"If Marian hadn't shown up when she did, I was completely caught off guard. That kid might've actually killed me."
I clenched my jaw.
Marian stared at me, her expression ice-cold.
"I knew it. Living with a father like you, Freddy's learned how to lie too!
"If I'd known it would come to this, I should've taken him with me three years ago!
"Where is he? I'm taking him back. Frederick and I will raise him together. Anything is better than letting you ruin his entire life!"
"Fine!"
I carried the urn out. My eyes burned as I looked at them.
"Then you'd better go down there and teach him yourselves."
The portrait on the urn stared back at us.
Marian looked at me in disbelief.
My clenched fists trembled.
A year ago, when Freddy died, I'd spent every last cent I had to give him this final little home.
And in the next second, it shattered.
I lunged forward with a scream.
"Freddy!"
"Are you done with this act?!"
Marian seized me by the collar.
"How many times are you going to pull this stunt?"
She grabbed a fistful of ashes. "Charcoal powder mixed with bone-shaped molds. Did you really think I wouldn't notice? I pulled the same trick three years ago!
"You enjoy cursing your own son that much?"
"Mmph!"