Chapter six

“Grandma… I miss you so much,” I whispered through trembling lips. My chest tightened as memories swirled like smoke. Her voice, her warmth, the way she held me when I thought my world was falling apart.

This wasn’t just goodbye to her. This was goodbye to everything—my old life, my innocence, my love for Hunter.

Maybe Grandma would’ve understood me. Maybe she would've told me to run far away.

I turned to leave with the urn cradled to my chest.

But Alina stepped right into my path like a snake poised to strike.

“Christina, you’re still not over him, are you?” she hissed, her perfect smile cracking like glass.

Hunter was nearby, his back turned, deep in a work call.

I glared at her, clutching the urn tighter. “Are you seriously doing this here? At a crematorium?” My voice trembled with fury.

But Alina wasn’t done.

She grabbed my wrist. Her perfectly manicured nails dug in like claws. “You need to hear this—”

I jerked away.

The urn slipped.

CRASH.

“No—NO!” I screamed as the urn hit the ground, cracking open.

I fell to my knees as ashes scattered across the stone path, the wind mercilessly sweeping them into the air. I frantically tried to gather what I could, sobbing.

“Grandma, please, no… please…”

Hunter rushed over, horrified. “Chris—what the hell happened?”

Alina immediately clung to his arm like she was the victim. “She pushed me! I was just trying to help, and she shoved me!”

“You liar!” I snapped. My hands trembled with ash. “You did this!”

Hunter glanced between us. His eyes locked on the faint red mark on Alina’s arm.

“Chris…” his voice cracked. “You loved me so much… I can believe you’d do something like this.”

His words hit harder than the wind whipping against my face.

I stared at him, my voice dead. “Then believe it.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I picked up the urn, the shattered pieces clinking like broken promises.

Back home, I barely had the strength to collapse on my bed. I’d been juggling photography gigs and editing all night just to scrape together enough savings. But I was still short.

That’s when a notification popped up.

New Booking: Premium Event Photography — $2,000

I didn’t even blink before accepting.

The next evening, I dressed in black jeans and a buttoned-up blouse—professional, confident. I arrived at a lavish estate, lit like a scene out of a dream.

Only, it turned into a nightmare.

“Christina…” a voice purred behind me.

Alina. In a shimmering Barbie-pink dress that screamed money and malice. And next to her—

Hunter.

Tuxedo. Clean-shaven. Heartbreaking.

His eyes widened when he saw me.

“Chris?” His voice was almost a whisper, but the look in his eyes was fire.

Alina curled her arm through his.

“Oh, you didn’t know? It’s my birthday! I didn’t expect you’d be working here tonight!” she giggled sweetly. “Isn’t it adorable, Hunter?”

Hunter pulled away from her and stormed over to me.

“What the hell are you doing here with a camera? Why didn’t you tell me you were in this much trouble?” His voice was frantic. “Why didn’t you just ask me for help?”

“I’m trying to live my life without depending on yours,” I said, coolly. 

He gripped my arm.

“Chris, talk to me. What’s going on inside your head? You’re shutting me out and it’s driving me insane.”

Before I could answer, Alina slithered back to his side.

“Christina, would you mind taking some romantic shots of Hunter and me?” she cooed.

My smile was the fakest thing I’d ever worn.

“Of course,” I said. “You two look… perfect.”

I stood behind the lens and watched them pose like they were in a catalog for heartbreak. 

They posed. They smiled.

Then she kissed him on the lips.

And I clicked.

The world tilted.

I didn’t even blink.

Each click of the shutter felt like a stab to the chest.

Then I heard my mom’s voice. “Chris!”

I turned. Mom and Uncle Carter had just arrived

I wiped my eyes quickly and smiled.

“Glad you could make it,” I said softly.

Alina beamed. “Your daughter’s a rising star. She’s one of the top freelancers online!”

Hunter stood behind her, silent, eyes locked on mine.

“Thank you… sister-in-law,” I said sweetly. “My brother couldn’t have chosen a better fiancée. He’s lucky to have you.”

Hunter’s jaw clenched. I didn’t flinch.

The ring ceremony ended. I returned home and, hours later, received a message from Alina.

You took such beautiful photos. Especially this one.

Attached was the image of her kissing Hunter.

My lips twitched. I replied with a single word: Thanks.

Back in my room, I counted my savings.

Two hundred thousand. I had everything I needed.

I stepped into the kitchen where Mom was packing muffins.

“Here,” she said. “They’ll keep you full during your trip. Don’t forget to call me the moment you land.”

She had no idea I wasn’t coming back.

“I love you, Mom,” I whispered, hugging her tightly. “Thank you for everything.”

“You okay?”

“I just need some sleep.”

“Sleep in your room, honey. You’ve got a flight tomorrow,” she said, brushing my hair.

I nodded.

Exactly at 2 a.m., the door creaked open. I felt Hunter’s arms wrap around me from behind. His lips brushed my neck.

“Chris… please tell me you’re not still mad,” he whispered.

I said nothing. My eyes stayed shut. My breathing was slow and heavy. A part of me hoped he’d pull me back in. But my heart was dead weight.

Eventually, he stilled. I could feel his breath against my back. We stayed that way until dawn.

By morning, I rolled my suitcase to the stairs. Mom and Uncle Carter were at the dining table.

“Chris? Where are you going with that luggage?” Uncle Carter asked.

“I have a flight, Uncle.”

Hunter wasn’t home.

“He went off with Alina again,” Uncle Carter said with a scoff. “These kids… so reckless. His sister’s leaving and he doesn’t even care.”

“I have something for him,” I said.

I walked to Hunter’s room and slipped an envelope under his pillow.

Two hundred thousand in cash and a letter.

Then I left for the airport, each step echoing with grief and resolve.

As the plane took off, I watched the city fade into clouds.

And I cried.

Not because I was broken.

But because I believe I would stop loving the boy who called me sister by day…

…and made me his by night.