Roma helped J get off the car as they arrived at the old house. There were already several cars parked in front of the gate. Puzzled, J identally caught a glimpse of Sven''s car as she walked into the old house.


    Was there a party today? Why was Sven here?


    Jerry was smoking in front of the door. J looked at Sally in surprise. His brother was rarely seen smoking.


    He would only have a cigarette or two when he was frustrated or depressed about something.


    It seemed like Jerry and Sally had a fight.


    Sally''s red teary eyes met those of Jerry''s. He put out the cigarette, came over to the living room, and ced his arm around his wife who held his sister''s hand.


    There was no one else in the living room but them. "Where''s Dad?" J asked.


    Jerry looked at his sister, "Upstairs, Jane..."


    He bit his lip before he said anything else. J looked at his brother in wonder, "Bro, what is it with you and Sally? Why did you make her cry? Apologize to her."


    Jerry was smart enough to know what she meant. J misunderstood the situation. She thought that Sally''s eyes were red because the two of them fought.


    Jerry took them upstairs, without saying a word. An atmosphere of gloom surrounded the whole second floor.


    Then... she heard sobs.


    J grew increasingly anxious. Who else was crying?


    She was afraid to ask Jerry who it was.


    As they approached Melody''s room, J could feel her hands shaking because the one who was crying seemed to be... her mom.


    The three of them stood by Melody''s room''s door. Inside were many people.


    E and Samuel, Vi and Vincent, Sven, and a middle-aged man that J had never seen before were there.


    Melody was in her bed, her eyes closed.


    Vi and E were crying, while everyone else wore a mncholic look. J tried her best to stop herself from trembling. She moved closer to the bed and uttered, "Grandpa, Grandma... Mom, Dad... Sven... Is Great-grandma sick?"


    Melody''s eyes


    Drugged one night by her ex-boyfriend, a mysterious man took advantage of her in an ecstatic night filled with sex. To take her revenge, she married the man, and used him. "As long as I''m alive, I''m still his legal wife, while all of you are just his mistresses.”She remained adamant even when he was involved in scandals with other women...


    he funeral, with the help of Samuel and Jerry.


    The absent-minded J was apanied by Sally. Felix was under the care of E. The twins and L stayed in Leroy Manor.


    After the seventh day following the death, a gathering was held in the old house. A lot of people came.


    Samuel thought it over and allowed an online news tform to break the news of Melody''s passing.


    Anyone with a high social standing in C Country came. There were even those who flew from abroad.


    There were also some who were there to simply pay respects and show support, despite them not personally knowing Melody.


    Melody''s students came, too.


    She had been a teacher her whole life, making an impact in numerous students'' lives.


    A myriad of students were there to see off their well-respected teacher...


    J knelt on a soft cushion prepared by E. She took no notice of people who paid their condolences. She only bothered about burning the paper money.


    Some would approach her to try tofort her, but J would either shake her head or simply nod.


    After the funeral, people started talking. Everyone who was rted to the Shaos was there, except Daniel, the great-grandson-inw.


    L and Harry greeted and received guests the whole day, but they couldn''t answer to the fact that Daniel was not there.