BuzzNovelThe sky on Jade's funeral day was oppressively gray, the kind of heavy gloom that settled over everything. Cole
stood at the front, holding her ashes, his lips pressed in a hard line and his face unreadable. On either side of
him stood Xander and Alessia, silent and solemn.
Neither Jade nor Parrish had much family left, so the funeral was small. The only one who could be called a
relative was Xander, who stood there in a black suit, leaning on his cane, his clouded eyes full of sorrow. Jade
and Parrish had been like his own children-losing them both was a blow no parent should ever have to
face.
Six Dawson hovered protectively behind him. Usually, Six had the careless air of a teenager, but today, dressed
in a suit, he seemed older, more serious, his features set in a maturity brought on by grief.
Stella and Justin stood farther back, along with a handful of old friends, people who had helped Cole through the
hardest days at The Whitley Group. They were the kind of friends you only found in the darkest times.
A few raindrops began to fall, quickening into a steady patter. Black umbrellas opened one by one, spreading like
somber flowers beneath the rain, deepening the suffocating hush.
Alessia tilted her umbrella to shield Cole, standing with him as he saw the last rites through to the end.
Afterward, thanks to Stella and Justin staying behind to help usher out the guests, Cole and Alessia were spared
the awkwardness of trying to manage polite smiles for everyone’s condolences.
“Lessie, you haven't slept in days, have you?” Stella's voice was thick with concern.
“Doa favor and tell Pierce I'm sorry | missed the final match,” Alessia rasped.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is hardly the tto worry about that... but I'll let him know. Seriously, go get some
rest. I'll handle the rest here.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Alessia shook her head. “Letdo it.”
Her voice was raw, barely holding together. Stella’s eyes burned with tears, but she didn’t argue.
Justin stayed with Cole, seeing off the last of the guests. Normally impatient and brusque, Justin was
unexpectedly steady, offering quiet thanks and polite
123515
Chapter 239
reassurances to each mourner. Because of him, Cole only needed to stand at the door and bow, numbly, over
and over.
He stood there, eyes unfocused, face blank.
Xander, with Six’s help, made his way from inside.
“Cole,” Six said quietly.
“You've grown taller,” Cole managed a thin smile, ruffling Six’s hair. His voice was rough, nothing like his usual
self.
“My condolences,” Six said softly. In the face of loss, words always seemed so hollow.
Cole just patted his shoulder. “Take care of Mr. Dawson, all right? I'll cvisit you
both soon.”
Six nodded. Xander looked at Cole with aching sympathy.
“Your mother knew that even if she woke up, she’d spend the rest of her life in a
wheelchair. She-"
“l know, Mr. Dawson. My mom was
stuck in that hosp ie for two
oR begauseé 6F re. Maybe... maybe
this is a kind of relief.” The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Cole tried to smile, but it looked like he might fall apart at any moment.
Xander had nothing left to say. With Six supporting him, he left.
Night fell, and the house was finally empty.
Neither Cole nor Alessia had eaten
more than a few bites all day. The,
house felt cayernQUs, Eonding with
ED Ae wandered through
the rooms with a bag of bread and a
bottle of water, searching for Cole.
She noticed the garden lights were still on. Hesitantly, she called his name, but got
no answer.
When she stepped outside, she found
him curled up on the qagden swing,
Ye Cioteo Bes trembling, a tear
tracing its way down his cheek. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
The swing rocked gently, as if trying to comfort him, lulling his exhausted, grieving body.
Alessia approached quietly and slid onto the swing beside him. It was just big enough for two.
212
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
