Chapter 147

The wind stirred with a mournful sigh, sweeping low across the cemetery and rustling the brittle grass beneath Keegan’s feet. The sky hung overcast, colorless, as if even the heavens had gone quiet in grief. A fine mist clung to the air, too thin to call rain, but heavy enough to settle on his shoulders like a veil.

He knelt without a word.

The bouquet in his hands was a simple collection of white tulips and forget-me-nots. The petals trembled in the breeze like they, too, had something to mourn. His fingers were tight around the stems and finally began to let go of the flowers.

The gravestone before him was newly polished and immaculate, untouched by time. The earth beneath it still looked too fresh.

He reached out and brushed his thumb along the carved name.

He sighed as the inscription below the name was short and simple.

“You were loved more than you knew. And you are still.”

He bowed his head and pressed his free hand flat to the stone