No Mercy, No Forgiveness

Maureen watched as Zoe was laid to rest, the endless snow soon burying her.

After the funeral. Zoe’s friends comforted her: “Our deepest condolences.”

Once she saw them off, Maureen asked Ethan to leave with Geoffrey first, wanting one last moment alone with Zoe.

Geoffrey understood she needed space and quietly led Ethan away.

Maureen stood motionless before the tombstone, snow blanketing her shoulders.

She seemed numb to the biting cold.

“Mom, why were you so foolish? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I regret it so much now. Why couldn’t I have stayed with you?”

She whispered to herself until her hair turned frost–white, unaware of time passing.

Her face grew purple and blue from cold when suddenly an umbrella shielded her.

Looking up slowly, she saw a man in a black overcoat, his features calm and composed.

“Why stand here alone in the snow?” Alex asked, his voice gentle. “The deceased would’ve hated seeing you like this.”

Alex reached out to brush the snow off her.

Maureen instinctively dodged: “Uncle, what brings you here?”

That “Uncle” froze Alex’s hand mid–air before he slowly withdrew it.

“I saw the news about Zoe,” he said. “You always said she meant as much as your birth mother. I knew you’d be heartbroken.”

He bowed before the tombstone.

Maureen hadn’t expected him to remember childhood words so clearly. Forcing a smile, she murmured, “Thanks, I’m fine.”

Alex studied her frostbitten face, eyes red and swollen. She didn’t look fine.

“Don’t put up walls with me,” he said gently. “I’ll always stand by you.

Maureen gave a slight nod, words failing her

After a long silence, she whispered, “I should go.”

“Let me drive you”

“No, my car’s nearby.”

state to drive.” Concern

She stopped resisting.

“Dry yourself or

“Thank you.”

towel, brushed off the snow from her body,

driver’s seat, turned on the

surprised: “I’d

listened to it often during

Alex replied.

“Were you all right during those

Alex murmured: “Mostly. Though I

awake.”

to start the car when a Bentley pulled up, two

out.

had woken Jacob at five, but Christmas

they emerged from their car, Maureen spotted them

“Jacob, Katherine.”

and Jacob’s eyes were red–rimmed, clearly

sorry we’re only

18:28

Chapter 337

last night,

shook her head “It’s

Zoe would never

hugged her a silent

hand, lending

to call for Mommy when he saw

exited

Alex could see, Jacob immediately recognized he wasn’t that

“Auntie, don’t be sad.”

Maureen as

understood his meaning and wasn’t

failed to recognize him: “Did Geoffrey

“That’s Alex”

Maureen clarified