His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 817

On the day of Lily's funeral, the sky, after days of sullen grey, opened up into a vast expanse of blue.

In the solemn stillness of the cemetery, before Lily's gravestone stood Jareth, his usually brilliant eyes now dimmed, as he tenderly laid a bouquet of pure daisies on her resting place.

Beside the stone lay a broken angel pendant, a testament to memories past.

One by one, the Abernathys, Cassius and Chasel, Arnold and Camille, Jason and Nydia, Aaron, and Elvis, along with Dean, stepped forward to offer flowers and their condolences.

The women were silently shedding tears, while the men, though steeped in sorrow, were trying to restrain their emotions, comforting their partners.

Only Aaron, a detective seasoned by life's many dramas, had red-rimmed eyes from the moment he arrived, his gaze shimmering with unshed tears.

He had only met Lily a few times, but each encounter left a deep impression, especially their last at the amusement park.

Before, he had thought her to be aloof and reserved, but that day, he discovered she was also playful and full of laughter.

Aaron's mind replayed the scene where Lily, dressed in a pink bunny costume, had rested on his shoulder, jokingly demanding photos.

Suddenly, he could no longer hold back. He bowed his head deeply, his fingertips trembled as they swiftly wiped away a tear.

He had yet to send her those pictures.

And now, there would never be a chance.

"Rest in peace, Lily," he whispered softly.

Jareth's gaze lingered on the photograph atop the grave, where Lily's face smiled back, radiant and serene. His heart felt shattered, scattered by the breeze that whispered through the graves.

"In the next life, I hope to meet you again. Next time it'll be my turn to protect you."

The inscription on the gravestone read with elegant simplicity: "The world's dearest Lily Fairhaven."

The Abernathys' expressions shifted subtly, especially Thaddeus, whose handsome face darkened, his grip on his wife's hand tightening.

"Ah... ah... I..." Marilla's tiny hand twitched within his warm palm, her lips parting to utter these simple sounds.

"Marilla, you wanted to see Lily, didn’t you?" Jareth asked gently.

She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Jareth pushed her wheelchair toward the grave.

As they passed Aaron, he closed his eyes in pain and restraint. Even now, his feelings for Marilla remained unchanged; love was love, and that couldn't be altered. But he knew he was unworthy of such a wonderful girl.

If only he had stayed with Marilla at the amusement park, if only he hadn't been negligent for that one second, maybe things would have been different. Marilla wouldn't have been kidnapped, and Lily...

Elvis stood at the edge of the crowd, his face etched with sorrow. Then, his gaze caught a figure in black standing silently among the distant trees, her presence hauntingly beautiful.