Chapter 770: The Final Chapter

Selene instinctively glanced at Sebastian standing in front of Isabella's tombstone. Her heart sank. Could it be...?

Sebastian had been very quiet these days, spending his time performing rites for Isabella and accompanying her on her final journey. He no longer shed tears, nor did he smile; he was like an empty shell.

People lined up to place flowers in front of Isabella's grave, pausing for a few seconds of silence before moving on. One by one, they paid their respects until the funeral ended at ten in the morning.

Sebastian finally spoke, addressing Grandma Whitmore, "Grandma, let everyone go back. I'll stay here with Isabella a little longer."

His voice was hoarse from long periods of silence, sounding almost unrecognizable. Grandma Whitmore's eyes moistened as she nodded and asked Julian to escort the relatives and friends away.

Gradually, everyone left, leaving only Lila, Selene, Andrew, and a few others behind.

Little Lucky held Sebastian's hand and suddenly said, "Daddy, I love you."

Sebastian looked down at his daughter and smiled faintly. "Rowan, Daddy and Mommy have always loved you very much."

He hoped his daughter would remember their love for her.

Little Lucky nodded. "Daddy, goodbye."

She waved her hand, and Sebastian waved back as if saying a final farewell.

Sebastian then turned to Puffy and said, "Puffy, take your sister home. You're the older brother now; take good care of her. I've spoken with your master; you don't need to return to the mountain. From now on, you're my son, Everett Whitmore."

Lila felt uneasy hearing this. It seemed like Sebastian was making arrangements for Little Lucky's future as if he were preparing for something final.

Puffy nodded solemnly. "I will protect Rowan."

A promise made for a lifetime.

Puffy took Little Lucky's hand and followed Grandma Whitmore out of the cemetery.

Sebastian watched his daughter's figure gradually fade into the distance, feeling both reluctant and at ease.

Once his daughter was far enough away, Sebastian told Lila, "You should go back too."

"Sebastian..." Lila hesitated. "Don't do anything foolish. Isabella wouldn't want you to."

Sebastian remained silent, not responding to Lila as he bent down to tidy Isabella's grave, picking up fallen leaves.

Andrew wanted to say something but was pulled away by Selene.

Isabella had been laid to rest; Sebastian's wish was fulfilled. If he had made any decisions or wanted to do something, no one could stop him now.

As they left the cemetery, Selene said, "The grave next to Isabella's is empty. I think it's meant for Sebastian."

"What?" Andrew was shocked. "Is he really planning to follow Isabella?"

"Nothing would surprise me anymore," Selene replied. "Do you think Grandma Whitmore doesn't see it? Everyone knows that what's left of Sebastian is just an empty shell."

Even Audrey in Blue Ridge knew about Isabella's burial.

Standing by her hospital window, Audrey suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness and began to cry without knowing why.

Spencer saw her as he passed by but didn't enter the room. A strange light flickered in his eyes before he walked away.

At the entrance of the emergency exit, Audrey's attending physician stood in the dim light as Spencer approached him. "I want to discharge my daughter and leave this place."

The doctor smiled eerily. "That's your decision; you can handle the discharge procedures anytime."

"Thanks," Spencer said curtly before walking away.

Who Isabella was or who Audrey was didn't matter to him anymore. What mattered was that she was his daughter, and he wouldn't let her suffer any pain.

Night fell.

Sebastian stayed from dawn until dusk beside Isabella's grave. He lay down in the adjacent grave pit and looked at Isabella's tombstone. "Isabella, it's dark now; it's time to rest."

Sleeping beside Isabella's grave brought him peace.

Sebastian fell asleep and dreamed that Isabella came to him.

"Isabella, you're here," he said in his dream as she emerged from the mist. He smiled and walked towards her.

Isabella took his hand and smiled brightly.

Sebastian embraced her; she felt warm against his dying body.

This was the person he had longed for day and night-his wife.

In their year apart, he had felt like he died countless times but still couldn't see her again.

Perhaps he shouldn't blame anyone else; this year had shown him how much he loved Isabella.

He remembered their first meeting, getting married, having a child-they had experienced so much but too briefly.

He was once a proud man and competitive by nature but forgot that after meeting Isabella, he needed to pave a future for his wife and child. All this was his fault-his retribution paid with Isabella's life and his suffering.

Looking at Isabella through tear-blurred eyes or thick mist revealed both pain and relief in her gaze.

"I'm sorry. I love you," he said with endless longing and love condensed into two unrelated sentences. Isabella shook her head with tears in her eyes and gently touched Sebastian's face.

She looked at her beloved husband whose body and spirit had endured unimaginable pain; it was time for him to rest.

She couldn't speak but held his face close for a kiss as if telling him everything was over now.

Resting against her palm brought true forgiveness; they could continue forward together now-whether through hell or heaven didn't matter as long as they were together on this journey ahead.

...

After that day Sebastian disappeared too-when Whitmore family returned next day looking for him-they found an empty grave pit where he had lain beside Isabella's tombstone.

Rumors spread outside claiming Sebastian found Isabella again-they were living secluded lives somewhere.

Fishermen claimed seeing them sailing together on ocean waves while others believed Sebastian followed his beloved wife into eternity.

Their love story continued influencing people over time-inspiring belief in love amid materialistic society.

Years later media interviewed grown-up Little Lucky who stood on terrace gazing at starry sky saying "Everett I miss my parents."

Everett adopted by Whitmore family gently draped coat over her shoulders gazing skyward together replying "Then let's visit them tomorrow."

She agreed smiling back at him "Okay."

He added "Rowan I don't want be just your brother anymore-I want protect you forever."

Rowan turned smiling "Okay!"

The End