I didn't have to cater to her preferences. I didn't have to sit alone in an empty house all night, waiting for her to come home. I didn't have to ask, with my stomach in knots, whether she'd gone out with Melvin again.

Three days passed. Then a message from Greta lit up my phone:

Don't you want your grandmother's memorial tablet?

I'd been kidnapped and raised in the countryside for eighteen years. My grandmother was the only person who ever truly cared for me. She never raised her voice, never scolded me. She'd sneak me food and water behind that vicious couple's backs.

After she died, I knew they'd never honor her memory.

So at Greta's suggestion, I'd placed my grandmother's memorial tablet at the James estate, where it would receive proper offerings.

My chest tightened. I got in the car and drove straight there.

Two bodyguards blocked me at the gate.

"Sorry, sir. No entry without an invitation."

Greta stood just inside, arm linked through Melvin's. He was wearing a tailored designer suit.

That suit. Greta had given it to me on our wedding day, nine years ago.

Melvin's lips curled with satisfaction. "Victor, I thought you wanted nothing to do with Greta. And yet here you are, crawling back."

Greta looked me over with the kind of disgust she'd clearly been rehearsing. "Enough. I know you're here to win me back. Whatever it is, save it for later. Today is my grandfather's eightieth birthday celebration. Melvin and I are the happy couple everyone expects to see."

Melvin's smile turned icy. He turned to Greta. "Go on in and give your grandfather his gift. Don't miss the auspicious hour. Let me have a word with Victor."

Greta looked at him with concern. "If Victor dares lay a hand on you, tell me. I'll handle it."

She shot me one last warning glare, then disappeared through the gate.

I stepped forward. "Greta, I need to get something from inside."

Guests streamed in and out. I couldn't say outright that I'd come for my grandmother's memorial tablet. Bringing up the dead on the old man's eightieth birthday would be an unforgivable offense.

But Greta didn't spare me so much as a glance. She turned and walked away without a word.

Melvin immediately signaled the bodyguards. They seized me and dragged me around to the backyard. He produced the tablet and held it up.

"This is what you came for, isn't it?"

My eyes burned red. "Give it back!"

Melvin let out a cold laugh.