you expect me to die with her?" After that, I stopped asking. The Nolan who used to sneak out to help me with my mother's affairs felt like a stranger now.
I spoke to my mom, but I didn't mention Nolan. Then, from a distance, I saw two figures approaching.
"Nolan, my cat is so pitiful, we must bury it properly," Aria said, her voice heavy with feigned sorrow.
"Of course, I've arranged the best plot for it," Nolan replied, his voice soft as he held her close.
When he saw me, he stopped. Then he grabbed my wrist in frustration.
"Scarlett, you came here today knowing the cat's being buried. You planned to make trouble, didn't you?" His grip tightened, digging into my skin. He was so worked up about a cat's death, but he couldn't even remember the anniversary of my mother's death. It stung, but I gritted my teeth and pried his fingers off one by one, my voice ice-cold.
"Do you even know what today is?"
He stared at me, blankly, his mind clearly elsewhere.
"It's my mom's death anniversary."
His gaze shifted to the fresh flowers at the tombstone, then to my mom's name, and a flash of guilt crossed his face.
"Aria's cat died, and I came here to bury it with her. I forgot, but next year, I'll definitely come with you."
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. He said that every year, and every year, he failed to show up. After so many empty words, I was numb to them. I didn't want to waste any more energy on him. I turned back to clearing the weeds, ignoring him.
Nolan hadn't intended to bury the cat here, but Aria, of course, had other ideas. She eyed my mom's tombstone, and her gaze darkened. Without hesitation, she pointed to the spot beside it and said, "Nolan, let's bury the cat here. The view's nice. It'll help Kitty become an angel soon."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'd tolerated her attempts to provoke me, but this was too much. She was targeting my mother now. Burying the cat next to my mom was nothing but a constant reminder that, in Nolan's eyes, a cat meant more than my mother.
I snapped. I shoved her hard, furious.
"Aria, don't push it too far."
Nolan immediately stepped in, shielding Aria, glaring at me.
"Scarlett, what's wrong with you? Aria's already heartbroken over the cat's death. You want to deny the poor thing a proper resting place?"
I could feel my tears welling up, my fists clenched in anger. My voice was hoarse with emotion.
"Nolan, that's my mom. Are you really going to let her humiliate my mother like this?"
Aria sniffled, wiping her tears as she played the victim. "Nolan, I just wanted the cat to have a proper burial. What did I do wrong?"
Heartbroken? She didn't look heartbroken when she framed my mom years ago. To tear us apart, Aria had falsely accused my mom of stealing her necklace. That accusation drove my mom out of the house, and she'd been relentlessly bullied online. In the end, the harassment became too much, and my mom jumped to her death.
"Do you need me to remind you how my mom died?" I spat, watching her face go pale. She trembled, but I didn't care.
"Enough!" Nolan shouted, his voice harsh. "It wasn't intentional. Aria's apologized. Why can't you just let it go?"
And there it was. Nolan's unwavering loyalty to Aria. An apology was enough for him. But what about my mother's life? To him, it was nothing. I saw the truth for what it was, Nolan had chosen her, and I was nothing.
I turned away, my heart shattering with every step I took.
The sky erupted in thunder, and heavy rain began pouring down, drenching me, as if even the heavens were mourning with me.
In the end, the cat was buried next to my mom. The tombstone read: The beloved cat of Nolan and Aria.