Betty lowered her head too . " If Mom was still here , she wouldn't have missed this . She'd ask my teachers how I should choose my college major . She would hug me and congratulate me for taking one step into adulthood … " Alas , her mother was gone ! She finally understood how important her mother had been to her . After the graduation ceremony , David rushed off to a hotel for a business meeting . He bowed and smiled , humbling himself for deals . Without Jasmine , every expense at home fell on his shoulders . After losing her , the only way he could numb the pain was to bury himself in endless work . His hair had gone mostly gray , but nothing he did could ease the anguish of losing Jasmine . Betty's college acceptance letter arrived . She had chosen a university as far away from home as possible . With that , only David would be left , alone in the house , facing the hollow silence that never left . At the cemetery . Lilith placed a bouquet in front of Jasmine's tombstone . She took out two slices of nut cake , putting one in front of the stone , and picking up the other to eat . " Before we drifted apart , we used to eat nut cake from the vendor by school . 1/2 Chapter 10 " Years passed in a blink . " Jasmine , those who hurt you have paid the price . If there's a next life , you'll be born into a family that truly loves you . " I should go . Work's been a bit busy . Next time , I'll bring your favorite , chilled white wine . " Lilith gently brushed the dust from Jasmine's smiling portrait on the stone . She smiled faintly at Jasmine's photo , then turned and walked away . A breeze passed . A small bird flew to the tombstone , flapped its wings lightly , and pecked away the nut on the cake .