The next day, at the cemetery.
The weather was particularly fitting. It was a chilly spring morning.
It was gloomy and drizzling, the stone steps were washed clean by the rainwater. Along the path, the bamboo was shrouded in the misty rain, appearing hazy green, the edges indistinct.
Joyce, Luther and Anderson arrived at the cemetery by car.
She wore a black blouse, a black skirt, and a black hat, with black veil hanging from the brim.
Luther also wore a black suit and tie, looking solemn and respectful.
Cecelia and Ralph were already there.
Anderson also wore a little black suit, his small body holding a big bouquet of lilies.
Dewey stood to the side, offering a funeral wreath.
Cecelia's confidante Frank held umbrellas for them.
The gravestone was washed clean by the rainwater, the names Xia Zhenhai and Mia stood out clearly.
Anderson walked up and placed the lilies in front of the gravestone. Then he returned to Joyce's side.
Joyce put her arm around Anderson's small shoulders, her expression grave.
Cecelia gazed at the gravestone. "Dad, I finally have the face to see you. Look, these are the descendants of our Heath family, they are all outstanding. I finally found my own daughter back. Back then you discovered the truth but unfortunately lost your life. You must have left this world with regrets. Now you can finally rest in peace."
She looked at Mia's gravestone as well.
It had only recently been moved here from the Cole family's private cemetery. Mia passed away early, and the Cole family thought Xia Zhenhai would remarry, so they insisted on burying Mia in their family cemetery. Later when the two families became estranged and ceased contact, there wasn't even a photo on Mia's gravestone.
After finding out the truth, Cecelia discussed with Leng Qiong to move Mia's grave from the Cole family cemetery here, to be buried together with Xia Zhenhai, and they added a photo of Mia from when she was young to the gravestone. It was one of the few treasured photos found in the old Cole family manor.
"Mom and dad, you are finally buried together. Your wishes have been fulfilled." Cecelia also walked up and placed a bouquet. "May you be together for eternity, never to part again."
Ralph looked at the photo on the gravestone, then glanced at Joyce.
He sighed, "Mother, we were able to find my sister back thanks to you. Joyce looks almost exactly like you when you were young."
Luther said coldly, "Charlotte tried everything, destroyed all evidence, and even murdered Dr. Bird. She thought she could get away with it, but in the end she was defeated by blood ties. What's real cannot be faked, what's fake cannot be made real."
Anderson also marveled, "Wow, mommy really does look just like grandma."
Joyce smiled slightly, taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, the scent permeating her heart.
Cecelia gently patted Anderson on the head.
The family stood together at the cemetery, exchanging smiles.
The rain stopped and the skies gradually cleared. It was all in the past now.
In the Capital, at Peninsula Bank.
A man came to the counter to access his private safe deposit box.
"Hello, I've come to retrieve some items from my private safe deposit box."
His voice was magnetic and low, very pleasant to listen to.
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