Behind her sunglasses, she stared at Elissa’s name etched in stone, the dates marking the beginning and end of a life far too short. Her eyes blurred with tears.
Her voice was hoarse as she whispered, “Elissa, I came to see you.” She lifted her hand and brushed her fingertips over the plaque. She could still picture Elissa’s smile—one she’d never see again.
“Is it here?”
“I think so… Miss Harris, this way!” Voices broke the stillness nearby.
At the sound of “Miss Harris,” Hadley froze and looked up.
Just a few steps away, Linda appeared—seated in a wheelchair, being pushed slowly by a caregiver. What was she doing here?
The tears in Hadley’s eyes dried on the spot, leaving faint streaks along her cheeks. Behind her glasses, her gaze hardened as Linda approached.
“Hadley.” Tamara stepped forward and blocked her path, shielding her. “Stay behind me.”
“I know.”
Hadley understood the warning. Still, this was a cemetery. Other people were around. “She won’t start anything here,” she added.
But why had Linda come?
Linda’s wheelchair rolled to a stop. She looked at Hadley and offered a faint smile. “What a coincidence! You’re here too?”
Too?
Why did Linda say “too”?
Hadley’s brow furrowed. Her hands curled into fists. “Don’t tell me you came for Elissa.”
“I did,” Linda said with a nod. With a shrug, she added, “I’m leaving Srixby soon. Thought I’d visit before I go. I probably won’t get another chance.”
She turned to her caregiver and passed over the bouquet in her arms. “Jane, please.”
Ltst chptrs in gαlovels.c?m
“Of course.” Jane took the bouquet and stepped forward, ready to place it in front of Elissa’s plaque.
Hadley’s eyes widened. In one swift motion, she strode over and yanked the bouquet from Jane’s hands.
She held it up in front of Linda. “You have the nerve to show up here? With flowers? Aren’t you afraid Elissa might haunt you for this?” She hurled the bouquet aside with a sharp flick of her wrist.
“Ah!” Jane gasped and turned to Linda. “Miss Harris…?”
“It’s fine.” Linda’s tone was calm as she shook her head, her gaze fixed on Hadley. “You’re still the same—reckless and loud. I came here to pay my respects. That’s all.”
“Respects?” Hadley’s chest tightened. She tore off her sunglasses, revealing bloodshot eyes brimming with fury. “You murdered her. And now you stand here acting like you care? Are you trying to show off that you’re getting away with it?”
Linda blinked, caught off guard. After a long pause, she gave a slow shake of her head and sighed. A faint, amused smile tugged at her lips. “So dull… you figured it out too quick.”
.
.
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