The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I shook my head, trying to ignore the tears fighting their way. With all the wedding plans and trying to find Beth's dress, I had been avoiding him.

"Go now," Beth said.

"I can't," I sighed

"Why not?" Beth asked adamantly. "You can't use the wedding as an excuse now. Did you not hear Catherine? Nearly everything is sorted."

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Beth grasped hold of my hand, taking me to the empty seats in the middle of the venue. The both of us sat down, her hand still holding mine.

"You didn't even go to his funeral," Beth reminded me as she squeezed my hand. She was right. As much as I loved him, I couldn't do it. I was broken back then. The only thing I did for him was write a cheque and pay for it all. It was cashed in and used.

I didn't even go to my father's funeral. I didn't have the heart to bury him. Especially for what he had taken away from me. He didn't deserve a burial or a crowd of people paying their respects. He didn't deserve his daughter going to see him after the way he had treated her for years.

"Alena, see him," Beth urged. "You'll honestly regret it. You can finally say a proper goodbye."

I knew exactly what she meant. All those nights during our first few months in New York, she was the one who had comforted me and seen me at my worst. She was right. I had to say goodbye to him.

*

Never in my life did I think I would ever go to a cemetery to pay my respects to someone I knew. Especially someone like Daniel.

Walking past the many rows of gravestones, I could feel my heart thunder against my chest. I couldn't bear to see him like this. But this was the last goodbye I would ever say to him. The last goodbye before I moved on with my life.

A brand-new beginning with Dorian. That's what I wanted long ago.

As I kept walking, I could already see the grey polished headstones. I tried to avoid the people leaving their loved ones. My shoulder bumped into someone. I muttered a sorry and carried on walking. I didn't want to talk to anyone else. I just needed to see him.

As I got closer and closer to the bit of land where he was buried, I could feel my eyes well up with tears. My eyes landed on the headstone with his name written on it; they dropped to the flowers laying in front of him.

Someone had been visiting him. For the last two years, I thought he had no one. But I was wrong.

There, on the ground, was a small bouquet of daisies. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of someone visiting him and the memory of him telling me they were his favourite flowers because they were his mother's favourite.

Kneeling down on the ground, I took in the inscription.

In loving memory of Daniel Richards. Loved by everyone.

14th April 1982 – 29th August 2014

My fingers glided over the date as I took in a shuddering breath.

"Hey Danny," I whispered. "I'm so sorry I haven't seen you."

I wanted him to reply or say something back. But it was impossible. That's what hurt.

"After everything that happened, I just left. I didn't know what to do. I guess I fell so fast and lost you so quickly." Already, a few tears were rolling down my cheeks. "You didn't deserve what happened. You were so strong and brave and protective."

I couldn't help but remember the morning after we spent the night together. Neither of us had any idea that our time together was nearing to an end. We spent the early hours of the morning together. Our limbs intertwined as our bare bodies were against each other. The both of us were vulnerable to each other. Most of the time, his lips were pressed against mine. Every so often, we would laugh between us and hold on to each other.