Chapter 82: Memories and Terror

The roses were beautiful and vibrant in the dreary graveyard. The headstone had been polished and the grave had been refilled with fresh dirt and made to look neat. The sight eased something in Basil, but he still didn’t know why he was there looking at Laura’s grave.

Grief? Guilt? Some misplaced sense of regret? Wasn’t he happy? Hadn’t he told her that she meant nothing to him?

His chest felt tight at the memory. Her shocked expression, the tears in her eyes.

*“You are nothing,” he’d told her.*

*She lowered her head. Her jaw trembled. Resignation and confusion rippled across her expression. Her shoulders began to relax into a defeated slump. He’d been a little thrilled to see it.*

He winced thinking back to that night and rubbing the back of his neck. He’d felt powerful and on top of the world with Delia on his arm and looking down at Laura in her plain dress.

*“I care not what happens to you after our divorce.”*

He knew now it was a lie, but he turned away from the grave and k