"How many more times are you going to pull this stunt?"
He grabbed a fistful of the ashes. "Bamboo charcoal powder mixed with bone molds. Did you really think I couldn't tell? I already pulled this same trick three years ago!
"You enjoy cursing your own daughter that much?"
"Mmph!"
The ashes were forced into my mouth. I gagged violently.
"Eat it. You made these props yourself, didn't you? Why so squeamish now?"
Clement's eyes were bloodshot as he clamped his hand over my mouth.
He didn't let go until my face turned red.
I collapsed to my knees, coughing without stop.
My shaking hands gathered the ashes from the floor, piece by piece. Tears mixed with the blood in my throat, staining Camille's remains.
I lay facedown in the scattered ashes, sobbing so hard I couldn't breathe.
Clement looked down at me. "Think about it. When Camille grows up and finds out you faked her memorial portrait and forged her ashes just to compete with another woman for attention.
"How do you think she'll feel?
"She'll hate you for the rest of her life."
I was too wrecked to form a single word.
He crouched in front of me. "So. Where is she? If you have even an ounce of conscience as a mother, hand her over to me for now."