Chapter 1116

Accident.

Another accident.

Anastasia knew Tavon had died in a freak fall. It all happened so fast-too fast to wrap her head around, and deep down, it planted a seed of doubt.

After all, he was her father. Of course she had to go to Willowbrook.

She broke the news to Salma while Salma was playing with little Emmie. Emmie, sweet as sugar, giggled when Salma asked, "Do you love Grandma?"

With bright eyes and a voice clear as a bell, Emmie answered, "I love you."

Salma grinned, teasing, “Where is your love?"

Emmie smiled even wider, pressed her tiny hand to her chest, and said, “Love is in my heart."

Salma couldn't help but burst out laughing, the house echoing with her joy.

Watching them, Anastasia's heart ached. She almost couldn't bring herself to say it —to shatter that happy moment with such heavy news.

But he was gone. She couldn't let him leave this world without a proper goodbye. "Mom," Anastasia said, the words catching in her throat, "let's pack up. We need to go to Willowbrook. I've already bought the tickets."

Salma, still basking in the fun with her granddaughter, barely looked up. "Why Willowbrook? Your dad's not there. Isn't he at Nabb Mount? You want me to go to Willowbrook for work or something?"

"Mom... Dad's gone." Anastasia's voice wavered, and her eyes reddened instantly.

Salma's smile faltered, her whole body going still. “Ana, what did you say? Gone? What do you mean?”

"Mom, Dad's gone." Anastasia fought to keep her tears at bay. "There was an accident at Nabb Mount. He didn't make it."

The color drained from Salma's face. It hit her like a bolt from the blue.

Herman went with them to Willowbrook. By the time they arrived, it was afternoon.

Herman had already found out where Tavon was buried.

It wasn't until they stood in front of Tavon's gravestone that Salma really believed it. He was gone.

No warning. No sign. Just gone.

Salma went white as a sheet, all her strength draining away. Her knees shook; the world spun. If Anastasia hadn't been holding her up, she would've collapsed.

Anastasia was just as stunned. Even on holidays, Tavon never missed Riverdale. The last time they spoke, he'd called just to remind her to be good to Salma.

He'd been so sentimental on the phone, saying so many things.

No one could've guessed their next meeting would be like this.

Salma finally broke down. She

sobbed, her grief spilling out. "Tavon, how could you leave me like this? You rascal you still owed

amer How

could you go before me without even saying goodbye..."

She dropped to her knees in front of the grave, crying and scolding Tavon all at

once.

It wasn't until Anastasia saw the gravestone with her own eyes that she finally accepted the truth: Tavon was really gone.

Herman stood silently at her side, holding her hand, a quiet anchor as she cried.

“Herman, it's all so sudden. My dad... he left us too suddenly." Anastasia's tears soaked Herman's shoulder.

He was gone before they'd even had the chance to truly reconcile.

Regret gnawed at her. Why had she been so stubborn? Why didn't she make peace sooner Now she couldn't even mourn him as bis daughter.

Life is so fragile.

No one ever knows when the end will come.

Suddenly, a voice called out behind them.

"What are you doing here?"

Sean.

Anastasia and Herman turned around. Sean stood there, thin and pale. They couldn't help but frown.

It had been nearly a year since they last saw him.

Once handsome and full of life, Sean

now looked gaunt, almost

unrecognizable. His cheeks were hollow his face drawn and sallow He seemed so fragile, as a gust of wind might blow him away, and there were streaks of gray in his hair.

He wasn't even thirty yet. It was shocking what had he been through?

Anastasia squared her shoulders. "I'm Tavon's daughter too. Of course I came to say goodbye."

She braced herself for Sean to push them away, but he just coughed weakly and stepped forward, laying paper offerings at Tavon's grave.

Anastasia couldn't help herself. “You were there after the accident at Nabb Mount. How did Dad really die?"

All she'd heard were rumors. She didn't know the full story.

Sean's answer was simple: "An accident."

Anastasia almost flinched. In just a few days, two people in her life were gone—both

to "accidents."