Chapter 107: The Funeral

Emerald’s POV

"We have examined the body extensively. At this stage, we have not been able to establish a definitive cause for the condition in which he was found," the chief detective explained.

"And his death?" Dad asked.

Then, he shook his head. "The investigation is still ongoing."

Grandfather’s fingers tightened around the head of his walking stick.

"Unfortunately, there were no CCTV cameras covering the location where the body was discovered," the detective finished.

One of the Aunties inquired, "Then how was he found?"

"A civilian discovered the body and contacted the police."

Dad leaned forward. "Is the Park family aware of this?"

"Yes." The detective paused. "We are actually coming from the Park residence. We informed them that their son had been found."

The room fell silent again.

Uncle Uncle Dante finally spoke. His voice was low "So, it is confirmed?" He stared at the detective. "That Lawrence killed my daughter?"

The detective exhaled slowly. "Given the evidence currently available to us, there is no other reasonable possibility we can establish at this time."

Uncle Uncle Dante’s expression hardened.

The detective continued. "Mr. Park was the last known person with your daughter. His fingerprints were found around her neck; he disappeared immediately afterwards, and we were unable to locate him until his body was discovered."

I lowered my gaze.

---

After the meeting ended and the detectives left, I returned to my bedroom, closing the door behind me.

I walked toward the bed and sat down. My mind was tired, but sleep did not seem particularly close.

There had been too much information to absorb over the past few days, and every time I thought I had understood what had happened, something else complicated it.

First was Vera’s death. Then Lawrence being found dead.

I looked at my phone on the bedside table and picked it up. As soon as I unlocked it, I saw Michael’s message waiting.

Michael:How are you holding up?

I stared at the message for a moment before answering.

Me:I’m tired. It’s been a long day.

His reply came shortly afterwards.

Michael:I can imagine. Are you safe at the house?

I frowned slightly. Something about the question caught my attention.

The old Hugo residence was one of the most secure places I had ever known.

There were family security personnel around the property, and with everyone gathered here, I could hardly imagine anyone getting close to me without being noticed.

So, what did he mean?

Me:Yes. I’m fine. I’m at the old house with everyone.

The typing indicator appeared almost immediately.

Michael:Good.

I thought for a moment before deciding to inform him about Lawrence’s death.

Me:The detectives came back today. Lawrence is dead.

I paused before adding another message.

Me:The police don’t know what happened to him. His body was found in a terrible condition, and even the investigators don’t seem to understand it.

Michael did not reply immediately this time. I watched the screen for a while before his message finally appeared.

Michael:That must have been difficult for your family.

I read it twice.

Me:It was.

I didn’t have anything more to add about it, and he didn’t request any additional explanation.

A few moments later, another message appeared.

Michael:Try to get some rest tonight, Emerald. Tomorrow won’t be easy.

I stared hard at those words. He was right. Tomorrow was Vera’s funeral.

I typed my response.

Me:I will try.

His reply was simple.

Michael:Goodnight, Emerald.

A small smile touched my lips.

Me:Goodnight, Michael.

I placed the phone beside me and leaned back against the headboard. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about nothing in particular.

Tomorrow, I would stand with my family and watch my cousin be buried.

I still found it difficult to accept.

Vera had been alive only a few weeks ago. She had gotten married, and whatever plans she had made for her life had simply ended.

Now there would be a funeral.

I turned off the bedside lamp and pulled the blanket over myself. I closed my eyes.

Tomorrow would come whether I was ready for it or not.

═════ ❖ 🐺 ❖ ═════

The following morning, the Hugo family left the old family residence shortly after breakfast.

Our cars travelled together through Washington, D.C., until we arrived at the private chapel where Vera’s funeral service was being held.

The chapel was quiet when we arrived. There were no reporters outside, no crowd of mourners, and no curious onlookers.

Grandfather had made it clear that Vera’s funeral would remain a private family affair, and the arrangements had been made accordingly.

When our cars stopped, I stepped out and adjusted my black dress.

Grandfather’s car had stopped ahead of ours. He emerged with his walking stick, followed by my parents and the rest of the family.

Everyone was dressed in black.

I looked around the quiet grounds before following them toward the chapel.

The atmosphere was subdued. Nobody spoke much. There was little to say on a day like this.

Inside, the atmosphere was even heavier. Vera’s coffin stood at the front of the chapel, surrounded by flowers.

I stopped briefly when I saw it. It was strange seeing her name displayed there.

Vera Hugo.

A name I had heard countless times throughout my life. A cousin I had never been particularly close to. A woman who had never hidden the fact that she did not like me.

Yet today, none of that seemed important. She was dead.

I lowered my gaze and continued walking.

I found my seat beside Giovanni while the rest of the family settled around us.

Uncle Dante sat closest to the coffin. He had barely spoken since we arrived.

His wife sat beside him, holding herself together with visible effort. Every now and then, her eyes drifted toward the coffin, and I could see the pain she was trying not to show.

The priest approached the altar and began the funeral service.

His voice was calm as he spoke about life, death, family, and the uncertainty of the time given to each person.

I listened quietly.

There were no unnecessary speeches from the family. My grandfather had wanted the funeral handled with dignity, and that was exactly how it was being conducted.

When the priest spoke Vera’s name, something tightened inside me.

I looked toward the coffin. It was still difficult to reconcile what I was seeing with the reality of what had happened.

Now, the family was gathered around Vera’s coffin.

My thoughts wandered briefly to the last time I had seen her. No matter the distance between us, I had never wished anything bad for her.

Death had a way of making certain differences seem insignificant.

The priest continued speaking.

I looked towards Uncle Dante again. His eyes were fixed on the coffin. I lowered my gaze. I could not imagine what it meant to lose a daughter.

A few seats away, one of my aunts quietly wiped her eyes.

Giovanni moved closer without a word and gently took my hand. I let her take it. Her fingers tightened around mine. I squeezed them gently in return.

The service continued for several more minutes before the priest finally asked the family to stand for the final prayers.

Everyone rose. I stood with them.

The chapel became completely silent as the prayer began. When it ended, the pallbearers moved toward the coffin.

The family stepped aside as they carried Vera out. I followed with everyone else.

Outside, the morning air felt cooler than it had earlier.

The coffin was placed into the waiting hearse before the family made their way toward the cemetery.

The burial grounds were quiet and secluded.

We stood around the grave as the coffin was brought forward. Uncle Dante stood at the front. His shoulders were rigid. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The priest began the final prayers. This time, I found it harder to keep my emotions under control.

I stared at the coffin. Vera was gone. And whatever disagreements had existed between us had ended with her.

There would never be another argument, another unpleasant exchange, or another opportunity for either of us to say something we regretted.

There would simply be silence.

A tear escaped before I realised my eyes had filled. I quickly wiped it away.

The priest finished the prayer. The pallbearers began lowering the coffin into the grave.

Uncle Dante’s wife broke down quietly beside him. One of my aunts put an arm around her.

Giovanni lowered her head. Anthony stood beside her, his expression unusually solemn.

I glanced at Grandfather. He stood several feet away, leaning on his walking stick. His face remained composed.

I knew Vera had been his favourite granddaughter. Yet he showed no outward sign of losing control.

That was Grandfather Hugo.

Whatever he felt, he kept it behind the same stern expression he had worn for as long as I could remember.

The coffin disappeared beneath the ground.

The priest said one final prayer, then placed the first handful of soil over the grave.

After several minutes, Grandfather turned away. The rest of us followed.

As I walked back toward the cars, I looked over my shoulder once. The grave was already being attended to by the cemetery workers.

I turned away.

Vera’s funeral might be over, but the mystery surrounding her death had not ended with her burial.