The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 427

At the Pollack family cemetery, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the air. Sexton and his beloved wife were to be laid to rest together, their coffins placed side by side in the chapel. The final rites were observed, awaiting burial. The wails of children punctuated the silence.

"I want my great-grandma, I want to see my great-grandma!" Gavin cried inconsolably in his mother's arms, gasping for breath between sobs. Too young to understand the concept of death, Gavin only knew that his great-grandma, who loved him dearly, lay still, her eyes forever closed to his gaze. Gavin found this unbearable! His little face turned a bright red as he bawled, demanding to lie next to Helen.

Palmer, with a gentle but firm grip, lifted Gavin, his broad hands soothing the boy's trembling back. "Gavin, your great-grandma is just sleeping," he whispered.

"Will we see her again?" Gavin asked, his eyes wide with hope.

"Yes. You can come visit her every year," Palmer reassured him. Wiping away his tears, Gavin leaned on Palmer's shoulder. "I want to see great-grandma and great-grandpa one last time."

"Of course." Holding Gavin close, Palmer approached the coffins, where the elderly couple lay dressed in elegant funeral attire, their expressions serene. Gavin wriggled, wanting to get closer. "Uncle, a little closer, please."

Horatio cautioned, "Don't let the child's tears fall on them." The thought was that sensing the presence of their great-grandson might make the departed souls hesitant to leave. Palmer nodded in understanding, slightly bending down so Gavin could gently hug and kiss his great-grandparents' faces, a gesture filled with affection and reluctance.

"Great-grandpa, great-grandma, I'll be very good, I promise. Please come visit me." Gavin's voice was shaky but determined. "I won't be picky with food anymore!" Everyone present turned away, their faces streaked with tears, moved by the child's simple, heartfelt farewell.

Palmer lifted Gavin. "Alright, great-grandpa and great-grandma need their rest. Let's not disturb them."

"Okay," Gavin agreed softly. As the coffins were lowered into the ground, the Pollack family and friends filled the air with the sound of bagpipes, marking the end of an era.

At the cemetery gates, a figure stumbled forward, disbelief and panic written all over his face. Emeric collapsed to his knees at the sight of the black and white mourning ribbons fluttering everywhere. Jacob glanced at him, his fists clenched, yet he refrained from striking Emeric in front of their parents' resting place.

"In front of mom and dad, I won't hit you, but from now on, the Pollacks will wash their hands off you! Palmer's in charge now, and no one will force you to come back." Emeric, always the black sheep, had returned not for family reunions but solely for Kendra's memorial services, blinded by his own pain, oblivious to the suffering of those around him.

Jacob wiped away a tear. "Emeric, think about what you've done! Your kids were so young when they lost their mother, and then you vanished. How could you justify that?"

Emeric covered his face, "Ulrich, I realize my mistake... I didn't get to see mom and dad one last time. Why couldn't they wait for me?"

"Wait for you? How many years did they wait! How many years did Palmer wait? Emeric, Kendra's death hurt us all, not just you!" With a heavy heart, Jacob eventually helped Emeric to his feet. "Let's go. Paying respects to mom and dad might bring them some peace."

Though unable to forgive, Jacob knew their parents would have wished for Emeric's return.