Jacob walked away and rejoined his father. However, he decided on a whim that he would steal Sophia from Arthur as he wanted to win against Arthur at least once.
A while later, Brenda and her family arrived at the funeral. Among them was Nigel holding Jared in his arms. Jared was wearing a black suit adorned with a white flower for today’s occasion.
Francis was the one who arrived soon after them. Then, he walked over to offer Elliot some words of condolences before looking for Jared in the crowd.
Brenda came and spoke to Elliot. He could see her red eyes set off by her pale look. As they ended their conversation, she walked away and joined the elders.
When Nigel came over to greet them, Elliot reminded him, “You have to take care of your mother.”
“I tried, but she hasn’t had any appetite recently. Dad and I couldn’t change her mind.” Nigel shook his head in regret.
As the tombstone was set and the urn storing Harriet’s ashes was buried, it was now time for the deceased’s relatives and friends to take turns placing flowers and paying respects at her grave.
Elliot, Anastasia, and Jared were the first ones to pay their last respects to Harriet. When Jared placed a bouquet of flowers beside the gravestone, he took a look at Harriet’s photo. He had been holding back his tears until Anastasia gave him a gentle pat. At that, he couldn’t hold himself back anymore as he threw himself in his mother’s arms and wept on her shoulder.
Anastasia’s red eyes indicated she was also grieving. As she gave him a soothing kiss on his forehead, they stepped aside to make room for other mourners. Others behind them began to stand in a line to place flowers. Among them was Arthur waiting for his turn while holding Sophia’s hand in his. When they came to the front, she helped him to place the flowers.
Lorelai was staring at Elliot with admiration and longing under the umbrella from time to time. She watched him as he held his wife and son in his arms, then at the tenderness and sadness in his eyes. His state left Lorelai heartbroken as she was feeling sympathetic toward him, even though she wasn’t in the position.
Once the mourning ceremony ended, the guests other than Arthur left one after another. Anastasia stood beside Elliot from the beginning as they saw the guests off. Later, she found Elliot lingering in front of Harriet’s gravestone. Holding his hand in hers, she accompanied him for a few minutes in his silent mourning.
Arthur stopped Sophia before all of them left for home and asked her to share a car with him.
She rejected, “Nope. I’m going with President Tillman.”
However, Anastasia was having a different thought as she suggested gently, “Sophia, that’s all for today. You can go with Young Master Weiss.”
Since he received permission from Anastasia, he grasped Sophia’s wrist and dragged her all the way to his car without another word.
As Elliot and Anastasia made it back to the villa, Jared had been playing with the Legos in his room as he didn’t want to bother his parents who were in dire need of rest now.
Anastasia urged Elliot to take a shower before he went to sleep as he had been struggling to sleep properly for the last couple of days. Sometimes, he was interrupted in his sleep by incoming matters; sometimes, he couldn’t even fall asleep due to the negative emotions.
Listening to her words, he went for a quick shower before she dragged him onto the bed. She settled in his arms and watched him sleep.
After a while, she was certain that he had fallen asleep as she could hear his breathing turning slow and deep. She tucked him in bed, then joined Jared and his toys in his room.
The deceased was now in peace while the living had to continue with their lives. She was full of determination to take on the oncoming obstacles for her responsibilities.
Arthur brought Sophia downtown, but he eventually stopped at a high-end cafe instead of his villa.
Sitting opposite him, Sophia maintained the stance she had on their way to the cafe as she tried once again. “Young Master Weiss, please let me see your grandma. Let’s explain how I lost your family heirloom to her, shall we?”
She had been worrying about him since Emily’s call.
Arthur took note of Sophia’s worried look. She isn’t letting me take the blame. Doesn’t it mean she likes me?
“Sophia, stop worrying about me.” Arthur held the cup of coffee up elegantly. “I’m not in big trouble at all because Grandma is fond of me.”
Sophia was listening to his explanation while sipping her coffee. As she raised her head casually, she was taken aback by Emily walking toward them in feigned elegance with her handbag.
“Miss Jennings.” Sophia placed the coffee cup on the table before she stood to greet Emily.
Emily shot daggers at her before turning to Arthur. “Artie, Grandma is looking for you everywhere. Let’s go home together!”
