Chapter 141
Before Ellie’s eyes, a sea of mourners dressed in black surrounded her. Some were weeping, some were lamenting, and some were offering comfort.
“Ellic, your dad’s ashes are here. You need to greet him,” urged a distant relative. But she felt as if her feet were stuck to the ground, unable to move
or cry.
With her eyes stinging and swollen, she looked into the distance, seeing the relatives crying around her dad’s urn. Their cries cut through the air, bringing shared sorrow even to the ones who weren’t related.
Aaron came near, holding Harold’s urn, and said, “Dad, we’re home. Each step he took toward Ellie made her heart shudder and her breath catch.
Lacey and Diana stood beside Ellie, quietly supporting her. In just two days, grief had deeply etched itself into Aaron’s face, making him look almost unrecognizable. He stopped in front of Ellie.
“Aaron, please don’t wait. Bring your dad inside,” the officiant urged. But Aaron didn’t move.
With a hoarse whisper, Ellie pleaded, “Aaron, can I hold him for a moment?” Her voice quivered, filled with pain.
“Ellie, don’t hold up the ceremony; we have a lot to do.” the officiant insisted.
Ellie’s lips trembled, her dry eyes locked on Aaron. “Aaron, I need a hug.”
Without a word, Aaron freed one arm and gently wrapped it around his sister, who clung tightly to Harold’s urn.
The urn felt warm against her, like her dad’s embrace. In her mind, she imagined him standing in the wheat field, smiling and beckoning her, saying, “Little Ellie, come here. Let Daddy hold you.”
On the sunlit path through the fields, a strong farmer lifted his young daughter onto his shoulders, filling the air with their happy laughter.
Ever since Harold had hurt his leg, no one had lifted her like that.
In the years that followed, each time she visited, Harold would lean on his crutch by the door, looking for her. On the day she left, he would walk her to the station, saying over and over, “You should head back.”
Every time she turned to leave, her dad, leaning on his crutch, would stand there, his eyes showing he didn’t want to let go.
From now on, her dad could no longer walk her to the station or wave goodbye with his usual words.
Aaron held his crying sister tightly, her body shaking like a leaf in the wind, and declared, “Maybe this is a kind of freedom for dad.”
The officiant called two relatives to gently pull Ellie away, but she held on tightly to Harold’s ashes, her head buried in Aaron’s shoulder, refusing to let go.
In desperation, the officiant asked for Joanna to come.
“Ellie, please listen.” When Joanna spoke, Ellie lifted her head. Joanna stood a little way off, looking older than her years due to the events of the past few days. Ellie felt a sharp pain in her heart and let go.
As she watched her brother carry Harold’s ashes toward the house, every time he said, “Dad, we’re home,” felt like a dagger stabbing her heart–cold and painful.
Her vision began to blur, leaving only a shadow of Harold. “Ellie!” Just as she started to faint, Lacey and Diana caught her.
“Here,” Diana said, finding Aaron and handing him her phone. When he took it, worried voices on the other end brought him to the edge of tears again.
After the call, Aaron handed Diana a pair of flat shoes. “I’m sorry for making you wear my mother’s shoes, but these will be more comfortable than
heels.”
Diana quickly changed, and Aaron brought her a warm coat, which she also put on right away.
Aaron said, “I have too much to deal with now. If you’re hungry, find something to eat yourself. Just keep a close eye on my sister.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of Ellie and your mom,” Diana replied.
Aaron put Diana’s high heels away properly. Ellie regained her senses and saw her mother watching over her, tears breaking her calm.
Holding Joanna’s hand, Ellie choked back her sobs and quietly asked, “Mom, how did dad…?”
“Don’t ask anything. Just send your dad off well,” Joanna interrupted, her calmness hiding deep sorrow. Ellie nodded obediently.
Someone announced, “Mrs. Thompson, the Warren family is here.”
Todd and Nancy had come with Alex. After Todd and Nancy offered their condolences, Alex stepped forward. Looking at Harold’s portrait and the small urn, he suddenly knelt down with a loud thud.
Aaron was shocked by Alex’s unexpected action. Whispers quickly spread among the crowd.
“Who is he, and why did he kneel?”
“I think I’ve seen him before; isn’t he Ellie’s fiancé?”
“Why hasn’t Harold mentioned him?”
Alex’s parents looked worried as they focused on Harold’s picture, their eyes showing a deep guilt. Aaron noticed that Alex stayed on his knees, tension radiating from him.
The officiant quickly gestured for someone to help Alex up, but he pushed away those who tried to assist him, bowing deeply before Harold. “Alex, there’s no need for such grand gestures; my dad can’t handle it.” Aaron said, his voice heavy with unresolved issues about Alex’s past disrespect toward his family.
Alex met Aaron’s gaze, his eyes red and filled with emotion, unable to form words.
He remained kneeling before Harold’s image; the crowd surrounded him, whispering in curiosity, while Joanna and Ellie stayed apart. “Layton” Lacey pulled Layton to the entrance. “What is happening?”
Diana asked, “Is Alex treating Harold like his father?”
Layton replied, “Pretty much.”
Lacey and Diana gasped together. “What?”
Layton continued, “The one who saved Alex was Ellie, not Haley; and the one who can no longer have children is also Ellie. Harold lost his leg trying to save her, and Alex was visiting Thompson family the day Harold had his accident.
“The circumstances of Harold’s death and how Ellie saved Alex are still secrets, hidden by both families. The truth will be revealed after Harold is
buried.
