A broken code of Promise

The Truth After the Funeral

Cassie’s POV

The burial of my husband was faster than expected. Many people came to say their goodbyes to an unlucky man who died young. Those who loved him said Linx was like a flower about to unfold, only to be cut off from the stem. They were hurt but accepted that sometimes flowers don’t bloom—they’re just scorched by the sun and never make it. I saw it differently: Linx met his fate. He played with the drugs, and they labeled his end.

After the funeral, I drove straight to Rainbow Hospital to see Jaxon. He had been rushed there after collapsing in the church. I was with my daughter. On reaching the hospital, we took the escalator to the third floor where Jaxon was. Cathy clung to me, afraid of the moving stairs.

When we arrived, I went straight to Jaxon’s room. I opened the door and saw him asleep. A nurse appeared from another room and attended to me. She said there was nothing to worry about—Jaxon just needed rest. It seemed clear to me that he had been overwhelmed upon learning I was married to Linx. I allowed that thought to settle in my mind and felt a sense of confirmation.

While I spoke with the nurse, Cathy was busy playing with water from a nearby tap. I raised my voice at her immediately, warning her that the water wasn’t safe. She stopped and buried her face in my hands. The nurse questioned my tone and cautioned me about my noise. I apologized and tried to explain my situation. She quickly reassured me, realizing I had come straight from the funeral judging by my attire.

Cathy stood next to me, cutting her fingernails with her teeth. I knew she was angry because of my earlier tone. I took a container of water from my purse and handed it to her. She didn’t smile.

“Cathy, my princess, I’m sorry. A lot is going on in my mind. We just buried your uncle Linx, and I even hit someone with the car. Now he’s in the hospital,” I explained.

“I’m sorry, Mommy. I just don’t like it when you’re tense because you yell at me,” she said, taking the water from my hands.

“Oh, my princess, I promise I’ll never yell at you again,” I said, kissing her forehead. She smiled and drank.

I waited to see the doctor, as the nurse had suggested, but he was late. I wanted to go home and rest. When I was about to lose patience, the doctor arrived. He assured me Jaxon was alright despite collapsing—just a small strain in his hand. He took my number and promised to call me once Jaxon was awake. My daughter and I drove back home.

On the way, I couldn’t relax my mind. I kept thinking about my brother’s behavior at the funeral. He disappeared sooner than everyone else. His reaction after seeing Jaxon seemed unusual. While others were shocked, he seemed ready for a fight. I couldn’t make sense of it.

Still driving, Cathy spotted a bag in the back seat. I was surprised—it belonged to Jaxon. I considered driving back to the hospital to return it, but decided against it. If he wanted it, he would come to my house.

We reached home and prepared an early supper, which we quickly finished. Afterward, I took a shower while Cathy washed the dishes before heading to her playroom. I dressed and prepared for a long nap, ignoring that it was sunset. My body craved rest. I pushed thoughts of Linx’s parents aside—they clearly didn’t care about me. Going to the funeral, wearing black—it was just formality. I threw myself onto my bed, nearly landing on Jaxon’s bag. I set it aside. I almost opened it, but stopped myself. Within minutes, I dozed off.

I dreamed.

He opened the door, and the air in the house popped with balloons. I saw the smile from the tip of his cheeks. He looked handsome. My little Cathy ran to him, and he picked her up onto his shoulders. He was a good father.

“I was gone for too long, but now I’m back. I love you, Cassie,” he said, kissing my lips.

“I love you too, Jaxon,” I whispered, feeling the weight of his well-sized lips.

“Mommy!” Cathy screamed, shaking me awake. I jumped.

“I’ve been trying to wake you up. Your phone—it’s been ringing. I answered it. The doctor said I should wake you,” she informed me.

I took my phone from her and placed her on my lap while calling the doctor. It was already 7 PM. Cathy remained awake, likely preparing for bed in the bedroom.

“Cassie, Jaxon is alright. He discharged himself. He’s on his way to your house,” the doctor said, then hung up.

“What?” I asked in disbelief. “This doctor is very rude! He disconnected while I was the one calling. I didn’t even say a word.”

I spread the sheets for Cathy and cuddled her while she told stories, expecting me to respond. My mind was half-focused, waiting for Jaxon’s knock, and it came. I went to the door and peeked out. Cathy was behind me.

“It’s late. What do you want?” I asked foolishly, knowing he wanted his bag.

“I’m sorry to intrude, Cassie. I know I don’t have that right. I’m here for my bag,” he said, hands in his pockets.

I stayed quiet and sent Cathy to fetch the bag from the bedroom. I left the door slightly open, my head still outside. Jaxon was silent, his eyes fixed on me. He cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry for what happened to Linx. I didn’t know he was your husband… death is unfair to such a beautiful family,” he paused, exhaling, then added, “He left such a beautiful daughter.”

I had no words. Cathy returned without the bag.

“Where is the bag, Cathy?” I asked.

“I didn’t see it, Mommy,” she replied.

Seizing the opportunity to avoid answering Jaxon, I told him to enter the house while I went to fetch it.

Jaxon’s POV

As Cassie left, I looked at her daughter. She was pretty. I smiled.

“Hey, little one. How are you?”

“I’m good,” she replied.

“What’s your name, and how old are you?” I asked, sitting on the sofa.

“I’m ten. My name is Cathy. I use my grandmother’s name,” she said, giving more information than I asked. Children are like that sometimes.

I became curious. Ten years old—it seemed Cassie and Linx had been together for the past decade. But that didn’t add up. Cathy said she used her grandmother’s name… which belonged to my mother, not Linx’s. My heart raced. Could she be my child? I stopped myself—if she were, Cassie would have told me about the pregnancy before I ran away ten years ago.

“Who is your grandmother?” I asked.

She replied, “I told you, I share the same name with her. My mommy said she died the day I was born.”

I realized the grandmother Cathy spoke of could only be my mother—but I didn’t know she was dead.

Cassie’s POV

When I returned with Jaxon’s bag, he was standing in front of Cathy. His eyes found mine. He had realized the truth, and I didn’t know how to respond.

“Why?” he asked, impatient.

I stammered.

“Is she my daughter?” he asked again, placing his hand over Cathy’s head. She ran to me, and I couldn’t respond.

“Is my mother dead, Cassie?!” he roared. His face twisted with anger, veins prominent. He cried, demanding an answer.

“It’s been ten years, Jaxon… You never called, never asked, never cared. It pains me. Your mother died years ago, and you weren’t there to protect her. But she died happy, knowing she would have a granddaughter. That’s all you need to know, Jaxon. You need to rest now, just as the doctor said. You haven’t fully recovered,” I said, tears streaming.

He said nothing, just nodded, then looked at Cathy. My daughter ran to the bedroom. Jaxon’s eyes filled with tears. He came closer, took his bag from my hands, and said,

“I’m sorry, Cassie. I wish I could say more.”

He closed the door and walked away.