Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

Farewell Lance

Landon's P.O.V

Four hours ago, everything was fine. Lance was still here. The air was light. Everyone was happy until Lance collapsed in front of Evelyn. Almost instantly the atmosphere became heavy. The doctors came by quickly, checked Lance's breathing and announced that Lance passed away.

We were in Lance's room now. Evelyn sat quietly on a chair beside Lance's bed on which he lied peacefully. Evelyn was holding his cold hand in hers and was looking at him intently. Saige was crying on the other side of Lance's bed while a female supervisor was comforting her. I handled all the paperwork regarding Lance's funeral. I volunteered to finance his funeral as a tribute to him because he deserved it. Tomorrow was the funeral. I glanced at him. His body was not cold when I touched it a few minutes ago. He looked asleep. Then I glanced at Evelyn. She was in daze. She was in deep thinking. I wanted to pity her but I couldn't. I had questions that needed answers. Very important questions.

There was a knock at the door before it was opened by a police officer.

''Yes, Officer.''

''Mr Mckendrick, we have the orders to take the body for the autopsy report. The autopsy has to be performed tonight itself.''

''Officer. I think the doctors has already made it clear about the cause of death. Lance had the Edwards Syndrome. And what orders are you talking about ? "

''These orders came from the Ministry of Health and Safety. The matter is that there are some rumors spreading outside. Some people are suspecting foul play about this boy's death.''

''This is complete bullshit. Lance was sick for years and if it wasn't for Evelyn, Lance would have been already dead years ago.''

''We can't do anything about it Mr Mckendrick. But if you don't allow the autopsy process to take place, people would have more chances to downgrade this orphanage.''

I sighed before replying. ''Is there nothing we could do, Officer ?''

''I'm afraid not. We already have an ambulance to dispatch the body. I'll get them.''

Soon, some medical professionals came inside the room surrounded Lance's body. They moved a stretcher close to Lance's bed and started to lift him off the bed. Evelyn instantly broke out of her daze.

''What are you doing here ? Where are you taking him ?'' She pried away their hands over Lance's body.

I grabbed her hands and pulled her away. ''They are not going to hurt him, Evelyn. They are just following the procedures. There is nothing to be afraid of. He's in good hands.''

''Procedures ? What procedures ? What are you talking about ? I don't understand. Lance is sleepin--'' Tears were continuously running her cheeks. She was confused. She looked confused.

''Evelyn, I'm sorry but Lance is not sleeping. Lance is dead.''

More tears ran down her cheeks before she finally spoke.

''Get out. Now !'' She said in a serious voice to the paramedics.

The officer who was talking to Landon earlier came inside.

"Miss Nolan, we have the orders--'' Evelyn interrupted him. "I said out ! Now ! Everyone !"

"Miss Nolan, we need to proceed with the autopsy. We need to take the body--" Evelyn interrupted him again.

''His name is Lance. And I would appreciate it if you and everyone else would stop calling Lance 'a body'. He has an identity, even though--" She sighed. "Even though he is no more. And we don't need an autopsy report. Lance's doctors who took care of Lance for years have already clarified the cause of death. They must have already made a statement by now.''

"I understand Miss Nolan but to avoid the public's suspicion on the credibility of your orphanage--"

"I don't care about the public's opinion. Lance's death was natural. The public should have no say at all for an autopsy report because I took care of Lance and I stood with him through his best and worst phases for years, not the public."

Everyone was silenced and one by one, the paramedics went away.

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Two hours later after finalizing everything and leaving Evelyn in the arms of her parents wailing and crying at the top of her lungs, I went back to my apartment. I took a long and hot bath to wash away the tensions of the day. It was dark. I glanced at my window and saw the first tinkles of snow falling. Twenty days from now was Christmas. Lance must have been waiting for that day, like every other children. Like I waited when I was a child.

My phone buzzed on my desk. It was Xenon. I took the call.

"Speak." I took a long sip of coffee from my coffee bottle.

"Hello. Thank you for asking, I'm doing very well." He replies sarcastically.

"Any progress on tipper of Graham ?"

"You said you might have an idea."

"Yes I said I 'might' have. Have you made any progress ?"

"I still have no idea who the tipper is but I know for sure, it's not someone in the office. Excluding you, Brigitte, your father and I, who else knew about the details of our tender ?"

"Evelyn might know about the details."

"Evelyn ? As in the hot Evelyn Nolan ? Your new conquest ?" I could feel him smiling. '' Will I be invited to the grand wedding ?" I totally forgot about the wedding. He continued. "You know that I would have liked it better if you told me in person that you had plans marrying this princess rather than finding out through the news ?"

"As far as I remember I have never solicited your opinion for anything in my private life. Besides, you're my employee at work, not my friend. And I don't mix my private life with my professional one."

"Ofcourse." I could almost see Xenon roll his eyes as he replied. "I've checked Graham's list of calls and messages for the last 24 hours through his phone company, hacked his laptop and checked his emails which I know is kinda illegal but nobody is ever gonna find out. I've found no one that could raise my suspicion. Which means that Graham has not contacted the tipper through phone calls or even messages. He met the tipper right before the auction started."

I closed my eyes and rubbed my nose bone with my thumb and my index finger. Every piece of information pointed at Evelyn. My blood was boiling. I was stupid. So damn stupid. Why did I gave her that bloody file ? I let her manipulate me. I let her control me. Damn it ! Damn her ! My phone buzzed. Nathan was calling me too.

"Nate is calling me. I've got to go. Listen, tomorrow I'll be late for work." I had no intention of picking Nathan's call right now. I was too furious.

"Yeah, about tomorrow. I'm not coming to work. I've taken the day off. It's my mom's birthday tomorrow."

"Fine. Where did you keep the file of the Pathers ? Is it with you right now ?"

"That file is with your dad. He asked me for it today. Old man said he had to take a look. He even took it home. I saw the file in his hands when he was leaving today. Do you need it ?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna call him now. Call me if found anything else about Graham or the tipper."

"Yeah. See you later." I hung up.

I declined Nathan's call and dialed my father's number. His phone rang.

"Good evening, son." His voice cracked.

I sighed. "Good evening dad. I need the file of the Pathers. Have you finished taking a look at it ? I need it."

"You can come home tomorrow morning to pick it. I won't be needing it by then. And you don't need to knock on the door before you come inside, Landon. You are no stranger and it is your house too."

"I'll come early in the morning."

"Good. I appreciate it that you volunteered to sponsor that boy's funeral in Evelyn's orphanage. I'm proud of you, son. Will you be at the funeral tomorrow ?"

"Ofcourse."

"Great. Are you going to the funeral after you pick up the Pathers file ?"

"The plan is that right now. Why ?" I've never had a conversation that long with my dad for about two decades now. Our conversations always lasted for five seconds.

"June and I would like to join you. I mean we could go together."

"Yeah. I'll come at 7 30 in the morning. The funeral is at 11 00."

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Evelyn's P.O.V

The day I most dreaded was today. Today was Lance's funeral. The hall in the gymnasium was decorated with white carnations and roses. Lance's wooden casket in the front was shining under the chandeliers. Nobody was here. Not even Lance. It was five in the morning. I did not get a wink of sleep last night. I was exhausted. I felt weak. I spent so much energy convincing Lance to come back. But he didn't come.

My eyes were dry. So dried that it hurt. It felt like I lost my will to live. Lance was my happiness, my bundle of joy. The world was a better place when he was here. Now it felt like everything was a pretense. Everything. There was a large picture of Lance smiling up on the wall before the casket. I smiled weakly at it. My first child.

Whoever said that blood was thicker than water was absolutely wrong. I have no blood ties with Lance. But our hearts and souls were connected to one another.

I sat on the ground, under the big picture. I admired every single detail of his face. I remembered this picture. I took this picture. We were playing hide and seek with each other on that day. He was so happy. Hide and seek was his favorite game. He loved to hide. Now, he has found the perfect place. A place where I could no longer find him.

"Evie, don't be sad." I heard Lance behind me. I turned in hope of finding and there he was.

"Don't cry." I didn't even realize that I was crying. "You can always find me in your heart. You remember you said that I lived in your heart and you lived in mine. It's true, Evie. I will always be with you." He wiped my tears away.

I smiled. "Promise me you won't leave me again. I love you so much Lance, I cannot imagine living without you."

"I will have to go back. I just came to say good bye, Evie. You are going to be fine without me and I am sure Landon will take care of you. Please thank him for these beautiful flowers. I love them." Lance exclaimed.

"I will, honey." I looked at him. He looked more alive than the Lance lying on the bed inside. He had bright white light around him though. And he had such a calming effect. I felt sleepy. My eyes were drowsy. I heard myself saying "Can I have a last hug ?" before a fresh breeze came and swirled me in deep slumber.