The Truths Behind the Life of Maeve Sun Lively

66

THROUGH JUNO GALLAPHER, THOUGH I was really asking Mason to help me, but when I called his number it switched to another line and was Juno's number instead. Either way, I found out what I was looking for——but not before getting more concerned about Mason's health and what was happening with him, also feeling hurt if you're wondering——and was rather...I guess disappointed. But I probably knew the answer anyway, finding out it just confirmed it more.

My mother died as one of the many COVID-19 victims in 2021.

I was still in Beijing when I found out, and asking Juno to dig more, I found the spot she was buried at. It was somewhere near the village I was born at. I first visited there, but couldn't recognize it anymore since most of the things had been reconstructed to better houses and some, even buildings. I went to the graveyard where she was buried.

Her gravestone only read her name, no quotes, no mother of anyone, no lovers, just that. Gray and blank, her name, date of birth and date of death. It was pitying. I stood in front of it, and unlike both the days of when Adele and Mary were buried, when it was raining, when I came to see this piece of stone, where underneath laid my birth mother, the weather was better than any I've ever seen; sunny and not a single cloud in sight. It was almost like god or some kind of spirit was mocking her.

I must've stayed there for at least an hour, if not more. I think I stayed that long in front of where her body laid below because it was becoming pretty clear to me that I might never come back. I didn't need to or want to. This wasn't my home or life anymore, and the person below my feet was someone I barely knew.

I thought I would've felt lost, since the whole reason I started fighting and punching to reach the top of the screen world was her. But no, I wasn't lost. And yes, maybe I did feel a little sad at one point, but if I had to say, it wasn't as bad as it could've been. Surprising enough, this person who gave birth to me, she felt more like a stranger I was paying my respects to. Not a mother.

If anything, Mary and Adele were more of a mother than she ever was.

CAMERON STILL WASN'T TALKING to me, and Mason, a few days ago I got a text from him that he was going to London for a business trip. I texted him some more after that—asking if he was okay and if he needed anything I was there—but he didn't respond.

I was still looking for that new house, and Juno helped me finish the rest of the real estate housing stuff, since Mason wasn't there and I had no exact idea where in London he was staying or else I would've flown over there myself. He was helping me unpack my things into this two floored modern house in Beverly Hills I bought, it was big, fancy, and the kind of house I wouldn't even dare myself to dream of when I was younger. But here it was, here, living, in front of me. Mine. Yet all I could think about was how my dearest friend is mad at me, and my best friend is breaking down and not reaching out to me so I could help him. And of course, the insane news of the Kong Industries being taken down and Klarise mysteriously gone. Rumors were that she was getting a divorce with Henry Zhou, but where was she? Was she alright? Was she safe?

"I think this must be the last one," Juno pats on a fat cardboard box, swiping beads of sweat off his forehead. "The moving people will arrive soon, then they'll unbox and help you set out the rest."

I nodded, taking a look around inside this house. Outside was a large pool I didn't think I even needed but was there. "Thank you, Juno, I don't know how many times me and Mason can thank you enough. You're too helpful."

He laughed, swatting a hand at me. "Nah, it's all fine. But if you really wanna thank me, I have a film coming up and you can do me the favor of starring in it."