Chapter 3

In the end, I had no choice but to rush back to the hospital. I even tripped and fell a couple of times because I was in a hurry.

Morgan asked the instant he saw me, "Esther, where's Caleb?"

"He wouldn't follow me to the hospital. How's my mother-in-law doing?"

Morgan turned his face away and avoided my gaze. "You should prepare yourself for the worst, Esther."

My face went as white as a sheet. I rushed into the emergency room at once.

I felt so bad as I took in Sophia's weakened state. "Mom, I'm so sorry. I couldn't find Caleb."

I could not bring myself to tell Sophia that Caleb had refused to come with me to the hospital.

"You don't have to lie to me, Esther. Caleb is my son. I know him better than anyone else does. He must be with that woman again.

"He chose to forsake me, his mother, because of that woman. What an ungrateful child!

"I knew you were a good person from the first time I met you, Esther. Caleb has been seeing that woman recently. You suffered a lot because of it. Instead of telling me, you kept it all to yourself. It's my fault that Caleb turns out to be an awful person like this."

I sobbed uncontrollably.

"Mom, it's not your fault. Please don't say that."

Sophia coughed a little. I added nervously, "Mom, you shouldn't speak anymore. Just get some rest and you'll be fine."

Sophia's eyes were bright with tears. "If I don't say it now, I may never get the chance to say it later on."

A sob caught in my throat.

Sophia directed her gaze at me. "Esther, you should take good care of yourself after I'm gone. Don't let others make you feel miserable. Get a divorce. I want you to be happy…"

After saying that, Sophia closed her eyes.

"Mom!"

I hunched over the side of the hospital bed and broke down in tears.

Sophia passed away.

Morgan stood to one side with his head hanging low. He dared not utter a word.

When morning came, I gazed at Sophia's cold, stiff body and gave Caleb a call. Still, his phone was turned off.

I clicked on Instagram since I decided to send him a message. Despite what happened, we should hold a proper funeral for Sophia. Caleb should see her one last time before we bury her remains.

Yet, before I could send my message, I saw that Lexie posted a new update on her Instagram page.

She uploaded several photos.

In the photos, Lexie sat on a chair with a cat in her arms. I could see a man's arm beside her, and I instantly recognized that it belonged to Caleb.

The caption went like this. "Bailey is so lucky to have met a father who loves him so much. We're off to watch a concert!"

Caleb even left a comment under the post. "Just watching how happy you guys are makes me happy."

I gripped my phone tightly. My heart ached so badly.

Sophia had just passed away. Meanwhile, Caleb was in the mood to bring Lexie and her cat to go and watch a concert.

In the end, I did not send Caleb any message to inform him.

I took care of matters relating to Sophia's funeral all by myself. After most of the procedures were done, I brought the urn containing Sophia's ashes back home.

I was overcome with sadness when I spotted Sophia's cup on the table. Tears streamed from my eyes.

Caleb's father passed away a long time ago. Sophia had to take on several jobs at the same time to earn enough to raise Caleb. The work was taxing, which led to her developing heart problems.

Caleb came home the next day. He asked as soon as he entered through the door, "Where's Mom?"

Sitting on the couch, I cast him an icy gaze and lifted the urn in my hands.

"Mom's here."

Caleb stared at me with barely disguised contempt.

"Esther, are you still not done with that nonsense? Just because Mom takes your side doesn't mean you can make her go along with your nonsensical act. I won't fall for it.

"Where's she hiding? Tell her to come out now." Caleb tossed the bags he was carrying onto my lap.

"See how much Lexie cares about my mom? She bought a lot of clothes for her. Yet, you, her daughter-in-law, were making her put on an act with you!"

I snickered.

Sophia was already gone. Nobody would need these clothes.

I just could not understand how someone as kind as Sophia ended up raising such a dumb son.

I picked up the bags and threw them forcefully at Caleb.

"Caleb, you believe every single word that Lexie says! Do you not have a brain of your own? Mom's dead!"

Caleb was momentarily stunned. Then, he snatched the urn from me.

"Esther, it seems you really have a few screws loose in the head. You even prepared an urn to trick me. This is completely mental!"

He lifted his arms and smashed the urn onto the floor.