Page 73 of Her Sweet Surrender
“We’ll do everything in our power,” Sir assured him.
“He seems unreachable this time,” Mrs. Wallace whimpered, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Losing Kylie is more…” Brie started choking up. “…than he can bear.”
Mrs. Wallace grabbed Brie’s hand. “I heard that you were there. It must have been terrible.”
Brie held the tears back, determined to be strong for all of them. “I’m glad he wasn’t alone.”
“Poor Kylie,” Faelan’s father said, swiping hastily at his eyes.
“It’s a tragedy on all accounts,” Sir stated, putting his arm around Brie. She was grateful for the physical support.
“The baby is healthy,” Mr. Wallace said gruffly. “We take comfort in that.”
“She is a beautiful little girl,” Brie agreed.
“I wish Todd would hold her…” Mrs. Wallace sniffed.
Brie gave Sir a worried look. She hadn’t realized Faelan wasn’t interacting with his child at all.
Mr. Wallace walked them to Kylie’s parents and introduced them.
Brie could barely look her mother in the eyes, aware of the pain she was suffering. Feeling the need to comfort her, Brie wrapped her arms around the grieving woman. “I’m so sorry.”
The woman grew stiff in Brie’s arms and only nodded.
Kylie’s father asked Brie in a choked voice. “How was she…at the end?”
Brie had prepared herself for the question and answered in the gentlest way she could. “She was happy. I will never forget the joy on her face when she held her daughter or the way your granddaughter looked at her with such love.”
“She didn’t die in pain?” Kylie’s mother whimpered.
Brie kept her smile even though she knew her answer would be hard for the parents to hear. “Kylie did cry out for help. It was as if she could sense something was wrong just before she passed out, but she didn’t suffer.”
Her parents nodded, tears rolling down their cheeks.
“Kylie was well-loved by many, as you can see,” Sir stated in a warm voice. “I hope that brings you some comfort.”
Her father glanced around at the number of people still walking up to the gravesite. “People here have been exceedingly kind to us. So yes, Mr. Davis, it does ease our pain to know she was surrounded by good people.”
Once everyone had gathered, Marquis went back to the limousine to get Faelan.
He stepped out of the vehicle, a look of anguish on his face, and slowly approached the grave. His eyes were locked on it as if he didn’t see anyone or anything else.
Taking his place between both sets of parents, Faelan stood with his hands behind his back and his head bowed. He remained that way for the entire graveside service. He didn’t move or make a sound, although everyone around him sobbed. But Brie could feel his torment and noticed the tears that silently fell to the ground.
When the time came to lower the coffin into the ground, Faelan suddenly stiffened and closed his eyes. He remained where he was while everyone else threw handfuls of dirt onto the coffin in honor of her.
Brie could feel the building tension he was throwing off.
Suddenly, Faelan dropped to his knees and cried out, “Don’t leave me here alone!”
The anguish in his voice sent chills through Brie.
Everyone froze, caught in the intensity of his pain.
Marquis and Faelan’s father quietly helped him to his feet. Together, they attempted to lead him back to the limousine, but he broke from their grip, howling angrily as he stormed away in the opposite direction. People hastily made a path for him through the crowd.
