Her voice lowers, almost conspiratorial, as she leans in a little closer. “But my favorite anniversary wasn’t the grandest one. It was probably our third or fourth, I think. He woke me up early and told me to pack an overnight bag, and I had no idea where we were going. He drove us out to this tiny cabin in the woods, just a little place he’d found on some whim. It wasn’t anything fancy—no cell service, no TV—but he brought everything to make it special. There were candles, homemade playlists, and even a little picnic he packed himself. He said he wanted us to get away from everything and just…exist together.”

She laughs lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “It was so simple, but it was perfect. Just us, sitting by the fire and talking until we fell asleep.”

She tells the story like it’s sacred like it’s a precious memory she keeps tucked away in her heart. Maybe that’s what makes it worse.

Because either she’s lying, or she’s telling the truth.

And if it’s the truth, if she really did love Gabriel, then I don’t understand how she could’ve killed him.

How do you murder someone you claim to love?

“Gabriel always knew how to make me feel special,” Aubrey says, her eyes shining as if she might cry. But I don’t believe it. I don’t believe her. “That’s why I want to honor him tomorrow. I want to keep his memory alive, you know? It just feels…wrong to let the day go by without doing anything. My Morgan and Teddy were so close to him. It wouldn’t feel right without them there.”

Her hand moves across the table to touch mine briefly, a fleeting gesture of connection.

I see it for what it truly is.

Manipulation.

“And of course, Teddy especially. Gabriel adored him—loved him like he was his own son. I think it’ll be good for him, too. A way for all of us to heal together.”

Heal together.

She makes it sound like she isn’t the reason he’s dead.

I force a smile, my stomach twisting. “It sounds like a thoughtful way to spend the day.”

Her smile widens, pleased. “Wonderful. I’ll take care of everything, of course. You just let Teddy know, and I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

And just like that, the plan is set.

It’s almost laughable—how she thinks she’s controlling the situation when, really, she’s just given us exactly what we needed.

If we showed up at the cemetery unannounced, she would’ve been on high alert. Suspicious. But now? Now she’s expecting us. Now we have a chance to plan, to set things in motion before we get there.

It’s perfect.