Chapter 5
On the day we remembered my mom, I waited and waited.
My dad had sent some flowers, but that was it.
Tyler was a no–show.
I tried calling, but no answer, not even after three tries.
On the fourth ring, someone finally picked up.
It was Michelle’s mom. “Grace? Are you looking for Tyler?”
“Today is my mom’s anniversary,” I said.
“Oh, it’s your mom’s anniversary? We’re so out of it.
“Our puppy just had a litter, and Tyler and Michelle are just crazy about them. They lost track of time and forgot about the big day.
“It’s probably too late to come now. What can we do?”
“Who’s on the phone?” I heard Tyler ask in the background.
“It’s Grace. She seems angry. What can we do, Tyler?” Michelle’s mom said.
“Grace?” Tyler finally got on the phone.
I cut the call short and blocked his number.
My mom was smiling at me from her black and white picture on
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the tombstone.
Her smile was brimming with tender and loving affection.
It was heartwarming.
I was on my knees, but it felt like had plunged into the icy depths of an abyss.
I held the tombstone tight and placed a kiss on my mom’s cheek in the picture.
“Don’t worry. I’m here for you, and I’ll never forget you,” | muttered.
Ireturned from the lawyer’s office and stepped into our cozy home.
There, I found Antonio and the other two.
Michelle was the center of their attention.
She clutched a massive bouquet, her face lit up with happiness.
Upon spotting me, Tyler was quick to speak, “Grace, just look at how incredible Michelle is. Her design won a major international prize.”
“I was just trying to match Grace’s success,” Michelle replied, with all humility.
Holding the design, Antonio let out a sneer, “Match her? Even with a top mentor, she hasn’t won a single award.
“It’s all about natural talent, Michelle. Don’t undervalue yourself.”
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My gaze was instantly captured by the design’s lines.
1288 vouchers
I couldn’t resist stepping forward and yanking it out of Antonio’s hands.
Each page was nearly a carbon copy of my original work.
5
Michelle must have pilfered my draft to win that award!
I snapped, “You stole my design! Michelle, how can you be so brazen?”
Trembling with rage, I couldn’t stop myself from raising my hand to strike her.
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But as my hand went up, Antonio clamped down on my wrist hard.
Then, a powerful force struck me.
I got knocked down onto the floor, looking messy and embarrassed.
