Chapter 1017

Chapter 1017Natalie felt slightly ticklish but didn't push him away. “All right, then.”
She shut her eyes and yawned wearily.
Seeing that, Shane asked, “Feeling tired?”
“Yeah. I've been busy attending to Harrison's matters these few days and haven't been getting much
rest.” Natalie's voice sounded worn out.
Shane patted her back. “Go ahead and get some sleep, then. I'll be right here, keeping you company.”
“Okay.” A smile graced her lips. She soon fell asleep, her arms still wrapped around his waist.
Seeing that she was fast asleep, Shane scooped her into his arms and tucked her into bed.
The next day was Susan's execution day, as well as the day of Harrison's funeral.
The weather was rather gloomy, creating an unsettling and depressive atmosphere.
Clad in a long black dress with a white rose pinned to her chest, Natalie stood before the break room
window with a glass of juice in her hand, watching the funeral guests with a calm gaze.
“Nat,” came Jared's voice from behind her.
She spun around. “What's up?”
“Shane asked me to see what you're up to,” Jared answered with a smile.
Like her, he was dressed in all black with a similar white rose pinned on his front pocket. Even though
his lips were curved into a smile, his eyes were red and teary.
“Nothing. Just gazing at the crowd here. What about him?” she asked, sipping her fruit juice.Jared massaged his aching neck and responded, “The kids are with him, and he's caught up in a
discussion with a collaborator, so he asked me to come for you. It's about time, Nat. Harrison's—I
mean, Dad's—ashes should be loaded by now. It's about time we head to the mausoleum.”
Natalie glanced at her watch and saw that it was indeed time to leave. “Sure, let's go.”
Jared nodded. “I'll let the others know.”
With that, he went out.
A moment later, Shane came in with the children.
Natalie knew they had come for her and went to them with a smile.
“Have you been crying?” asked Shane in a low voice when he noticed her slightly reddened eyes.
Natalie shook her head. “No, I haven't cried, although I do feel quite sad.”
The two children had not shed a tear either.
They were never close with their grandfather and thus did not feel so grieved that they wanted to cry.
The same went for Shane.
“Come on, let's get into the car.” Shane pulled Natalie's hand.
She nodded, following him to the car.
About an hour later, they arrived at the mausoleum.
Jared led the procession, holding Harrison's ashes, while Natalie, Shane, and the children followed at
the back.The burial was over in no time, and the tombstone was erected.
After the guests offered up their flowers, they left one by one, leaving the place to Natalie and her
family.
Natalie spoke not a word as she gazed at the brand new tombstone carved with Harrison's name.
Standing beside her, Jared remained wordless as well.
Shane and the two children were even quieter. The entire scene was shrouded in silence.
After a long while, just as the first raindrop began to fall from the sky, Natalie took a deep breath and
murmured, “Rest in peace, Dad.”
She had forgiven him.
The sound of her calling out “Dad” seemed to flip a switch in Jared, who instantly broke into tears,
crying out, “Rest in peace, Dad!”
Pulling the children forward, Natalie stroked their hair gently and urged, “Go on, call Grandpa.”
The children cast an uncertain look at each other and then nodded. Turning toward Harrison's
tombstone, they called out in unison, “Grandpa!”
It was their first time addressing Harrison as their grandfather, although he was no longer around to
hear it.
Th€ connection to th€ §ource of thïš dat@ r€§t$ in n0v3lebookYet, Shane had not said a word, and Natalie did not ask him to, either.
After all, Harrison had played Shane when he was alive as well. Although Natalie had decided to
forgive him, she did not feel it was her place to ask Shane to do the same.The fact that he had even attended the funeral was already a huge sign of respect to Harrison.
Thus, she would not pressure him to express forgiveness toward him.
Soon, the rain became heavier.
It didn't take long before they were all drenched.
Shane took off his coat and covered the children's heads with it. He turned to Natalie and uttered, “Let's
go.”