During the entire ceremony, Elissa maintained a bowed head, graciously acknowledging each mourner who arrived to honor her grandfather’s memory. Hadley remained steadfast at her side, monitoring her emotional and physical state with careful attention.
Despite the exhausting length of the ceremony, Elissa endured every moment without faltering.
As mourners slowly departed one by one, peaceful silence settled over the venue.
Ernest, Eric, and the Holland family members had all moved outside to properly escort the departing guests.
Only Hadley and Elissa remained in the hushed room.
“Elissa…” Hadley’s voice carried gentle encouragement as she attempted to coax her friend toward rest.
Yet Elissa’s gaze remained locked on Addy’s photograph.
Through a voice barely above a whisper, thick with unshed tears, she murmured, “Grandpa… everyone has departed now. But don’t worry. I’ll remain here beside you till the end…”
Hadley chose not to disturb this sacred moment. Tears immediately gathered in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Her thoughts drifted back to Clare’s passing… she had experienced that same crushing, unbearable grief.
She had family members in this world, and the Flynn family had also opened their hearts to care for her. Yet without Clare’s presence, she had still felt completely and utterly isolated.
She kept her words carefully locked away, allowing Elissa this necessary solitude. As long as Elissa’s health remained stable, she deserved the freedom to do whatever brought her peace. Just as Elissa had spoken… this represented their final goodbye.
Yet something else also weighed heavily on Hadley’s mind. As she observed Elissa’s grief-stricken form, troubling doubts began creeping into her thoughts about Ernest and Elissa’s future together. Would Ernest’s unwavering persistence eventually bear fruit?
Addy’s sudden death had carved a profound wound deep within Elissa’s heart—a wound that might never fully mend.
? g?ν
Two long hours passed before Ernest and Eric finally returned. They discovered both women still keeping their vigil beside Addy’s casket. Their expressions darkened.
Ernest’s concern centered on Elissa’s pregnancy—her fragile condition might not withstand such prolonged physical strain.
Eric shared similar worries. Though Hadley wasn’t pregnant, maintaining such a rigid posture for hours would still take its toll on her body.
Without exchanging a single word, both men moved forward with determined steps.
“Elissa.” Ernest reached out his hand in a gentle gesture. “Please, you need to rest now. You’ve been standing far too long—this isn’t healthy for you.”
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