Ariana couldnât glimpse its contents from where she stood; all she could do was watch the ominous black box settle on the platform from afar.
Her breath hitched, her hands started to tremble of their own accord.
She had to keep reminding herself that it couldnât be real, that Theodore couldnât possibly be in that box.
Yet the gnawing uncertainty tugged at her.
It had been too long since sheâd last seen Theodore.
Anxiety pooled within her like an unwelcome guest.
Why hadnât he surfaced yet? When would he spring into action?
Could she bear to see the funeral rites concluded, to witness Theodoreâs existence being erased from the world?
Heavy-hearted, a crimson hue tinged Arianaâs eyes.
Her fists clenched; she repeated a mantra to herself-wait, just a little longer.
If she could endure, maybe he would appear.
As these thoughts danced in her mind, the priest switched on the microphone, a religious text cradled in his hand, and addressed the gathering with the opening Line of his eulogy.
âWelcome to Aimee Wallaceâs funeral.
â
The utterance sparked an immediate furor among the gathering.
âAimee Wallace? Isnât this Theodore Andersonâs memorial?â
âWho is Aimee Wallace? Why have I not heard of her?â
âIs something amiss? Did the priest mispronounce the name?â
Abruptly, murmurs filled the air.
Ariana, too, was dumbfounded, momentarily frozen in place, thoughts eluding her.
After a few moments, she recognized the name Aimee Wallace as Theodoreâs mother.
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Simultaneously, Darian, after a moment of stunned silence, erupted in an indignant and agitated outburst, âWhat is this nonsense?! I didnât pay you a kingâs ransom to engage in this absurdity!â
His tone was harsh, his glare threatening, but underneath, there was an undeniable undercurrent of panic he couldnât conceal at the sound of that name.
Sharon too, was caught off guard.
Her usually rosy complexion turned ashen.
Oblivious to Darianâs rage, the priest calmly addressed the attendees, âThere is no error.
This is the funeral of Darianâs former spouse, the erstwhile matriarch of the Anderson family, Aimee Wallace, which was fifteen years overdue.
â
His declaration immediately sent shockwaves through the crowd, particularly amongst the business associates who had become acquainted with the Anderson Group only after Darianâs ascension.
They were completely taken aback by the revelation of Darianâs ex-spouse.
âWhat? He was married before? This is the first Iâve heard of herâ¦â
âAnd if itâs his ex-wifeâs funeral, then where is Theodore?â
Whispers in the crowd increased in volume and frequency, with conjectures painting Darian in an increasingly negative Light.
âSomethingâs amiss! Halt the proceeding: shaky, face pale, and forehead dotted with beads of perspiration.