The funeral was held four days later in Juneau.

It was heavily attended by her school colleagues, the principal, and dozens of sobbing parents whose children she had taught.

Greg did not show up. But Chloe did.

She arrived alone, standing at the very back of the church. She wore plain black clothing, no makeup, and looked entirely wrecked—a stark contrast to the glossy, tanned woman in the Bahamas photos.

She approached me only after the service ended and the crowd began to disperse.

“Mrs. Hayes,” Chloe said, her voice shaking violently. “I’m so, so sorry.”