Chapter 416

She suddenly realized the date.

Her lips parted.

After a moment of silence, she asked softly, "Julian, did you go visit your mom?"

"Yeah." Julian Garnache's voice was low.

Anna Ross heard the sadness in his tone and comforted him gently. "Don't be too upset. Your mom—"

"Anna, I need some time alone. I'll find you later." He cut her off, his gaze fixed on the photo on the tombstone. His eyes were red.

Anna understood his heavy heart. She ended the call. His hometown was remote. She worried about his safety alone there.

A message from Mia Lawrence popped up on her screen.

"Anna, did you reach Julian? He's not answering calls or texts. I'm so worried!"

An idea sparked. She quickly typed a reply and sent it. She included a detailed address.

She let out a long breath. She had done all she could. The rest was up to her friend.

....

Julian leaned against the cold tombstone. Memories of his parents flooded his mind. Tears fell silently. "Mom, are you happy now?"

He asked the empty air. Only the rustle of wind through branches answered.

He smiled bitterly. "Right. You can't answer me now. Just like you never could back then."

He picked up a beer beside him. He drank it all in one go. He sat quietly, looking at the green cemetery. Time flew. Everything changed. Only this place seemed frozen in the past.

He stayed at the cemetery all day. He didn't leave until night completely enveloped the earth.

Suddenly, he noticed a figure moving in the distance. It flickered in and out of view. This cemetery had no caretaker. Who would come here so late?

Julian's throat tightened. Occasional bird calls echoed through the cemetery. They sounded especially sharp in the night. He wanted to walk down. But his feet felt too heavy to lift.

The shadow drew closer. It was less vague now. He turned on his flashlight and shone it forward.

It looked like a person. A woman?

"Julian! I finally found you!" Mia Lawrence brushed dirt off her clothes. She called out to him joyfully and hurried over.

Julian's eyes widened in disbelief. It was Mia!

How did she find this place?

Mia reached him, panting. "Julian, I'm exhausted."

"Mia, why are you here?" Julian was utterly surprised. A girl coming to a cemetery at night was worrying enough. But this was his hometown!

Mia paused. She thought hard for a moment before speaking softly. "I... I came to find you, of course."

She had been shocked when she received the address from Anna. She hadn't wanted to disturb him. But thinking of him alone, she couldn't rest easy. So she rushed over.