The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 10

“I’m perfectly fine,” I lied, the words slipping out more easily than I intended. “Just busy with work.”

Marianne didn’t push me further; instead, she guided me into the house, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm of my emotions. As we waited for Ethan to bring the car around, I caught her stealing glances at my phone. Each buzz sent a ripple of anxiety across her features, and I felt a flicker of unease myself. I quickly checked the screen, hoping for a message from Devon, but it was just another social media alert, a reminder of the world outside my troubles.

When Ethan finally pulled up in his sleek BMW, I felt a moment of hesitation wash over me. The car gleamed under the afternoon sun, but it felt like a barrier between me and the comfort of my memories. Sensing my reluctance, Marianne took my arm gently and whispered, “Let him do this one thing, at least. For Elizabeth’s sake.” Her voice was steady, yet it carried the weight of our shared loss, a reminder of the promise we had made to honor my mother.

The journey to Greenwood Cemetery unfolded in a cocoon of silence, broken only by the soft strains of classical music that Marianne had chosen. The melodies wrapped around us, soothing yet melancholic, as we drove through the imposing gates of the historic Brooklyn burial ground. With each passing moment, a familiar heaviness settled in my chest, a reminder of the void that had been carved into my life.

My mother’s grave lay on a gentle slope, perfectly positioned to overlook the Manhattan skyline that she had adored. The headstone was simple yet elegant—a polished black granite slab with her name, Elizabeth Grace Harper, etched in delicate gold letters. Beneath her name, the words she had chosen herself stood as a testament to her spirit: “Love fearlessly, live authentically.”

As we stood before the grave, tears began to spill down my cheeks, unbidden and raw. Five long years had passed, yet the ache felt as fresh as the day she left us. I longed for her guidance, her laughter, and the unwavering support that had always made the world feel a little less daunting.

Marianne knelt beside me, placing a bouquet of white lilies—my mother’s favorite flowers—against the headstone. “Hello, old friend,” she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “We’re here, just as we promised.”

I knelt down, brushing away fallen leaves that had gathered around the base of the stone. “Hi, Mom,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I fought back a wave of emotion. “I’m trying to be strong, just like you taught me. But sometimes, it feels impossible.”

Ethan maintained a respectful distance, allowing us a moment of intimacy in our grief. I could sense his gaze on me, but I chose to focus inward, conjuring memories of my mother. I recalled her radiant smile as she taught me to bake cookies, the fierce pride in her eyes when I won my first design competition, and the gentle wisdom she imparted when I came to her, heartbroken over my first crush.

“She always said you had her spirit,” Marianne remarked, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Stubborn and brave, just like her.”

I cut him off firmly, my voice steady. “Thank you, Ethan, but I’ll handle my business myself.”

Just then, my phone vibrated in my purse, a familiar sensation that sent a jolt through me. I instinctively pulled it out, expecting another message from Sophia about work. However, when I saw the email notification, my heart skipped a beat. Devon Kane.

With trembling fingers, I tapped the screen to open it, each second stretching into eternity as I waited for the message to load. I was vaguely aware of Ethan watching my expression, of Marianne gently pulling him toward the car to grant me a moment of privacy.

Staring at my phone in disbelief, I felt the weight of the two-letter response from Devon Kane glow on the screen like a slap in the face.

“Busy.”