Willy’s disappointment in me deepened as he turned away without hesitation. "Hold on, Sophia. I’ll take you there."
As he carried her off, she threw me a silent taunt, mouthing, "Pathetic."
Watching their retreating figures, I knew—this was the end. Willy and I were finished.
That evening, I returned to the cemetery alone. I bought a new urn, hired the staff to carefully collect Little Treasure’s ashes and held him close to my chest. I walked away without looking back.
A funeral like that? My Little Treasure wouldn’t care. A father like that? My Little Treasure didn’t need.
***
At home, I dismissed the nanny, granting her an extended leave. As I sat in silence, my phone rang. Willy.
"Carol, are you home yet?" His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "Don’t be upset, okay? Sophia’s foot is fine. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that today—I was just worried."
He sighed heavily. "The stairs were steep. If Sophia had fallen badly... if something happened to her, what would Benny do? We already lost a child, Carol. I just couldn’t bear to see Benny lose his mother too."
His words felt like knives carving into my heart.