Chapter 385 The Farewell
H
Finished
Sayer stood by Virginia’s door, zipping up his jacket. “Clyde’s flight’s at dawn. I’ll drive him there myself.”
Aella reached out and tugged the zipper to the top. “Mr. Locke, thank you.”
Sayer gave her a look. “He’s my brother too. Don’t thank me. I’m leaving.”
After he left, Aella headed for the kitchen.
She made a small pot of warm rejuvenating grits, soft and rich. She coaxed Virginia to eat a few bites, then scooped another bowl and carried it to Raine.
Downstairs, in the quiet side hall, Raine sat on the couch, her face pale and her eyes empty.
Aella hesitated, unsure how to speak.
After a moment, she said softly, “You still have a lot to handle tomorrow. Eat something. You need strength for what’s ahead.”
Raine didn’t take the bowl. Her red eyes filled again. “Tomorrow’s the funeral. Are you going to see Tyrone one last time?”
Their eyes met.
Aella shook her head.
Raine turned away without another word.
Aella set the bowl on the table and glanced at Brad before quietly walking out.
The dead were gone.
Whether she saw him again or not didn’t matter anymore.
When Aella left, Raine broke down. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. “If Tyrone’s up there watching, she’s the only one he’d want to see.”
Brad guided her to sit, kneeling to slip off her wet shoes.
Raine clutched his arm, crying so hard her words came out in gasps.
“Brad, you know what he was like. My brother, my dad, my grandpa–they all had that same damn temper.”
14:13 Tue, Nov 4
Chapter 385. The Farewell
Finished
Her voice trembled. “Tyrone used to threaten me every time I messed up. He’d say he’d freeze my cards, stop my allowance, or ship me out of the country. But he never did it. He just wanted to scare me. That was how he showed love.”
Her sobs grew heavier. “He treated Aella the same way. Yeah, he hurt her. But deep down, all he wanted was to keep her close. He didn’t mean to destroy her.”
Her voice cracked again. “I get why she won’t forgive him. But he’s gone now. Why can’t she look at him one last time?”
Brad pulled her into his arms, his hand steady against her back.
He spoke quietly. “Raine, Aella and Tyrone were done long before this. She’s only here for you and Virginia. It’s not about him anymore.”
The words stung, but they were true.
Raine’s crying slowed. The pain stayed carved in her face. Deep down, she already knew Brad was right.
At dawn, the sky turned gray, and the first rain of winter began to fall.
The drizzle wasn’t heavy, but it soaked everything it touched.
By morning, the Winter estate was crowded with mourners.
Two hours later, Brad called. It was time for the burial. Time for us to go.
Virginia didn’t cry. Her eyes were empty, but grief hung in the air like thunder that never struck.
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: From Discarded Wife to Queen (Tyrone)