Emma stepped into the Jones Estate, her legs heavy, her heart heavier. Mom! She is gone. My only living family is gone. What do I do now? Oliver will never let me live in peace.
The grand halls were quiet, but not peaceful— they echoed with memories she wasn’t ready to face. Her mind swirled in chaos, the weight of her mother’s death pressing on her chest like a boulder.
William was already waiting. He heard the news. Besides, his earlier chat with John pushed him to edges but he kept his composure.
The moment he saw her, his stern expression softened. Without a word, he opened his arms and pulled her into a warm, steady embrace.
“Oh, poor child,” he murmured, voice thick with grief. “I heard everything.”
Emma said nothing. She couldn’t. Her lips trembled, but no sound escaped. Her e
