Chapter 19

Lilies—out of season, but packed full in every corner of the funeral hall. Right in front, that ridiculously pricey, custom-made crystal coffin was set up. Above it hung a black-and-white photo of Sophia, smiling bright as day. Lucas stood nearby in all black, glancing at the photo from time to time. Sophia always had a thing for pretty things, so besides the lilies, he'd decked out the whole place with fresh flowers—she was resting on a literal bed of blossoms, with a blanket of petals over her like a royal send-off. He couldn't see her face, but Lucas was sure—she was right there. It was knowing that, holding onto that, that kept him standing—instead of falling apart completely. "Lucas, you holding up okay?" Eva walked up to him in a sleek, tight-fitting black dress. The color might've been all mourning, but the way that dress hugged her curves... yeah, no mourning there. Lucas frowned. Something about Eva felt... off. He couldn't say exactly what had changed, but he just didn't have