The cemetery was quiet. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the marble tombstones. I knelt in front of Celeste’s grave, my fingers tracing her name on the cold stone.
"Hey, baby," I whispered. "Mommy’s here."
The wind blew gently, rustling the leaves around me. I closed my eyes, feeling the ache in my chest grow.
"I miss you so much," I choked out. "I still wake up expecting to hear your little footsteps running down the hall. I still think I’ll turn around and see your smile."
Tears spilled down my cheeks, dripping onto the ground. "I should have protected you," I whispered. "I should have been there. But I promise, Celeste... I won’t let them get away with this."
I wiped my tears, my voice firm. "I’ll find the truth. No matter what it takes. But for now, I need to leave you for a while. But promise, I'll be back…”
For a long time, I sat there in silence, letting my grief wash over me when my phone rang.
Damian.
I exhaled and answered. "Yeah?"
"You still wanna leave the city?" His voice was steady, no nonsense. He wasn’t asking because he doubted me—he was asking because he was making it happen.
I clenched my jaw. "Yes."