Chapter 4The Last Letter of My Heart

There was a three-second pause on the other end of the line, followed by a scornful laugh.

“Someone as vicious as you, Avery? People like you live forever. But fine. If you do manage to die before me, don’t worry. I’ll give you the grandest funeral this city has ever seen. I’ll light a candle for you on every street corner in Harbor City.”

With that promise, I hung up, satisfied.

As I left the hospital, I saw the mother and daughter from the corridor.

The little girl was puffing out her chest defiantly. “See? Someone does care about her! I care about her!”

“Alright, alright, let’s go or we’ll miss the bus… oh, there it is!” her mother exclaimed, and they hurried off.

I walked to the parking garage. When I drove out, they were still waiting at the bus stop, so I pulled over.

“Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”

I dropped them off downtown, their grateful thanks still ringing in my ears. As they walked away, I saw a familiar group coming out of a nearby restaurant.

“Well, well, look who’s doing good deeds,” Seth sneered, spotting me. “Guess she’s trying to earn some good karma before it’s too late.”

They were all drunk. Lily’s eyes, however, were sober and sharp as she stared at me.

I had no desire to engage. I was about to drive off when Lily stepped forward and pressed her hand against my window.

Her lips were curved into a sweet smile, but her eyes were cold as ice.

“Avery, I just found out about your history with Hayden. I… I hope I didn’t offend you yesterday.”

I tried to roll up the window, but she held it down firmly.

“I have something for you,” she said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. “I really don’t have any hard feelings.”

“I’m not interested in your act. Get lost.”

Lily suddenly let go. Just as I was about to hit the gas, she pulled a small urn from her designer handbag.

“I heard your mother’s memorial plaque was destroyed in the bar,” she said sweetly. “I was afraid you’d have nothing left to remember her by, so I went back this morning and gathered a handful of ash from the site.”

She leaned in through the open window and, right before my eyes, tipped the urn over, pouring its contents onto the pavement.

“Oh!” she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “You didn’t catch it! You’re not mad at me, are you?”

I watched her pathetic performance, a cold fury building inside me.

Fine. She started this.

The guys on the sidewalk were clueless, praising Lily’s magnanimity.

“Wow, Lily, you’re so big-hearted. Talking to her without getting disgusted, and even bringing her a gift.”

Lily shot a triumphant look over her shoulder as she walked toward the Porsche parked in front of me. She dangled the keys, a small celebration of her victory.

I looked past her, my eyes landing on Seth. “I have a gift for her, too.”

Seth scoffed. “What could you possibly give her?”

I clicked my seatbelt into place. “A ride to hell.”

Before the last word left my lips, I floored the accelerator.