Taming The Cold-Hearted Man

Prologue The ground was still damp when Larisa visited. The mound scattered with flowers hadn’t yet been overrun by wild grass, as the burial had only taken place about a week ago. Larisa crouched down and placed the flowers she brought by each tombstone engraved with the names of her mother and father. She gently ran her fingers over the stone with their names. Her fingers traced each letter carefully. Her eyes slowly began to close, and Larisa tried to take a deep breath. As the air flowed in, the pain in her chest returned. "Why did you leave me so soon?" The sobs she had been holding back were no longer contained. Larisa’s body trembled, her shoulders shaking as she wept. "Come on, dear," a woman in a white shawl gently patted Larisa’s shoulder. "Let's go home," she continued. Larisa wiped her tears and slowly began to stand up. The atmosphere in the cemetery felt quiet and melancholic. The characteristic scent of the burial grounds even lingered as the wind blew through the white frangipani trees and the surrounding bunga kantil trees. "Can you take me home, Uncle, Aunt?" Larisa asked. Pras, who had already opened the car door and was about to get in, hesitated. He looked at his wife first before glancing at Larisa. His wife did the same. "You can't stay in that house anymore, Larisa," Pras said. "That's right, dear. You don't have any family here," Tamara added. Larisa clasped her hands together, looking uneasy. In this village, she only had her parents, with no other relatives. As for the neighbors, although they were kind, that didn’t mean Larisa could rely on them. "But... I'll only be a burden to you, Uncle and Aunt," Larisa whispered. Tamara sighed softly with a smile. She understood how Larisa felt, as she had also experienced loss herself. It wasn't easy, but Tamara believed Larisa would get used to it. "Come with us. Uncle and Aunt are your family now."