Chapter 139

Layla’s burial*

The family stood somberly in the cemetery, their white attire a stark contrast to the sorrow that shrouded their faces. 

They had gathered to bid a final farewell to Layla, their beloved daughter, sister, and friend. The priest's voice rose and fell in a mournful cadence, his words a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.

Hazel's body shook with uncontrollable sobs, her tears falling like autumn rain upon the dry earth. 

She couldn't bear the thought of laying Layla to rest, of consigning her vibrant spirit to the cold, dark ground. 

Her mind reeled with memories of their laughter, their whispers, their shared dreams. The pain of her loss was a heavy burden, one that threatened to consume her at every turn.

The priest's words echoed through the stillness, a eulogy that celebrated Layla's life even as it acknowledged her tragic fate. 

"May her soul find peace in the arms of the Almighty," he intoned, his voic