Andrea had been cremated and buried that very night. Liam had even placed the dog tooth along with her, as if this small act was a way to ease his guilt, if only slightly.

Grace walked through the graveyard, then laid the bouquet she had brought at the base of a simple gravestone. There was no inscription, just a photograph.

Without another word, she turned to leave.

Liam sat off to the side and smoked. It took him a few moments to gather himself before he finally said, "Grace... there's something else I want to tell you."

Sebastian's call had given him a fleeting burst of courage, but now, with Andrea's gravestone in front of him and under the weight of Grace's gaze, that courage scattered like ash.

He had now become the very person Grace despised-weak, disappointing, and easily swayed.

If he said what he suspected about Joanne, would she think that he was trying to deflect blame? She barely trusted him as it was. This might be the final thread snapping.

He looked down, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and exhaled slowly.

"You're not really a Lambert by blood," he said quietly. "When I went to the old medicine practitioner, I found a gravestone... The real one, with my sister's name on it. After Dad took her to the countryside, the one who came back wasn't her but you."

He paused for a second before continuing, "I don't know what happened in between. But Dad's gone, and when I tried to ask Mom... She knew nothing. I kept it from her. I thought maybe... I could help you remember who you really are."

Grace didn't stop walking. She merely gave a quiet, noncommittal hum.

Liam's chest tightened at her indifference. Of course. What else had he expected? She resented him now.

He still had yet to mention Joanne. He was terrified that even the slightest hope she had for him would vanish if he ever brought it up. After all, it was only a suspicion.

He remained there silently, gazing at Andrea's gravestone long after Grace had departed. A collection of cigarette butts littered the ground, evidence of his relentless night.

felt like the years were stretching

drove off without

suspicion that she wasn't actually a Lambert. After all, Carmen had always treated

to wish her happiness, yet he couldn't

clarified everything, stripping back

truly wasn't a

the case,

from Sebastian. "You knew I wasn't biologically part of the Lambert family,

already been restructured under your leadership. Everyone here supports you

she wanted it, the

in a serious tone, she asked again, "Are you sure my dad never said

had orchestrated all this, it was improbable that he never

his head silently. "That's unfortunately the case. The late Mr. Lambert always treated you like his

word was measured and perfectly delivered. There wasn't a speck of fault to

time for another trip to the

alternative medicine practitionernet

matters in the Slums tonight demanded he attention.

time night fell, Grace arrived at

hadn't expected her, and her breath caught in her throat, though

here out of the blue? You could've at least

her and entered the room. "I needed to

place came to mind. It's

before she forced a smile Turning on her heel, she retreated to the kitchen, returning moments later with two cups

it you're dealing

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