---- Chapter 3 It was Mom's death anniversary. I waited at her grave for a long time. Only a few bouquets of flowers arrived, sent by Dad's assistant. Jones had promised he wouldn't forget, but he never showed up. I picked up my phone and called him. It took over ten tries before someone finally answered. It was Rose's mother. "Oh, Grace! Jones is busy helping Rose right now. Did you need something?" "Today is my mother's death anniversary." "Oh no, your mom's day... We completely forgot. How awful of us. Our little kitten just gave birth today. Jones and Rose were helping her through labor. We got so caught up in it that we forgot all ---- about the important stuff. Even if we leave now, we probably won't make it in time. What should we do?" "who's on the phone?" "It?s Grace. She sounds upset. You'd better talk to her." "Hey, Grace?" Jones's voice finally came through. I hung up immediately and blocked his number. The photo on Mom's headstone still smiled at me, kind and gentle as ever. It was early May. The world around me was bursting with life, but I knelt there, arms wrapped around her grave, frozen to the core. 'It's okay, Mom. I'll never forget you. I promise.' After taking care of some paperwork, I headed back to the little villa. ---- On the way, I ran into the three of them: Kyle, Jones, and Rose. Jones and Kyle flanked Rose on either side, walking like her personal bodyguards. She was holding a huge bouquet of flowers and a pile of gifts, smiling sweetly. When they saw me, Jones was the first to speak. "Grace, look how amazing Rose is! Her totem design got full endorsement from the Royal Werewolf Court." Rose gave a modest, bashful little smile. ''I just wanted to be as good as Gracie, that's all..." Kyle held up her designs, scoffing at me. "Trying to compare yourself to her? She's a top university grad, and even she didn't create anything noteworthy. When it comes to design, Rose, you're the one with real talent. Don't lower yourself." My gaze caught on the patterns in the design.