Once Cast-Off Wife Now Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 385

Chapter 385 The Farewell

H

Finished

Sayer stood by Virginia’s door, zipping up his jacket. “Clyde’s flight’s at dawn. I’ll drive him there myself.”

Aella reached out and tugged the zipper to the top. “Mr. Locke, thank you.”

Sayer gave her a look. “He’s my brother too. Don’t thank me. I’m leaving.”

After he left, Aella headed for the kitchen.

She made a small pot of warm rejuvenating grits, soft and rich. She coaxed Virginia to eat a few bites, then scooped another bowl and carried it to Raine.

Downstairs, in the quiet side hall, Raine sat on the couch, her face pale and her eyes empty.

Aella hesitated, unsure how to speak.

After a moment, she said softly, “You still have a lot to handle tomorrow. Eat something. You need strength for what’s ahead.”

Raine didn’t take the bowl. Her red eyes filled again. “Tomorrow’s the funeral. Are you going to see Tyrone one last time?”

Their eyes met.

Aella shook her head.

Raine turned away without another word.

Aella set the bowl on the table and glanced at Brad before quietly walking out.

The dead were gone.

Whether she saw him again or not didn’t matter anymore.

When Aella left, Raine broke down. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. “If Tyrone’s up there watching, she’s the only one he’d want to see.”

Brad guided her to sit, kneeling to slip off her wet shoes.

Raine clutched his arm, crying so hard her words came out in gasps.

“Brad, you know what he was like. My brother, my dad, my grandpa–they all had that same damn temper.”

14:13 Tue, Nov 4

Chapter 385. The Farewell

Finished

Her voice trembled. “Tyrone used to threaten me every time I messed up. He’d say he’d freeze my cards, stop my allowance, or ship me out of the country. But he never did it. He just wanted to scare me. That was how he showed love.”

Her sobs grew heavier. “He treated Aella the same way. Yeah, he hurt her. But deep down, all he wanted was to keep her close. He didn’t mean to destroy her.”

Her voice cracked again. “I get why she won’t forgive him. But he’s gone now. Why can’t she look at him one last time?”

Brad pulled her into his arms, his hand steady against her back.

He spoke quietly. “Raine, Aella and Tyrone were done long before this. She’s only here for you and Virginia. It’s not about him anymore.”

The words stung, but they were true.

Raine’s crying slowed. The pain stayed carved in her face. Deep down, she already knew Brad was right.

At dawn, the sky turned gray, and the first rain of winter began to fall.

The drizzle wasn’t heavy, but it soaked everything it touched.

By morning, the Winter estate was crowded with mourners.

Aella stayed upstairs with Virginia, never leaving her side.

Visitors came one after another. Their eyes said everything–some cold, some pitying, some sharp with blame, others soft with sympathy.

Aella kept her head down, her face calm, her expression steady.

When the last guest left, she stepped outside to breathe.

Virginia noticed she hadn’t returned. She pushed herself out of bed, her hands shaking.

Aella stood under the veranda, the wind blowing rain onto her hair and shoulders.

Her face was wet, though it was impossible to tell if it was from tears or rain.

Virginia stopped at the doorway and saw her staring toward the southwest–the direction of the crematorium. Tears welled in her eyes again, and she turned back into the room.

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14:13 TUO, Nov.

hante Di The Paras

Two hours later, Brad called. It was time for the burial. Time for us to go.

Aella helped Virginia into the car. The ride was silent.

Filation

Virginia didn’t cry. Her eyes were empty, but grief hung in the air like thunder that never struck.

When they reached the base of the hill, Aella helped her out. Relatives who had been waiting stepped forward to guide Virginia up the slope.

Aella stood still, watching them go.

Then a black umbrella appeared over her head. She turned and saw Mason.

He was dressed in black, his face solemn. “Come on. I’ll walk with you.”

They climbed together, rain tapping softly against the umbrella.

Halfway up, Aella looked ahead and saw a sea of black suits. The crowd was massive.

Last night, the Winter Group had released its official statement. “Company president Tyrone Winter dies of sudden cardiac arrest. Mr. Edwin Winter passes soon after from grief.”

They had covered up Tyrone’s medical records and the truth about Edwin’s death.

The tragedy had shattered the family.

The Winters and the McCarthys had agreed to keep the funeral simple. The cremation happened the same day.

But the turnout was overwhelming. Business leaders, politicians, and even foreign royals had flown in overnight.

It was proof of how powerful the Winters were–and how far Tyrone’s influence had reached.

When Virginia’s cries echoed through the rain, Aella turned her face away.

Minutes passed.

Then Virginia’s body gave out. She collapsed beside her son’s grave.

Raine fell to her knees, clutching the cold headstone with shaking hands. She screamed Tyrone’s name again and again, her voice breaking until there was nothing left but silence and

rain.

14:13 Tue, Nov

Once Cast–off Wife, Now Untouchable Queen