Chapter 600

Everett's eyes were swollen and red. Though Rosalind whispered soothing words, the scalding tears kept streaming down his face uncontrollably.

He pulled Rosalind into a crushing embrace, his entire frame trembling with suppressed grief. "I'm motherless now," he choked out between ragged breaths. "An orphan with no family left."

Rosalind held him just as fiercely, her arms forming a protective cocoon around him.

Never before had Everett revealed such raw vulnerability. Never had he allowed anyone to witness his tears.

Rosalind pressed her cheek against his damp shoulder. "You still have Lillian," she murmured. "And you have me. I'm not going anywhere."

Rising on her toes, she cradled his face between her palms and placed a featherlight kiss on his forehead.

That simple gesture spoke volumes - the purest form of tenderness one soul could offer another.

Everett clung to her like a drowning man to driftwood, drawing strength from her steady presence.

The inevitable couldn't be postponed. The hospital had completed all arrangements, and Rosalind had escorted Margaret's ashes home with Lillian's help.

Rosalind carefully positioned the urn and framed photograph in the antique cabinet while Lillian stood motionless before it.

"We'll keep vigil tonight," Rosalind said with gentle firmness. "Tomorrow you'll come stay at my family's estate."

Lillian's fingers twisted in her sweater. "I'd rather remain here."

"That's not an option." Rosalind's tone brooked no argument. "It's unsafe alone. My father and our housekeeper Beatrice will adore you. Now get some rest - midterms approach and you need sleep. I'll keep watch."

Lillian shook her head stubbornly. "I'm staying with Mother."

Without another word, Rosalind spread a thick quilt on the hardwood floor. "Then we'll keep vigil together."

They huddled beneath the blanket, warmth gradually seeping between them. Lillian pulled out her textbooks, determined to honor her mother's wishes by excelling in her studies.

Rosalind adjusted the lamp's glow, watching as Lillian's eyelids grew heavy. Within the hour, the girl had succumbed to exhaustion, her chemistry text slipping from slack fingers. Rosalind carefully removed the book and tucked the blanket snugly around her.

Gazing at Margaret's photograph, memories surfaced of happier times - Everett's booming laughter, Margaret's gentle teasing, Lillian's animated chatter during their shared meals.

Now their table would always have one empty chair.

The weight of loss pressed against Rosalind's ribs as exhaustion finally claimed her.

The creak of the front door startled her awake. "Who's there?"

A familiar silhouette filled the doorway - Everett had returned in the dead of night.

Rosalind's pulse leapt. "You came back."

Everett knelt before the urn, whispering a prayer. Then he crouched beside Rosalind, taking in the sight of the two most precious people left in his world.

Only in their presence did the storm within him still.

His thumb brushed the dark circles beneath Rosalind's swollen eyes. "I'm home," he murmured. "Rest now."