Chapter 68
Chapter 06.2: Unraveled Lies Part Two
Fear is something you really have no control over
If not for Gavin’s occasional whispers reavuring me that we were safe and that nothing like that would happen again, I wouldn’t have been able to stay here in an open space with my children.
I couldn’t even focus on the funeral rites taking place right now. I held Rylie and Ryker close to me, afraid they would be gone the moment I let go.
vere surrounded not just by the Winslows security detail. I didn’t see Liam, but I knew he and his men were there,
I knew we were
Rylic tugged at my dress, pulling me from my thoughts. I leaned down to her.
“Mommy” she whispered. “Why is Eunice inside that bo
“That’s called a casket, baby, I told her gently. “It’s where Eunice is resting now.”
Rylie frowned, confusion clouding her big eyes. “But why does she have to rest made a box! She won’t be able to move.”
forced a small, sad smile. “Her body was tired, sweetheart,” explained. “She’s not hurting anymore. Remember what we talked about? About how she’s not really gone! She’s just turning into something new.
Kylie bit her lip, nodding slowly, but her gaze drifted to the front of the crowd, where Eunice’s mother stood by the casket, her entire body shaking with uncontrollable sols.
This is your fault” Eunice’s mother screamed, slapping her husband’s chest. “You should’ve been there! You should’ve-“Her voice broke, and she collapsed against the casket, her sobs wracking her entire body.
Eunice’s father just stood there, his expression carved with devastation as if every word she threw at him was something he had already told himself over and over again. He didn’t fight back
ng in that
As he should–because Elise was mourning, and all he should do was to understand his wife. My throat tightened, the thought creeping maybe I had some connection to the bombing incident that happened
Rylie’s fingers curled tighter into my coat. “Mommy why does Eunice’s mommy blame her daddy?”
I blinked against the sting in my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. How could I explain something like this to a child!
1 smoothed a hand over her hair, my voice soft but steady. “Sometimes, when people are really, really sad, they don’t know what to do with all the feelings inside them I told her. “And sometimes, that sadness turns into anger. They look for someone to blame because it hurts too much to accept that some things–just happen.”
Those words stirred something in my memory–something I quickly brushed off, telling myself it was different.
Ryle frowned. “But that’s hot nice,”
“No,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “It’s not. But all we can do is try to understand Eunice’s mother”
She nodded, her gaze drifting back to the grieving couple, watching as more relatives stepped in, trying to pull Eunice’s mother away from the casket, trying to calm her down. But her wails only grew louder.
ing her lips.
“Eunice wouldn’t want them to fight,” Rylie said softly, pouting
“I know, sweetheart. She wouldn’t. But things will get better soon, and they’ll stop fighting.”
Grief has a way of breaking people, of breaking relationships.
And sometimes, when something shatters, it can never be put back together
r the same way.
“We have to say goodbye now, Kylie,” I whispered to my daughter as the prayer for Eunice ended, and they began lowering her casket
Kylie looked up at me, holding the white lilies the had brought for Eunice and the letter she had written. “Mounty Eunice won’t be scared, right?”
“No, sweetheart, she’s not scared anymore. She’s at peace now
She nodded, and so I held their hands and stepped forward, 1 approached Elise, offering my condolences.
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Chapter 68
“Mommy” Can I read my letter to Eunice here?” Rylie asked as she placed the white lilies beside Ryker’s
I looked at Elise. Tears welled in her eyes, then she nodded at Rylie. “I–Im sure Eunice would love to hear your letter, Rylie
A hush fell over the crowd as Rylie began to read.
“Dear Eunice.
I don’t know how to say goodbye to you. I don’t want to. But they said I have to because you won’t come back. Mommy said you’re not really gone and will always be in our hearts. Still, I’m sad I don’t like that you’re not here anymore. I wanted us to play, and I wanted to see your new dollhouse. I wanted to hear your secrets and share mine, too
Rytir paused, breathing as her tears dripped onto the paper.
y there. But I miss you
M–Mommy said you’re in a beautiful place now, where there’s no pain and no crying. I hope that’s true. I hope you’re happy t already. I miss you so much”
She hiccupped, but my brave daughter continued.
“You were my best friend. Eunice. You still are. And I promise I won’t forget you. I always love you. I hope you’re listening. Goodbye, for now, my
Love, Rylie
A deep, aching silence followed.
Then, without a word. Rylie carefully folded the letter, stepped forward, and placed it gently on the flowers resting over the casket
Else let out a soft, broken sob. She reached out and pulled Rylie into her arms, hugging her tightly as if trying to absorb the warmth and innocence her own daughter had left behind
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Elise whispered, her voice raw with grief. “She would have loved that
much she whispered.
Rylie buried her face in Elise’s shoulder. “I love her so much” she
Elise’s hands trembled as the cradled Rylie, her body shaking with silent sobs.
As we said our goodbyes, I watched Elise hug Rylie one last time.
“Thope you’ll let the twins visit
it me,” she said softly
I nodded. “Of course, Elise. We’ll visit soon,
Her lips trembled “T–Thank you”
Her husband, Bryan, reached out to comfort her, but she brushed his hands off her shoulder and began walking away. He turned to us, his solemn gaze filled with grief.
“Thank you for bringing Eunice’s friends here”
“My condolences.”
He nodded and gently tapped.
Rylie and Hyker’s heads before following his wife.
As I lifted my gaze, my eyes met Lum’s.
I knew he would follow us here, but seeing him now made my heart pound faster. His words echoed in my mind that he would never leave us
alone.
He looked at us as if he was seconds away from closing the distance, from taking us into his arms.
Before I realized it, my hands tightened around Rylie’s and Ryker’s small Engers.
A sharp gap broke through
my
“Mommy-!” Rylie whimpered, wriggling her fingers in my grasp.
“Mommy, it hurts, Ryker cried, trying to pull away.
I jolted back to reality, my eyes widening as I loosened my grip.
I’m sorry, Rylie, Ryker… Mommy’s sorry,” I whispered as I crouched down and hugged them.
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2.04 PM DO
Chapter 68
When I looked up again. Liam was.
there.
His eyes had softened now–so different from the cold, unreadable expression he had worn just moments ago.
