𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒾𝒻𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃

Chapter 15: The Final Goodbye

The air was heavy with sorrow, the kind that clung to your chest and refused to let go. The soft hum of condolences filled the church, blending with the faint strains of music coming from the organ. People were gathered in muted blacks and greys, their faces marked with grief, each of them carrying their own piece of the weight Angelo's absence left behind.

Aphoria stood near the casket, her hands trembling as they clutched a folded handkerchief. She hadn't spoken much since the morning, letting the motions of the day carry her forward like a leaf caught in a stream. Now, as she stared at the polished wood, she felt her knees weaken, as though the gravity of the moment was pulling her down.

Sincere was by her side, a steady presence. He placed a gentle hand on her lower back, a silent reminder that she wasn't alone.

The pastor began to speak, his voice calm yet weighted with empathy. "Today, we gather not just to mourn the loss of Angelo but to celebrate the joy he brought into our lives. A brother, a friend, a light to so many of us."

Aphoria's breath hitched as memories surged forward. She could see Angelo's bright smile, hear his infectious laugh, feel the way he used to hug her so tightly it felt like he was trying to squeeze the sadness out of her. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, quickly followed by another.

When it came time for people to share their memories, Aphoria hesitated. Sincere nudged her gently. "You don't have to, but if you want to... I'll walk up there with you."

She nodded, clutching his arm as they made their way to the podium. The room seemed to blur as she stood in front of the crowd, her voice trembling as she began.

"Angelo wasn't just my little brother. He was my heart," she started, pausing to take a deep breath. "He had this way of making everything better, even when it felt like the world was falling apart. He was my anchor, my reason to keep going. I—" Her voice broke, and she felt Sincere's hand on her shoulder, grounding her.

"I don't know how I'm going to live without him," she continued, her voice cracking. "But I know he wouldn't want me to give up. He'd want me to keep fighting, to keep loving, to keep living. And I'll try. For him."

A soft murmur of support rippled through the crowd as she stepped back, her legs barely holding her up. Sincere helped her back to her seat, his arm wrapped protectively around her.

The service ended with a final hymn, and then came the hardest part—the burial.

At the gravesite, Aphoria stood at the edge, clutching a single white rose. As the casket was lowered into the ground, she whispered, "I love you, Angelo. Always."

The rose slipped from her fingers, landing softly on the casket as the first shovelful of dirt was placed over it.

Sincere pulled her into his arms, letting her cry into his chest as the weight of the moment threatened to crush her. Around them, the crowd began to disperse, leaving the siblings' final goodbye etched in the quiet of the afternoon.

As they walked away, Aphoria glanced back one last time. She knew the pain wouldn't leave her anytime soon, but she also knew that Angelo's memory would never fade. He would live on in her heart, guiding her through the storms, reminding her of the love they shared.

And somehow, she would find the strength to keep going.

Author's Note: This chapter was difficult to write but necessary to capture the depth of Aphoria's grief and love for her brother. If you connected with this chapter, please leave a comment or vote. Your support means everything. Until next time, my beautiful people. 🖤