Even in her final monts...
all Nana was worried about was .
Fresh tears threatened to spill from my eyes again.
But after a few seconds, I slowly took a deep breath and looked upward.
A weak smile appeared on my lips.
Nana had made promise not to cry too much.
And even though it hurt so badly...
I wanted to keep that promise.
After lying there for what felt like hours, I finally forced myself to get up.
I freshened up before calling Alexander.
I tried convincing him to simply send Jim instead, but he insisted on coming personally.
Even after arriving, he made sure I ate lunch first.
Then he carried into the car while Jim silently drove us toward our destination.
There were very few places I hated more than the funeral ho.
Because it reminded of every loved one I had already lost.
And now...
I was here once again.
This ti, for the last person who had ever truly cared for —not simply because I grew up around their family...
but because she genuinely loved as her own.
As we approached the funeral ho, Alexander gently held my hand.
"Nadia already arrived earlier," he said softly. "Once we’re inside, stay close to her and don’t worry about anything else, alright?"
"Mm," I replied quietly.
Nadia was already waiting near the entrance.
The mont she saw us, she imdiately walked over.
"I’ll take care of Alicia," she told Alexander as she reached for my wheelchair. "You should go handle everything else."
"Thank you, Nadia."
Alexander crouched slightly beside again before speaking softly,
"If you feel uncomfortable or tired, don’t force yourself. Call imdiately, alright?"
"I’ll be nearby."
The funeral preparations were still ongoing around us.
"Got it," I replied quietly.
After giving one last glance, Alexander finally turned and walked away.
Nadia slowly pushed my wheelchair toward the lounge area.
The mont she noticed my swollen eyes, her expression softened.
"Alicia," she sighed gently, "don’t let this destroy you too much. Everyone eventually leaves soday. Grandma wouldn’t want to see you this devastated."
"I know..."
My voice trembled weakly.
"It’s just..."
I lowered my head slightly.
"I miss Grandma so much."
Nadia sighed quietly.
"Alexander originally wanted to keep everything from you for a little longer," she admitted. "But once the dia found out, it beca impossible to control."
Her expression turned helpless.
"He was furious this morning. A reporter tried taking photos at the hospital and Alexander smashed the cara on the spot."
A faint ache spread through my chest.
That really did sound like Alexander.
Grandma’s death hurt him just as deeply as it hurt .
And the dia’s intrusion had probably only made everything worse.
"Sothing this serious..." I murmured quietly. "How could he possibly hide it from ? He should’ve told the truth once Grandma was admitted."
"He only wanted to protect you," Nadia said softly.
Then she gently pushed the wheelchair forward again.
"Aunt Jane and Alia are already waiting in the lounge. Let’s go."
When we arrived, Aunt Jane imdiately stood the mont she saw .
"Alicia..."
The mont she held my hand, my eyes instantly reddened again.
"Aunty..." My voice broke.
She sighed deeply before gently patting my hand.
"You poor child."
Then her brows furrowed with concern.
"Why did you co here in your condition?"
"I needed to see Grandma..." I whispered shakily. "One last ti."
Aunt Jane’s eyes softened imdiately.
"You’re such a good girl," she murmured gently. "But once you’ve said goodbye, you should go ho and rest. Your grandmother wouldn’t want you exhausting yourself like this."
Traditionally, the deceased would remain at the funeral ho for two days before burial so family mbers could properly mourn.
I slowly shook my head.
"Please don’t worry about , Aunty. I’ll be fine."
The Blackwood family cetery was located deep in the mountains.
Because of my condition, I wouldn’t be allowed to attend the burial.
I wouldn’t get to watch Nana being laid to rest with my own eyes.
So this...
was my only chance to stay beside her a little longer.
Nadia, Aunt Jane, and several relatives all tried persuading to go ho and rest.
But I remained stubbornly firm.
After so ti, Alexander finally ca to check on .
Even he tried convincing .
But after realizing he couldn’t change my mind, he simply sighed helplessly and asked Nadia to stay close to .
Later, Grandma’s body was moved into a private room for the family.
I quietly stared at her familiar face.
She looked exactly the sa as always.
Peaceful.
As though she were only asleep.
But my Nana...
would never wake up again.
The thought hit so suddenly my vision blurred once more.
Tears gathered in my eyes imdiately.
But rembering my promise, I quickly shook my head and looked upward.
"Nana," I whispered weakly, forcing a small smile, "I know you’re watching over now."
"I’m not crying anymore."
"Just like I promised you."
And suddenly, mories began flooding my mind one after another.
The way she used to cook all my favorite als.
The way she stayed beside after my father died, comforting even while grieving Grandpa herself.
The way she always protected quietly.
A painful ache spread through my chest.
Because now...
who was going to comfort like that anymore?
Third-Person POV
Two days later, Roseline Blackwood’s morial service was held.
The entire funeral hall was filled with white flowers.
Long aisles stretched beneath soft mourning lights while wreaths and condolence ssages lined both sides of the room.
The atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
Nearly every mber of the Blackwood family had arrived.
The social elite of Velaridge City also ca in large numbers, along with several influential political figures, all dressed in black as they offered their condolences.
Luxury cars continuously arrived outside the funeral ho throughout the day.
But beneath the grief and mourning...
there was sothing else lingering quietly in the air.
Calculation.
After paying their respects to Roseline, many guests quickly approached Alexander and Steve Blackwood under the guise of concern.
So small business owners attempted to use the opportunity to build connections and gain favors.
anwhile, the board mbers of Blackwood Dominion offered their condolences with solemn expressions while subtly trying to gather information from Alexander.
After all...
Roseline Blackwood had held the majority shares of Blackwood Dominion Enterprises.
Now that she was gone—
soone would inevitably take control.
And everyone present wanted to know who that person would be.
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