Chapter b131 /b

    Dominic was gone.

    When he took hisst breath, he was still holding his sons‘ hands tightly. He didn’t experience much pain. He didn’t even hear the cries of his family.

    All he heard was the sound of the live band at his wedding. In front of him was a long, red carpet.

    At the other end, his wife, still young and beautiful, stood there walling for him.

    “Tyler, Liam, I’ll be leaving..

    “Don’t be sad for me. I’ve been blessed throughout my life. If I could, I would’ve liked to stay a little longer, to make sure you all are well settled, so your futures would be easier.

    “But my time has run out. No one gets to live forever. The world is a wonderful ce, but your mother is waiting for me on the other side.

    “Julian, Willow, I don’t know what the future holds for you, but I hope you will both be well. Wealth and powere and go, but inner peace is life’s greatest treasure.

    “Dexter, you’ve always been a grandson I was proud of, but I won’t be able to wait for you toe home.

    “Life is full of regrets, but beyond that, it’s remembrance. Next time, when you visit my grave, tell me that you’ve made it home.

    At 10:20 pm, Dominic passed away.

    The

    er residence was filled with grief. A ck funeral ribbon was ced at the entrance of Dominic’s room, saying, “In loving memory of Dominic Ziegler.”

    Liam gathered the entire family for a moment of silence outside the bedroom.

    Everyone was in grief, but there were arrangements to be made. Liam and Julian stayed behind to receive visitors, while Tyler caught ast–minute flight to Tarrington, where Dexter was serving his sentence.

    As the eldest grandson in the family, someone had to tell him about Dominic’s passing.

    At 4:30 am, the first hint of sunlight shone across Tarrington.

    Dexter was in deep sleep when he heard a knock on his cell door. “Inmate 72, you have a visitor. They say it’s urgent.”

    Dexter rubbed his shaved head in a daze.

    He quickly put on his clothes and followed the guard to the visitation room. It was dim and narrow, with thick iron bars separating the inmates from the visitors.

    They had to talk through the iron bars between them.

    Tyler was dressed in ck. Under the dim lights, his expression was grim.

    Dexter sat down across from Tyler. When he saw his father’s attire and expression, his heart skipped a beat. “Dad, did something happen back home? Why are you here at this hour?”

    Tyler looked at Dexter in silence for a moment before finally speaking.

    “Your Grandpa is gone. The house is thrown into chaos, but no matter what, I had toe here to tell you myself.

    “Dexter, even at the very end, Grandpa had been thinking of you. Here’s a letter for you. I have to rush back to Brindley immediately to send him off.”

    Tyler choked up when speaking.

    It was difficult for him to meet with Dexter, but he couldn’t say migh. Furthermore, he wasn’t in the mood.

    Soon after, Tyler left in a hurry, just as quickly as he hade.

    Dexter sat frozen in the dim room.

    He could only watch as Tyler walked away, slowly digesting the news he had heard.

    After a while, the words finally sank in.

    His Grandpa was gone.

    Tears rolled down his cheeks, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

    He mmed his head against the iron bars repeatedly, his tears and saliva mixed as he screamed hoarsely, “Grandpa! I was wrong! I’m sorry!”

    Down the hall, Tyler wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

    All he hoped for was that Dexter could finally understand Dominic’s intentions.

    By 9:00 am, he had arrived back in Brindley, handling the funeral arrangements.

    Dominic had no daughters.

    After some discussion, the Zieglers decided to ask Willow to carry his portrait in the funeral procession. At first, they thought the Chapmans would disagree, after all, Willow was no longer rted to the Zieglers.

    Now, she had a different identity and was of high status.

    Sursingly, Laura was supportive of the decision. She said, “Dominic had his ws, but at least he had a heart. Since he has taken care of Willow for a few years, let her do it.”

    Heather added, “Just let her do what she needs for her own peace of mind.”

    And so, Willow stayed at the Ziegler residence, living in a guest room while assisting with the funeral.

    No one in the family objected, except for Karen.

    “Willow and Julian are divorced! Why is she handling Dad’s funeral? Other people will think that his daughters–inw aren’t doing their duties properly!”

    Tyler pointed at her and scolded, “Shut your mouth! All you ever do isin and talk nonsense. This is Dad’sst wish. He loved Willow like his own granddaughter. Just let her do whatever is needed!”

    Karen was too stunned to argue.