Chapter 1032: How Could It Be Lily?

Three days had flown by in a haze.

Mary was slumped over her desk, thinking about what to grab for dinner after work, when her eyes landed on the calendar.

The moment she saw the date, she froze.

The 21st!

Painful memories she had buried deep came rushing back like a tidal wave.

Three years ago today, the sky was dark, and the world was drenched in rain.

Amidst the thunder and lightning, her father, Kenneth, had just finished a meeting in a neighboring city and called her. "Mary, my meeting's done. I'm heading back now. I'll be home in time to celebrate your birthday tomorrow."

Mary, sitting on the couch with a stuffed animal in her arms, looked out at the storm and said playfully, "Dad, if you don't keep your word, I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Alright, alright, I promise, my little princess. I'll definitely be back. Do you want to talk to Timothy? He's here with me and wants to wish you a happy birthday."

Mary blushed a little. "Dad, stop it. Just come back soon."

Her father, Kenneth, was a renowned professor in the Marshall City medical system, and Timothy was his student and protégé.

They had attended the meeting together.

That rainy night, they set out late to get back in time for her birthday.

But the driver, exhausted, caused an accident on the road.

Three people in the car, one dead, two injured.

The one who died was Kenneth.

It was all her fault.

If she hadn't been so spoiled and insisted on Kenneth being there for her birthday, he wouldn't have rushed back and gotten into the accident.

Kenneth's death was a punishment from God for her selfishness.

She was the real murderer!

The day before her birthday was the anniversary of Kenneth's death!

She could never forgive herself!

Never!

Mary lay on the desk, tears streaming down her face.

If only Kenneth hadn't died, he would be nearing retirement now, relaxing, maybe adopting a cat or dog, fishing, and enjoying coffee.

The tears flowed more freely as time passed.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, pulling her back to reality.

It was a message from Timothy: "Can't make it tonight. See you at the cemetery tomorrow."

Timothy sent the message and went straight into surgery, finishing around three or four in the morning, then rested in his office.

Mary didn't know any of this. She just stared at her phone, lost in thought.

No matter what, Timothy was a dedicated student. He never forgot Kenneth's death anniversary.

He always accompanied her to the cemetery and brought flowers.

But now they were getting divorced. Did she still need to rely on Timothy to mourn Kenneth?

Wiping her tears, Mary stood up, packed her things, and left work early.

At 7 a.m., Catherine arrived at the hospital.

She went straight to Timothy's office. Before she could knock, Timothy, resting on his desk, woke up.

"Why are you here so early?"

Catherine smiled. "I knew you had a big surgery last night, so I came to have breakfast with you. Otherwise, knowing you, you'd skip it again. You can't keep doing this to your body."

"No, I can't. I have things to do." Timothy rubbed his temples, clearly exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.

"What's going on?" Catherine asked, surprised. It was still early, and Timothy had no surgeries scheduled. What could be so urgent?

"Today is Professor Smith's death anniversary. I need to get ready and go to the cemetery."

"What?" Catherine was taken aback but quickly composed herself. "When Professor Smith passed away, I couldn't make it back. If you're going to the cemetery, can I come with you?"

Timothy hesitated, but Catherine continued, "It's something I've regretted for years. Professor Smith was kind to me, and I never got to say goodbye."

"Alright," Timothy finally agreed.

He checked his phone and saw that Mary hadn't replied. Oh well, she wouldn't forget today.

Timothy put down his phone, got dressed, and left with Catherine.

Mary hadn't forgotten the date, but she didn't wait for Timothy. She was used to visiting Kenneth with Timothy, but since they were divorcing, she decided to come early and be the first to see Kenneth.

At 6:30 a.m., the cemetery was shrouded in a light mist. Mary stood at the foot of the hill, lost in thought, before slowly making her way up. Step by step, she hoped to calm her chaotic mind and show a bit of sincerity. Kenneth was gone, and this was all she could do.

She didn't know that at the cemetery entrance, a white car had arrived. A man in a designer suit, with an air of elegance and a handsome face, held a bouquet of white lilies and walked solemnly into the cemetery.

His assistant asked, "Mr. Turner, should I go in with you?"

Charles looked at the lilies and shook his head. He soon found the familiar photo in the cemetery. Kenneth's kind smile seemed to say he had never left.

"I'm back," Charles said softly, placing the lilies on the grave. White lilies symbolize a wish for the deceased to find happiness in the afterlife. It was Kenneth's favorite flower, and now Charles's greatest wish.

"I've been running away for so long. Are you disappointed in me?" Pain filled Charles's eyes, but he held it back. "Don't worry. I'll find Mary. I won't be a coward anymore."

Charles said a few more words before leaving to handle other matters. As his car started, Mary arrived. They missed each other, neither seeing the other.

Mary noticed the lilies immediately. The pure white lilies were heartbreakingly beautiful. She was stunned. She rushed over, unable to believe her eyes. It was definitely lilies!

How could it be lilies? Kenneth once said he never wanted to see lilies again. Everyone thought Kenneth disliked lilies, so no one ever brought them to his grave. Only Mary knew the truth. Kenneth didn't dislike lilies; they reminded him of someone, so he didn't want to see them. Even Timothy didn't know this secret!

For years, no one had ever used lilies to mourn Kenneth!