The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 324

Chester tapped into Suzie's social media profile, hoping for some clues, but...

Nothing. When she added him, she must have restricted his access. Her feed was entirely blank to him.

He let out a soft sigh. Then, a strange realization hit him—earlier on the road, Suzie hadn't said a single word to Jamie.

Even if she didn't work for him anymore, Jamie was still her former employer. Why the total silent treatment?

Chester peered through the gates again. The main house was set quite far back, but he could faintly make out a large gathering of people moving through the grand foyer.

Suzie had called that man "Oliver." He was dressed in deep mourning attire, which meant the deceased was likely a parent or a grandparent.

Slowly pulling his gaze away, Chester climbed back onto his motorcycle. He rode a short distance down the road before pulling over again.

His curiosity had been amplified to an unbearable degree. Unable to focus on riding, he whipped out his phone once more.

...

Three days later. The day of Helen's funeral.

A massive, solemn procession followed the casket, making their heavy journey across the manicured lawns of the cemetery.

At the very front walked Oliver, dressed in an immaculate black suit. Flanking him on either side were Stella and Suzie, both dressed in elegant, deep black mourning dresses.

Initially, Oliver had been entirely against the idea of Suzie standing in the family line. It took Suzie and Stella going directly to Arthur to plead their case.

Arthur, utterly heartbroken by the loss of his wife, was moved beyond words by the girls' devotion. Before Helen passed away, she had spoken to Arthur, telling him not to force any romantic expectations onto Suzie and their son. Arthur knew these kids had practically grown up together. Their bond was profound, but entirely platonic.

He agreed with his late wife's wishes. He didn't want Oliver pining after a woman who saw him only as family, putting his future on hold. With both Stella and Suzie's eager consent, Arthur formally welcomed the two young women into the family as his goddaughters.

The overcast sky finally broke, sending down a steady, chilling drizzle. Beside the open grave, the soft, heart-wrenching sobs of friends and family occasionally broke the absolute, heavy silence.

Suzie's hands merely paused for a fraction of a second before she continued gently placing a white rose on the casket.

Oliver, however, slowly stood up. He stepped directly into Jamie's path before the man could reach the headstone.

"What are you doing here?" Oliver demanded, his voice like ice.

"Paying my respects," Jamie replied evenly.

"Oliver..."

Before Oliver could react, Arthur, supported by two relatives, called out weakly from the side.

Oliver didn't back down. He glanced at his father. "Dad, we don't need his fake sympathy."