The wedding had become complete chaos, nothing but ruins.
My mother held my hand, her voice weak and shaking. “Phineas, don’t cry. From now on, you don’t need to worry about me… just live the life you want.”
As soon as she spoke, her eyes slowly closed.
I no longer cared about Lavinia or anyone else. I carried my mother and followed the ambulance.
But her artery had been pierced. Even with emergency treatment, she couldn’t be saved. She died on the operating table.
I collapsed in the doorway, drowned in guilt and grief.
Was this fate cursed? If not, why else would my mother’s blood be spilled on my wedding day?
Lavinia called, but I didn’t pick up.
In the end, she sent a message. [Phineas, how’s Mom?]
[I’m sorry, I’ll apologize to you on Cedric’s behalf! I already brought him out of the mental hospital. The director tested him, and all the results were completely normal.]
[As for why he stabbed your mother, maybe it was just ordinary anger.]
[I’ve already spoken with the police. This is our family’s matter, we can solve it privately. Just pay some money, and it’ll be fine.]
I gripped my phone so tightly my hands shook, fury boiling inside me until I thought I would explode.
Why? Why did she still release him when he had already killed? Normal results?
Damn. I was sure Lavinia’s hands were behind this.
In that instant, I sobered completely. I picked up the phone and called her.
“Why did you still let him out? He already killed someone!”
“But the one he killed was the person who provoked him. You and your mother are the ones who trigger him. Cedric won’t kill people casually.”
“So if you want things to stay fine, just go along with him. Don’t set him off.”
“You have to understand, when mentally ill people kill, they don’t get sentenced…”
The call dragged on, almost every word defending Cedric. There was no point in continuing.
I hung up and, with numb steps, walked into the operating room. Taking one last look at my mother’s face, I still broke down, crying like a child.
If I had lived by my own will, if I had cut ties with Lavinia earlier, my mother would still be alive.
But reality gave no second chances, only the cruel truth.
Without telling anyone, I quietly brought my mother back to our hometown and buried her alone.
After the funeral, I called my superior.
“You agreed to my last suggestion.”
“Leave in three days.”
Right after I hung up, Lavinia called.