On the deck, Julian held Eve in his arms, his face soft with tenderness, accepting congratulations from the crowd.
To celebrate their hundredth day together, he'd arranged a fireworks show.
Explosions of color filled the sky as they embraced.
And me? Mrs. Gilbert was hiding in the shadows, face expressionless, handing champagne glasses to passing guests.
I'd tried to stay out of sight. It wasn't enough. Julian spotted me anyway.
Our eyes met. His filled with disgust.
Eve clapped a hand over her mouth in theatrical shock.
"Mrs. Gilbert! What are you doing here?"
"Dressed like that—are you trying to humiliate Mr. Gilbert in public so you can squeeze money out of him?"
I ignored her taunts and turned to leave, but someone grabbed my wrist.
Julian was barely containing his rage.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble? I told you to stay home and be Mrs. Gilbert!"
I wrenched free, my stare ice-cold.
"Mr. Gilbert, I'm just trying to earn enough to bury my mother. Is that a problem for you too?"
Disappointment flooded his eyes. He waved his hand, and someone emerged from the cabin carrying an urn.