Chapter 1385
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. This is a big deal—I’ll take it seriously. I’ll talk to Keaton about it tomorrow, just sit down and have a real conversation with him p>
Elysia let out a long sigh and relaxed into Tarquin’s arms. “Even though Winona hasn’t really shown it, what Zane did to her was seriously damaging p>
“It’s only because she’s so tough-if she were even a little bit more fragile, I honestly don’t think she’d have made it through p>
“But no matter how strong she is, she’s still just a girl. If something like this happened again, I don’t think she’d survive it. That’s why I’m so worried p>
Tarquin hugged her tighter and nodded. “I get it, I really do. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Oh, and some good news-Zane left the country p>
Not catching him was bad news, sure.
But him leaving-well, that was a win for Winona.
With Zane out of the country, there’s no way he could show up and hurt her again.
Elysia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really p>
“Yeah. So at least for now, Winona’s safe. No need to worry about Zane coming back for revenge p>
Elysia nodded quickly. “That is good news, actually. Does Keaton know? Has Winona been told p>
“Keaton knows. I’m pretty sure he’s already told her p>
Elysia released another breath, her worries easing a little.
Suddenly, she remembered about Elizabeth Gonzalez’s ashes.
“By the way, I heard from Father Michael today. He wanted to know what we wanted to do—whether to keep having memorial services for Mom, or if it’s time to finally lay her to rest p>
After they found Elizabeth’s ashes, they didn’t bury her right away.
Instead, they’d left her at the church for Father Michael to pray over her.
The original plan was just one memorial cycle, but then with the pandemic and everything, they’d had to hole up in the woods, and things just got delayed.
So they ended up keeping her there a little longer than intended.
Mentioning Elizabeth made Tarquin’s face darken, his expression growing heavy.
His parents’ deaths were a tragedy-grisly, and even after, there had been no peace for them.
Whenever he thought about them, he couldn’t help but remember the mysterious stranger and the real eighth-generation virus.
Lately, he’d been racking his brain-where could his parents have hidden the virus?
But no matter how much he thought about it, he had absolutely no clue.
And the mysterious stranger still hadn’t gotten in touch.
He’d tried to set up a meeting through Lucian a few days ago, but the guy was radio silent.
Without finding the real
eighth-generation virus, and with the
stranger missing, he couldn’t just
make a move if he went afterthe wrong person, things could go really wrong… s
Then, as if struck by a thought, Tarquin frowned deeply.
“It’s time to let Mom rest, to bury her and reunite her with Dad p>
Elysia nodded. “Okay, whatever you say. You’ll need to pick a date for the burial, and
say’ll have to open Dad’s
casket p>
s
Elizabeth and Kendrick had been so in love-it only made sense to lay them to rest together.
They’d have to open Kendrick’s grave, and place Elizabeth’s ashes at his side.
Tarquin’s expression was somber. “Yeah, I know p>
Elysia hugged him, her cheek pressed to his chest in comfort.
“For your mom and dad, this is a
eret
happy thing, really. They’ve probably
been to see each other again
for a long time. Don’t be sad s
He wasn’t sad. It was, in its own way, a celebration.
Besides, he’d been wanting to open the coffin anyway. There were things he
needed to confirm.