In mid–May, Mr. Jasper Sr. returned from his overseas trip to attend the funerals of Mrs. Jasper Sr. and James.

The service was held on May 17.

That day, the sky was overcast, heavy with leaden clouds. The air was thick and stifling.

About fifteen kilometers north of the Jasper estatey a private family cemetery. Generations of the Jasper family had been buried there. Rows of gravestones stood silently, like sentinels guarding the passage of time, bearing witness to lives long gone.

Two new headstones had just been cedb, /beach etched with the nameb, /bbirth date, and date of passing of the deceased.

Mourners dressed in ck moved quietly through the stillness, their faces solemn with grief.

The headstones were arranged one above the other, a reflection of their generational order. Around them were wreaths and bouquets of fresh flowers.

The service began. The minister’s voice was calm and solemn, leading everyone in prayer and remembrance.

Heads bowed. Silence fell.

Time seemed to slow, heavy with sorrow.

Finally, it was time to say goodbye.

One by one, the mourners stepped forward toy white lilies at the foot of the graves.

Despite the past tensions between their families, Desmond and Xena came to pay their respects. They each ced their flowers down and quietly offered condolences to the three members of the Jasper family standing nearby,

After the service endedb, /ba young woman in a ck dress, with a white flower pinned in her hairb, /bslowly approached.

“I’m so sorry for your lossb, /bMr. Jasper Sr. and Mrs. Gibson.b” /b

Mr. Jasper Sr. gave a small nod in response.

Lilian offered a faint smile. “Thank you foring, Megan.”

After greeting the elders, the woman turned her gaze toward the man standing off to the side. His face was expressionless, cold.

Her eyes softened as she looked at him. “Sean.”

Sean gave a slight nod, his voice polite but distant. “Thank you foring back for my father and grandmother’s funeral.”

Megan Stone looked at him quietly, a flicker of emotion in her eyes. “My condolences.”

Sean gave a short reply and turned his gaze away. It was clear he didn’t intend to continue the conversation.

Seeing this, Megan lowered her eyes. Hershes trembled slightly and she pressed her lips together without saying another word. She turned and walked away.

The mourners began to bleave/bb, /bone after another.

bSean’s /bbeyes /bswept the crowdb, /bbut the one face he had hoped to see was nowhere in sight. A flicker of disappointment bpassed /bthrough his beyes/b.

bThat /bembrace in the rain that night now bfelt /blike a dream- -so beautiful it seemed unreal.

Days had bpassed /bsince thenb, /bbut bhe /bcould still feel the warmth of Charlotte in his armis.

Charlotte was bstill /brecovering from bher /binjuriesb. /bbThe /bbdoctor /bbhad adused /bbher /bbto /bbavoid /bbwalking /bbtoo /bbmuch/bb. /b

???? o

She had wanted to attend the funeralb, /bbut Desmond wouldn’t allow it. So she stayed in the hospital as told.

During the day, she sent a message to Lena.

Mia hadn’t attended the funeral either. On the day James jumped, she had been so traumatized that she had nightmares every night and often woke up screaming. For now, she was staying home and undergoing therapy.

Every few days, Charlotte would call to check on her. Each time, it was Ian who answered the phone. He would say Mia’s mental state still wasn’t great.

After the funeral, Lena called Charlotte back.

“Hey, Lottie, the funeral’s over,” Lena said quietly as she walked toward the bcar/b, keeping her voice low.

She knew Charlotte had called because she was concerned about Sean. In a softer bvoice/bb, /bLena added, “From what bI /bcould tell, Sean seemedposed. Nothing unusual. You don’t need to worry

Charlotte let out a small breath of relief. “That’s good to hear.”

Lena chatted with her for a few more moments, but as she looked upb, /bher steps suddenly slowed.

Her voice cut off mid–sentence. The words stuck in her throat.

Just ahead of her, a familiar face had appeared.

Megan was already standing in front of her, smiling politely. “Lenab. /bIt’s been a while.”

“Lena? What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked on the other end, confused by the sudden silence.

“I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll call you backter,” Lena replied quickly.

“Okay.”

She ended the call and met Megan’s gaze. “It’s been a while.”