Long after I had coaxed Carter to sleep, the guest room door creaked open. Brooklyn leaned against the frame, looking at me with provocative triumph. She tugged her silk pajama collar down just enough to reveal fresh, ambiguous red marks on her neck.

"Sorry, Ava." She purred. "Justin fell asleep in my room."

I smiled. No surprise flickered in my gaze. "Okay."

A scene I'd witnessed enough times to become immune to.

Early the next morning, Justin emerged from the guest bedroom. Dark circles bruised the skin under his eyes.

Brooklyn stood on her tiptoes, fussing over him as she straightened his collar. "You worked so hard last night, Justin."

The double meaning hung heavy. In the past, those words would have ignited a screaming match. I would have demanded explanations.

Now, Justin glanced at me, panic flaring as he opened his mouth to explain.

I cut him off with a light laugh. "Eat breakfast. We have to visit the grave soon."

Two weeks ago, we had agreed to visit my mother's grave today. When she was alive, she had doted on Justin, treating him like her own flesh and blood. Every year, I brought him along to pay respects.

He went to the factory specifically to swap cars, bringing back the largest SUV for the trip.

As we approached the vehicle, Brooklyn moved with practiced speed, sliding into the front passenger seat before I could reach the door.

Justin looked at me, an apologetic grimace on his face. "Ava... she's suffered a lot and doesn't know the rules. She gets carsick. Don't hold it against her."

I shook my head, opening the rear door. "It's just a seat. Not important."

Just like him. In my heart, Justin had long ceased to be important.

After dropping Carter and Tommy at school, Justin drove us toward the cemetery. The silence was suffocating.

Just as the cemetery gates came into view, Brooklyn gasped. She clutched her chest, face contorting.

"It hurts..." she whimpered. "My chest..."

Justin slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt on the shoulder. "What is it? Can you hold on?"

Tears spilled from Brooklyn's eyes. She bit her lip, trembling as if fighting a great battle. "I... I can try."

Justin's focus was absolute, his worried gaze glued to her, oblivious to everything else.

I didn't wait for him to decide. I opened the door and stepped out onto the roadside.

"Take her to the hospital. I can walk the rest of the way."