Chapter 748 Attending The Funeral
Just a month after she slipped into a coma, Eleanor flatlined in the dead of night. Her passing caught everyone off guard. That night, the equipment’s shrill beeping shattered the silence in the hospital.
Benjamin stared at the person lying motionless in bed. His fists were tightly clenched while the muscles on his face trembled uncontrollably.
Amelia, too, was in a daze. She had never expected Eleanor to leave this world so abruptly, without giving them a chance to say goodbye.
James examined Eleanor for a while, confirming that she was already gone before approaching the others. “I’m so sorry for not being able to save Mrs. Hutton.”
Amelia stared at James blankly and said, “James, didn’t you say she still had three months left to live? It’s been only a month. You even told me that she had at least half a year to live. How can she be gone now?”
A hint of remorse flashed across James’ eyes. This was the biggest mistake he had done since he started practicing medicine.
“I also never expected Mrs. Hutton to pass away so quickly. Professor Schweitzberg and I have been discussing day and night how to operate on her. I didn’t expect this to happen before we came up with a solution… I’m truly sorry. My condolences to you,” James said as he lowered his head guiltily. He felt he was not worthy of the doctor’s coat he was wearing.
Amelia pursed her lips and shook her head.
Just when everyone was still processing the sudden grief, Amelia Hutton walked up to Amelia Winters and raised her hand to strike at the latter’s face.
The next moment, Amelia Hutton’s hand was seized by someone. Oscar growled, “What are you doing?”
Amelia Hutton glared at Amelia Winters. Gritting her teeth, she said, “If it weren’t because she was adamant about bringing my mother here to Tayhaven, my mother wouldn’t have passed away so soon. It’s all this jinx’s fault! How I wish I could rip off that mouth of yours!”
Oscar flung her hand away and said, “For the sake of Mom, I won’t do anything to you. However, I request that you be more respectful to my wife.”
Amelia Hutton bit her lip tightly, feeling the resentment brewing deep within her.
“Stop this nonsense, Amelia. Can you bear to see your mother leave without getting any peace?” Benjamin said.
“Dad…”
“Shut your mouth.” Benjamin turned around to scold her. The next moment, he walked toward Eleanor’s bed and spoke in a low voice as if he was afraid of startling her. “Don’t be scared, Eleanor. I’ll take you home in a while. I won’t let you stay in the hospital. I would have brought you home if I had known you would be gone so soon. That way, you wouldn’t have been alone when you passed on.”
Everyone looked at the man, who had been tough and unyielding for most of his life, kneeling beside the bed and weeping. The sight of the grown man crying his heart out caused the others to well up with tears as well.
Everyone was caught off guard by Eleanor’s passing. After a moment of bewilderment, grief came crashing down on them. The ward was shrouded in indescribable and intense sadness.
Eleanor was eventually brought back to Saspiuburg. Amelia, Oscar, Tiffany, Derrick, Noah, and the older Clintons all attended the funeral. Meanwhile, Stephanie was absent due to her pregnancy. However, she had never thought of attending the funeral anyway.
Both Amelia and Oscar attended the funeral as family members. There were many people in the large mansion. Businessmen from various places and other family members knew that Eleanor was gravely ill. They had even visited her in the past. However, they did not think she would pass away so soon. It was something out of the blue for them.
Those who came to offer their condolences were shocked to see Amelia and Oscar at the funeral. Nonetheless, based on how similar Amelia and Eleanor looked, they would have assumed Eleanor had been resurrected from the dead if it hadn’t been for Amelia’s younger appearance.
After paying their respects, the guests gossiped among themselves regarding Amelia Winters’ identity, as they remembered the Hutton family had only one daughter, which was Amelia Hutton.
No one knew who Amelia Winters was. Benjamin then recomposed himself and beckoned her over. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce all of you to the long-lost eldest daughter of the Hutton family. We reunited some time ago, and my wife was so happy to have found our daughter. She even wanted to find a chance to introduce Amelia to everyone. Unfortunately, before she was able to do so, Eleanor fell ill. This was her final wish. Therefore, I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce Amelia to all of you. I also hope that all of you, as her elders, will look out for her too.”
Everyone was dumbstruck at the revelation. So she’s their long-lost eldest daughter! It’s no wonder that she looks so identical to Mrs. Hutton.
Everyone would have applauded and congratulated them if it hadn’t been for how inappropriate that was for the event. In such a solemn setting, the crowd could only nod in acknowledgment.
Benjamin said, “Lia, you’ve just had a miscarriage, and your body is still weak. You should head to the guest room with your husband and get some rest. You don’t have to follow the procession.”
“I want to. I’d like to send her off for the last time. I can follow behind with Oscar if you don’t wish to see me,” Amelia said.
Benjamin heaved a silent sigh. “It’s not that I don’t wish to see you. Your mom is already gone, so there’s no point in arguing about anything anymore. Right now, I truly consider you a daughter of mine.”
Amelia was a little touched by his words. “I’d like to send her off.”
“It’s up to you.”
When the time came, several people carried Eleanor’s coffin into a hearse and headed toward the cemetery.
Before her death, Eleanor had once said that she would not want to be cremated. Thus, Benjamin followed her wishes and looked for a cemetery with beautiful scenery, just so she could be at peace over there.
When they arrived at the cemetery, Benjamin watched as the pallbearers placed the coffin inside the freshly dug pit, then began shoveling.
Both Benjamin and Amelia watched as Eleanor’s coffin was slowly buried under the dirt. After that, the workers swiftly erected a magnificent gravestone.
The guests stayed around for two hours before they gradually left one by one. In the end, only the Hutton family, Amelia Winters, Oscar, the Clintons, Derrick, and Tiffany were left at the cemetery.
Looking at Eleanor’s smiling portrait on the gravestone, Benjamin’s eyes reddened. He said in a hoarse voice, “All of you should head home first. I’ll stay here with her. I’m worried that she’ll be alone and scared as she makes her way to heaven.”
Amelia Hutton cried, “Dad, don’t be like this. I’m sure Mom wouldn’t wish to see you like this.”
Benjamin merely stared down blankly as he placed his hands behind his back. His figure appeared depressing and lonesome.
“Dad…”
Just when Amelia Hutton was about to persuade her father, Sean shook his head at her and said to the Clintons, “Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, thank you for making your way here to attend my mother’s funeral. I think we should head back home soon as the maids have prepared a meal for us.”
Olivia and the others nodded.
Oscar wrapped his arm around Amelia Winters’ waist and was about to leave when Benjamin spoke again. “Lia, could you please stay back for a bit? I need to talk to you.”
Amelia glanced at Oscar and said, “Oscar, why don’t you go back with Mom and Dad? I’ll catch up with you in a little while.”
“It’s okay. I’ll just wait for you nearby. I don’t feel at ease leaving you alone like that,” Oscar said bluntly.
Amelia had no choice but to reply, “You can wait for me over there.”
Once Oscar had left, Amelia and Benjamin stood next to each other and gazed at Eleanor’s portrait on the gravestone. The sadness that had been suppressed in their hearts surged up once again.
“You asked me to stay back. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” Amelia asked.
Benjamin took out a clear and shiny jade pendant and handed it to Amelia. He then said, “This is something your mother got for you when you were still a child. It was supposed to be given to you, but you went missing before that happened. The jade pendant has been kept for more than thirty years. Please accept it. It’s probably not worth much, but at least it’s a token of her love for her children.”
Amelia took the jade pendant from him and noticed some engravings on it. Amelia, my daughter. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy.
It was also noted below that the jade pendant was engraved in 1988.
Back then, Amelia was probably around three or four years old.
“Your mother planned to have you change your last name back to Hutton. I wonder if you’d like to acknowledge your biological ancestors?”
“No need. I’ve gotten used to being acknowledged as a Winters for so many years. No matter if I’m from the Winters family or the Hutton family, she will always be my mother. I’ve never thought that my fate with her as mother and daughter would be so short-lived. Nevertheless, I’m quite satisfied. At least she has eliminated my resentment and desire toward the Winters family.”
“All right, I won’t force you. In the event that you decide to return to the Hutton family someday, I won’t intervene. Let me know if you’re bullied in the Clinton family. Despite the fact that the Hutton family is not as powerful as the Clintons, we’re not softies either.”
Suddenly, Amelia chuckled.
“Mr. Hutton, I’ve never imagined you’d ever talk to me in an amicable manner like today. It’s a shame that Mom couldn’t live to witness it.”
Benjamin’s eyes darkened as he said in a low voice, “You’re still unwilling to acknowledge me as your father?”
“No, I’m not used to doing so at the moment. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to acknowledge you someday.”
Benjamin did not force her anymore.
“You should go back first. I would like to stay a little longer with your mother.”
Amelia nodded.
On the way back home with Oscar, Amelia leaned against the seat in a daze. Tears began to stream down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Oscar reached out to wipe her tears and said, “It’s all right. Don’t cry anymore. The dead can’t be resurrected. I’m sure Mom wouldn’t want to see you grieving like this.”
Amelia looked at him and replied, “I don’t want to cry either. It’s just that I can’t control my tears at all. My eyes are like leaky faucets right now.”
Oscar patted her head. “I know you feel awful, but the dead has passed on. My heart breaks seeing you cry.”
Amelia rested her head on his shoulder.
Oscar embraced her in his arms as he instructed the driver to drive a little slower. He then said gently to her, “Take a nap. You haven’t been sleeping well for the past few days.”
Amelia nodded. She then closed her eyes and gradually fell asleep after that.
Oscar’s eyes darkened as he watched her sleep.
Since Eleanor had passed away, Oscar initially thought of having Amelia cut ties with the Hutton family. However, as he thought of Amelia wanting to visit Eleanor’s grave on Memorial Day, Oscar decided to let nature take its course without forcing Amelia to make a difficult decision.
When they arrived at the Hutton residence, Oscar woke Amelia up from her short nap.
Amelia woke up in a daze and asked, “We’ve arrived?”
“Yes, we’re here. Let’s get off the car.”
After they exited the car, Oscar said, “Are we returning to Tayhaven later, or do you plan to stay here for a week until the memorial service is over?”
“I’d like to keep vigil here until the end of the service. You should, however, return to Tayhaven first. There are plenty of matters that you need to deal with in the company. I don’t want you to be too exhausted.”
“No. I’ll stay with you. I don’t want you to go missing on the plane again. I’ll leave it to Dad to deal with the company. He has more experience than me and can handle the company’s problems well. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oscar…”
“You know I can’t possibly leave you here alone.”
Amelia fell silent, implicitly allowing Oscar to stay here with her.
