Chapter 35

After Elena's parents left, Emmanuel drove straight to Velmont Cemetery. Staring at the picture of Elena with that lively sparkle in her eyes, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Emmanuel's lips. There was something rare—warmth—in his usually distant gaze. "Elena, I'm here to see you. Are you happy?" His voice was soft, almost trembling. "I finally got Lilith to come clean about everything. She paid the price for what she did. Did you see it?" "I should be with you now. I owe you that much. But your parents… they're still here, and losing you already broke them—that's more than enough pain for one lifetime. So I'll stay. I'll take care of them until the end. And once they're gone, I'll come be with you. Is that okay?" Always proud, always collected—yet now, Emmanuel's face was filled with nothing but hopeless sorrow. Every word from him sounded like a quiet plea. "Elena, will you still remember me when that day comes? I'm afraid that by then, I'll just be this worn-down old man, and