The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Like any typical funeral, the atmosphere was tinged with tears of sorrow. They came from those who took the time to accompany the deceased to their final resting place. Dressed in all black, their faces were filled with grief and tears flowed endlessly.

Clearly engraved on the headstone was the name of Daphne Billings, who took her last breath at an age no longer considered young. She left behind a large family who seemed deeply affected by her departure. Resting forever beside her husband’s grave, Daphne had completed her journey in this world. Gone for eternity, leaving her loved ones in a grief they had never imagined.

No one had anticipated Daphne’s swift departure. An elderly woman who seemed healthy and vibrant suddenly passed away without any sign of illness or discomfort. But isn’t that the way fate always is? It arrives and snatches away loved ones without warning, as if to plant the most painful surprise deep in everyone’s minds.

Among those who never expected it was Garrett, who really could not believe in such a fate. Maybe it was just a bad dream, something that would disappear when he woke up. That’s what Garrett hoped. That it was not real. It was just a bad dream. But never had a nightmare felt so painful.

An excruciating pain that almost took Garrett’s breath away. It felt like hundreds of rusty needles piercing every inch of his skin. He was wounded, drowning in blood and pus.

Garrett still knelt on the damp ground; his face bowed.

It had only been a short time. In fact, Garrett had only lived with Daphne for a short time. Less than a year with Daphne. And unfortunately, in that short time, suspicions had crept in and caused Garrett to withdraw from his relationship with his grandmother.

Yet this was what Garrett felt now. It seemed completely illogical that Garrett could be so devastated in such a short relationship. But the pain was there. It felt painfully real in the throbbing in his chest that was torturing Garrett.

Garrett gripped the tombstone, trying to find another form of pain. Something that could make him forget the pain of loss. But it turned out not to be enough. Instead, the opposite happened.

The pain and the tombstone felt like a hard slap to Garrett. It made him realize it was too late. He had missed his chance.

“Nana, forgive me.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

And amidst all the pain and regret that often plagued the funeral atmosphere, it was his belated apology that deeply affected Garrett. Of all the suspicions and doubts he had ever entertained; Daphne should have known how great the regret was in his heart. Daphne should have given Garrett a chance to apologize.

“Garrett.”

Elice touched Garrett’s shoulder softly. As softly as a single raindrop falling and landing on Garrett’s hand.

Above, dark clouds continued to drift endlessly, and the wind blew mournfully, creating an increasingly poignant atmosphere. It was as if nature itself was mourning Daphne’s departure.

Garrett lifted his face, unaware that at some point the funeral atmosphere had become silent. People began to disappear one by one, leaving only a few close family members behind.

Among them was Garrett, who remained with both knees on the ground, unwilling to leave. It was hard to move on. Like Daphne, who had been buried for eternity, Garrett had experienced something similar. Garrett was also buried in grief.

*

The atmosphere at the Morales residence was one of mourning, with almost the entire family gathered to pay their respects and support each other.

It always felt that way. It was never easy to be left behind by family, especially when the departure was so sudden.

When Garrett closed his eyes, he remembered vividly. It felt like only yesterday when he was reunited with Daphne after all these years. It also felt like only yesterday when Daphne had welcomed Garrett into the house for the first time. And it was also only yesterday that Garrett had finally found out what had really been going on all this time.

Again, and again. In the end, it was regret that became the invisible noose that tightened around Garrett’s neck, leaving him powerless and tears streaming down his cheeks once again.

“Garrett, we offer our deepest condolences.”

Garrett felt exhausted. The grief seemed like a black hole, sucking up all his energy. But there was nothing he could do. Except endure and accept the condolences of everyone who came.

“I never thought she would leave so soon. Especially when Elice is pregnant and she was really looking forward to her birth,” Rita’s words made Wilda sigh deeply. Stepping back from the crowd, the two could clearly see how devastated Garrett and Norah were. Their grief was written all over their faces. And Wilda could not comment on what Rita had just said.

Wilda remembered vividly how happy and excited Daphne had been about Elice’s pregnancy. And not only that. From what Elice had told her, Daphne was really excited about Elice’s pregnancy. Daphne had prepared many things to welcome Elice and Garrett’s baby. But who could control fate? Certainly no one.

So, Wilda stayed to be with them. Garrett’s family needed her, especially Elice.

“Elice.”

Wilda turned to her daughter. Despite Elice’s obligation to stay there, Wilda didn’t want anything bad to happen to her daughter. Elice was pregnant, still young in her pregnancy. Fatigue and stress were the main threats to her.

“It’s better for you to rest now,” Wilda whispered in her ear. “You look pale and your body is shaking. Mama doesn’t want anything bad to happen to you and your baby.”

Not only that, Wilda could feel the chill in Elice’s skin.

Garrett, who was sitting right next to Elice, turned his head. It was faint, but he could hear what his mother-in-law was saying. He squeezed Elice’s hand. “What Mama said is true, Elice. It’s better for you to rest now.”

Elice’s eyes showed reluctance, but Garrett spoke again.

“I’ll join you soon.”

*