The Sterling estate was in chaos before Alexander arrived.

My father saw the soldiers from his window and knew. He always knew this day might come.

He tried to run. Captain Wei's men blocked every exit.

Alexander dismounted in the courtyard. Twenty armed soldiers flanked him. The magistrate followed with his clerks.

"Lord Sterling," Alexander said. His voice carried the calm of a man who had already decided the verdict. "Where is your daughter?"

My father's composure cracked. "She's at your estate, my Lord. Victoria—"

"I asked about Amelia."

The name hung in the air like an executioner's blade.

My mother appeared at the doorway, supported by a maid. Her face was gaunt—she'd been ill since my death. Perhaps from grief. Perhaps from guilt.

"Dig," Alexander told Captain Wei, pointing at the pear tree.

My father lunged forward. "You can't! This is my property—"

"This is the property of a man who gave me one daughter and buried another. The magistrate's warrant says I can."

They dug for less than an hour.

When they found me, Alexander stood at the edge of the grave and stared down at the wrapped body for a very long time.

I floated beside him, watching him watch me.

He didn't cry. Alexander never cried. But his hand found the dried pear blossom in his pocket, and he held it so tightly that it crumbled to dust.

"Arrest Lord Sterling," he said. "And bring the woman from my estate. The one calling herself my wife."