Sylvia paused and looked up at me. “She doesn’t eat, drink, or sleep at all?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. The servant had left food at the door of the room, but I’ve heard that Alina didn’t touch it at all.”
“Why didn’t I see this daughterly affection before Leonard passed away? Why does she pretend to love him so much now?” Sylvia sneered, icy disdain dripping from her voice.
This was the first time I had seen Sylvia be so resentful toward anyone. It looked like this time’s events had truly made her despise Alina deeply.
After all, Alina was the one who had colluded with Noreen to kidnap her. Perhaps Alina only wanted to hurt Sylvia. But she didn’t expect that all the pack members would go to save Sylvia, leaving an opening for Noreen to kill Leonard.
“Leonard’s funeral is going to be held tomorrow.” I sighed.
Sylvia’s eyes fell to the floor and she remained quiet.
I knew what was making her unhappy. I cupped her face and gave her an earnest look. “Do you want to pay your respects to Leonard and say goodbye to him?”
She nodded and said softly, “Yes, I want to see him. I want to talk to him alone. But Alina won’t let me see him. She knows who I am now.”
“How did she find out?” I was a little taken aback. This was supposed to be a secret. If I hadn’t discovered Edwin’s deception, I was certain I wouldn’t know the truth about Sylvia’s paternal connection right now.
Leonard and Edwin shouldn’t have revealed the truth to Alina first.
“I don’t know. Maybe she has spies in the pack.” Sylvia looked confused. After pondering about it for a while, she said in an uneasy voice, “Alina said that Leonard didn’t want to recognize me as his daughter at all.”
“That’s impossible,” I retorted without hesitation. I was seething that Alina had cooked up a lie. “When Leonard discovered that you’re his biological daughter, he nearly went crazy with joy. There is zero doubt that he loves you. He wanted to tell you the truth after Alina’s wedding, but now he doesn’t have the chance anymore.”
I sighed helplessly. No one could predict what would happen in life. Life itself was so much more fragile than we could imagine.
Sylvia pursed her lips, her tears threatening to spill over.
I hurried to comfort her. “I’ll take you to see Leonard tonight.”
Sylvia gulped hard and asked, “What about Alina? She will stop us.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
Sylvia’s POV
That evening, Rufus actually took me to the mourning hall where Leonard’s body had been placed. Alina was not there.
I didn’t know how Rufus had made her leave, and I didn’t care about it anymore. I was just happy she wasn’t here to disgust me again.
“I’ll be outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Rufus considerately gave me some time alone and left to guard the door.
After the door shut, I slowly made my way to the bed where the corpse was placed.
The cosmetician had already fixed Leonard’s face and body. Except for the pale blue hue of his skin, he looked the same as before.
I stared at his body, my mind going blank.
I’d thought I would be a crying mess, but it seemed that I had already shed all my tears before.
At this moment, I felt a faint burning sensation on my chest. It was because of the pendant I’d worn before leaving the hospital.
The pink pendant got progressively hotter until it turned a deep rose-red color.
I knew that when I put some distance between Leonard and me, the pendant would become light pink again.
Originally, I had only intended to keep the pendant and look at it when I missed him. But I hadn’t expected it to work even after he was gone.
Tears streamed down my face again. I felt an overwhelming sadness as I thought about what had happened between Leonard and me.
If I had only know earlier that he was my father.
Then I would have spent more time with him.
I would have cherished the special training he had given me.
After sobbing for a while, I wiped my tears. I opened the gift box I’d brought with me. It held a walking cane I’d made for him before. I wanted to give it to him after Alina’s wedding. But in the end, I couldn’t even see him one last time before he died.
With trembling hands, I gently placed the walking cane beside Leonard’s body and wrapped his hand around the handle. In a hoarse voice, I said, “Dad…”
I collapsed and burst into tears again before I could say my piece.
This was the first time, and probably the last time I would call him dad to his face.
I sobbed sorrowfully, and so did Yana.
Leaning over, I held Leonard’s body gently.
“This is the first hug between us as father and daughter. Dad, we will not get another chance in the future,” I laughed bitterly and muttered to myself.
Then I straightened my spine and removed a box of gardenia-flavored balm from my pocket. I put it next to the bed and said, “This is made from the gardenia flowers in your yard. You have always claimed that its scent is too strong, but it’s much better when made into scented balm. I intended to give it to you with the walking cane, but now…”
I choked on my words, unable to continue anymore.
I deeply regretted not finding out the truth earlier. I even foolishly thought Edwin was my father.
I shared so many similarities with Leonard, but I always assumed them to be a coincidence. I was so hopelessly stupid.
But it was pointless to regret it now. I had lost him forever. Maybe this was God’s will.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to get my emotions under control.
At this moment, a familiar chill enveloped me again.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply