He Put Our Love on Pause, Then Married Her Behind My Back Chapter 05

Maya stayed with me while I worked through the paperwork for Grandma, one form at a time. My hand

shook every time I signed.

The doctor slid her medical records and death certificate toward me.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said quietly.

I nodded, but my throat had closed up. I couldn’t get a word out.

Maya gathered the documents for me, then helped me over to collect Grandma’s belongings. The bag felt so

light when they handed it to me.

Inside were only her reading glasses, a cardigan faded from washing, and the handkerchief she’d kept beneath her pillow.

I took out the handkerchief and slowly unfolded it.

The slip of paper with the wedding dates she’d picked for me was still inside. The paper’s edges had

softened from being handled so often.

I stared at the dates, and the tears came all at once. Just the day before, she’d held my hand and asked

about my wedding.

Maya pushed a laptop toward me.

“Claire. If you don’t want to keep taking this, tell people what happened.”

I nodded and began writing down what had happened in Grandma’s hospital room, one sentence at a time. Then I attached photos of us from over the years, payment records, and screenshots of our messages.

Before I posted it, Maya looked at me.

“Are you sure?” she asked softly.

I nodded.

“Grandma’s already paid the price for what they put me through. I’m not keeping quiet this time.”

I hit Post.

My phone started buzzing almost immediately. First, our friends’ group chat blew up. Then the calls started

coming, one after another.

I didn’t answer a single one. Evelyn called three times, Luke twice. Even Ryan called.

Finally, Ethan’s name appeared on the screen, I stared at it for a few seconds, then declined the call.

A message from Evelyn followed soon after.

(What exactly was going on between you and Ethan? Were you really together for five years?]

I looked at the screen and remembered her standing at the door that evening, holding Sophie’s hand and

smiling.

“He’s finally brought you over!”

Only now had she realized I wasn’t the housekeeper. I didn’t reply. I just deleted the conversation.

Within half an hour, the mood in our friends’ group chat had changed. People who’d been congratulating them just yesterday began deleting their messages.

Some sent me private messages.

[Claire, I’m sorry. I had no idea what had really happened.]

Others asked questions.

[Was seeing that post what upset your grandma?]

I didn’t explain or answer. All I posted was a funeral notice, with the time and place clearly listed. Anyone

who wanted to say goodbye to Grandma could come.

The next day, a cold wind blew outside the funeral home. I stood by the entrance holding the bag of Grandma’s belongings, going over the names with a staff member.

I’d just written down the last name when Ethan arrived. He stood in front of me, dark circles under his eyes,

as if he hadn’t slept all night.

“Let me take that.” He reached for the bag in my arms.

I immediately stepped back and held it tighter.

“Don’t touch it.”

The staff member glanced up at him.

“Is he family?”

“No,” I said softly, my voice steady.

“He’s not family. Don’t let him in.”

Ethan went still, his hand hanging between us. A long moment passed before he spoke, his voice rough.

“Grandma used to think of me as family, too. I should be here to say goodbye.”

My eyes burned as I looked at him.

“She wouldn’t want you anywhere near her.”

The color drained from his face.

Evelyn arrived not long after. Her gaze fell on the bag in my arms, and she hurried over.

“She’s really gone?” Her voice shook.

I didn’t answer. Luke followed behind her, his head down.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

“I really didn’t know she was that sick.”

I looked up at him, my voice cold and flat.

“She was right there in a hospital bed. And now you’re telling me you didn’t know?”

He kept his head down, unable to meet my eyes.

Sophie came last, carrying a bouquet of white flowers. Her hands were shaking when she stopped in front of

“I really was trying to explain. I didn’t mean to upset your grandmother.”

I glanced at her, then down at the flowers.

“You’re part of the reason she’s dead.”

Sophie went pale. Tears ran down her chin and splashed onto the petals. She tried to speak again, but Ethan

raised a hand to stop her.

I stepped inside and looked back just before the door closed. He was still there, rigid, making no attempt to

follow.

I looked at the framed photos and finally doubled over, sobbing so hard I shook. Maya held me, her eyes red,

too.

“Let it out. No one gets to tell you to hold it in this time.”