Chapter 16

                                    

                                          
Lilian Carson POV
I couldn't stand Alexander after last night. I didn't even want to see him, but today was Amaya's funeral, and I had to attend it no matter what. Titus practically ordered me to behave properly. It's not like I can leave, either. I had to put aside my anger and focus on paying my respects to Amaya. 
I heard my dad would be present today. I need to talk to him; face-to-face conversation is better. He doesn't pick up my calls anyway. I hadn't seen my dad in months, and there were so many things I wanted to say to him. I hoped that being in the same room would finally give me the opportunity to address our strained relationship.
Alexander asked for the funeral to be private. He doesn't want many people to be here. More like, many people didn't know that he had a sister. Alexander and his family are so weird. No wonder people are afraid of them. The less you know about someone, the stranger and more dangerous they seem. 
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and I couldn't recognise myself. My eyes looked dull, and dark circles had formed underneath them from months of sleepless nights. I picked out a plain black dress from my closet. I needed something simple and understated to match the sombre tone of the occasion. As I slipped into the dress, I couldn't help but wonder if anyone would even notice my presence at the funeral. Alexander had always been a private person, and it seemed fitting that his sister's farewell would be a quiet affair. Standing in front of the mirror, I realised that the darkness in my eyes mirrored the void I felt inside—a sense of loss that seemed to engulf both Alexander's family and anyone who dared to get close to them.
I didn't know Amaya personally, but I kind of felt bad for her. She lost her life at a younger age. Although I doubt if she was any better than Alexander. It was rumoured that Amaya had led a troubled life, much like her brother. Rumblings of addiction and a troubled past followed her, making it difficult for anyone to truly understand her journey. As I stood there, adjusting my dress, I couldn't help but wonder if Amaya's death was a consequence of the same demons that haunted Alexander. 
I tied my hair into a bun, thinking about the parallel paths of destruction that seemed to plague the siblings. Perhaps both Amaya and Alexander were victims of their tumultuous upbringing, shaped by the same toxic environment that had let their demons take hold. As I fastened my earrings, I couldn't help but hope that Amaya had found peace in death, finally freed from the shackles of her troubled existence. I feel like I am falling down a rabbit hole. 
I took my purse and left the room. There was a gloomy feeling in the air. The bodyguards were waiting for me outside, as usual. I settled down inside the car and closed my eyes, trying to push away the unsettling thoughts that had consumed my mind. As the vehicle began to move, the city streets blurred outside the window, mirroring the chaos that lingered within me. 
Soon the car stopped. I opened my eyes to find myself in front of a towering building. As I walked into the funeral home, the sombre atmosphere weighed heavily on my shoulders. The scent of flowers filled the air, mingling with the hushed whispers and occasional sniffles of the mourners. I made my way towards the front, where a large portrait of the deceased stood, surrounded by flickering candles. The sight of their crying faces brought a bittersweet wave of memories flooding back, reminding me of my mother's funeral. 
*Flashback*
"Daddy, why did Mommy leave us?" I asked my dad. He was standing beside me wearing a black shirt. His hair was messy, and his face looked glum and rough. His eyes were puffy and reddish. He slowly turned towards me. With a heavy sigh, he knelt down and held my tiny hands in his. "Sweetheart, sometimes people leave us because they have to go to a better place," he said, his voice trembling. "Your mommy was very sick, and she couldn't stay with us anymore. But she will always be with us in our hearts." I nodded, tears streaming down my face as I tried to understand what he was saying.