I don’t know how much time passed, but eventually, Kendra's father, who had been waiting for me to attend the funeral, rushed in. Seeing me covered in blood, he immediately insisted on sending me to the hospital.
I waved my hand to refuse his offer, insisting that I needed to see Lester on his final journey. As I watched his ashes being lowered to the ground, despite the unbearable pain in my body, my heart felt strangely at peace.
"Lester, don't choose me as your father in the next life."
When all the guests had left, I bowed deeply to Kendra's father and turned to walk away.
"Joseph, you’re free now," I whispered to myself.
That evening, Kendra was still feeding Russell chicken soup, spoonful by spoonful, when suddenly, Kendra's father burst into the room, knocking the bowl from her hands.
Kendra frowned, irritation flashing across her face.
"Dad, did Joseph complain to you again? He just didn’t want Lester to apologize. He’s always been difficult, hasn’t he? It’s as if it’s a bargain for him to divorce me."
"Shut up!" Kendra's father shouted, his cane striking her harshly. He trembled with rage, his voice shaking with fury.
"You vile woman, you killed Lester, and now you expect him to apologize to this bastard?!"
"You didn’t even attend the funeral today! Do you know how the world now sees the Glover family?"
Kendra froze, and a moment later, her lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Dad, Joseph lied about the child’s death. You’re his grandfather—why are you going along with his nonsense?"
Russell, too, spoke up, his voice filled with pain.
"Uncle, I know you’ve never liked me, but please don’t make light of children’s lives."
Kendra's father, now thoroughly enraged by their denial, clutched his chest and threw a death certificate at Kendra.
"I can’t believe the Glover family has someone so blind as you. Open your eyes and look carefully!"
Kendra’s hands trembled as she held the death certificate. Her face drained color.
"Is Lester really gone?"
