Chapter 4

Elias's memorial service was set for three days later.

"Lena, wear this black dress to the memorial, okay?" Victoria handed me a dress. "I specially picked it out for you. The fabric is very comfortable, so your knees won't hurt too much from kneeling."

She smiled, gentle and considerate, but her words were vicious, like a poisoned dagger.

"Thank you, Victoria," I took the dress.

"Don't mention it, we're sisters, after all." She linked her arm through mine affectionately. "Oh, and Mom and Dad told me to tell you to behave well at the memorial. Don't embarrass the family again."

"I know."

"Good." She patted my hand, satisfied. "Lena, don't blame us, and don't blame Caleb. We're all doing this for your own good."

On the day of the memorial, all the prominent figures in the city arrived.

The [Caleb's Last Name] family held immense power, and Elias's death was a major event.

I wore the black gown Victoria had prepared for me, my hair neatly tied back, my face utterly devoid of color.

The funeral hall was solemn and dignified. In the center stood Elias's black and white portrait.

He still had that gentle, refined look, a slight smile on his lips, gazing with pity at everyone who came to mourn him.

Caleb stood by the portrait, dressed in a black suit, his expression stark.

Victoria, playing the grieving fiancée, stood on his other side, accepting condolences, crying her eyes out, looking utterly heartbroken.

When it was my turn, the entire hall fell silent.

All eyes focused on me, filled with curiosity, contempt, and schadenfreude.

I walked to the altar, not looking at anyone, and knelt directly.

Then, I lowered my head and brought it down hard on the cold floor.

"Thud."

A muffled sound, distinct in the silent hall.

"Lena [Lena's Last Name], the sinner of her family, begs forgiveness for Elias [Caleb's Last Name]." My voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for everyone present to hear.

"Thud."

"For Elias, I repent his misguided love for Victoria."

Victoria's body stiffened.

"Thud."

"For Elias, I repent his misplaced trust in my family."

My family members' faces darkened.

"Thud."

"And for Elias..."

I kept bowing, again and again. My forehead quickly became red and swollen, and trickles of blood began to appear.

The blood ran down my cheek, dripping onto the floor, forming a small, eerie flower.

I didn't stop.

I felt no pain, only one thought in my mind.

Bow.

Keep bowing.

I looked up, through the blurry red haze, at Elias's portrait.

He was still smiling.

So hypocritical, so sickening.

"And for Elias... his untimely death brings me immense satisfaction."

I spoke each word clearly, distinctly.

"Thud."

This time, the sound was louder than before.

As if all the hatred in my heart was being slammed into that cold floor.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Victoria's sobbing stopped.

A hand suddenly clamped onto my hair, yanking me up from the ground.

A tearing pain shot through my scalp.

Caleb's face was inches from mine, his eyes burning with a rage that threatened to incinerate me.

"You're asking for death."

He spat the words through clenched teeth.