Chapter 60

St. Paul’s Cathedral had never held a more unusual funeral service. At Emma’s insistence, Charlotte and baby Frankie were present in the front pew, their soft baby sounds occasionally punctuating the solemnity with reminders of continuing life. Franklin would have approved—he’d always believed children belonged wherever family gathered.

The church was packed beyond capacity. Hockey legends sat beside business executives, longtime household staff mixed with socialites, and fans who’d never met Franklin but understood his importance to Boston sports filled every available space. Outside, local news crews broadcast the service to thousands more who wanted to pay their respects to the man who’d built a hockey dynasty and raised a granddaughter who’d carried it forward.

Emma sat between Alek and Natasha, holding Charlotte while trying to process the magnitude of her grandfather’s impact. She’d known Franklin was respected, even feared in business circles. But seeing the diver