Chapter 137

Sean POV

I stood among the weathered headstones, watching Angela from a distance. She knelt before Elizabeth's grave, her slender frame bent in grief, whispering words I couldn't hear. The gray sky hung heavy above us, mirroring the weight pressing against my chest.

Thomas shifted uncomfortably beside me. "Should we wait in the car, Mr. Shaw?"

"No," I replied, my eyes never leaving Angela. "I'll stay."

I hadn't seen such raw pain on Angela's face since the day I'd found her at her father's hospital bedside years ago. Even from this distance, I could see her shoulders shaking slightly with silent sobs.

Elizabeth had meant everything to her-more mother than grandmother-in-law-and I wondered if bringing her here had been a mistake. The finality of the grave might break something inside her that couldn't be repaired.

Three years ago, as we'd lowered Elizabeth's casket into the frozen December ground, I had hated Angela. Hated how she could be so cruel, not even coming to see Elizabeth before she died-Elizabeth, who had given her so much. But now, watching her grief-stricken face as she knelt before the grave, I couldn't bring myself to condemn her anymore.

A rumble of thunder rolled across the cemetery, echoing between the marble monuments.

"Mr. Shaw," Thomas's voice cut through my thoughts, "it looks like it's going to rain heavily. Should we alert Ms. Wilson?"

I glanced at the darkening sky, feeling the pressure dropping rapidly. "Go find some umbrellas."

Thomas nodded and hurried toward the cemetery office near the entrance. Minutes later, he returned with two large black umbrellas.

"Give them to me," I said, taking both from his hands.

I approached Angela slowly, careful not to startle her. She sat on the ground now, oblivious to the mud staining her expensive Burberry coat. Her fingers traced Elizabeth's name carved into the stone, her lips moving in silent conversation.

"It's going to rain," I announced, my voice sounding harsher than intended.

No response.

"Angela." I tried again.

She remained frozen, lost in her grief. The first drops of rain began to fall, pattering softly on the surrounding graves. I stepped closer, opening one umbrella and holding it over her. The rain intensified quickly, drumming against the taut fabric above us.

Finally, I crouched down and gently grasped her waist, pulling her to her feet. "You need to come back now."

Thomas rushed over to help, taking the second umbrella from my hand.

"What's the point of this?" I asked, gesturing toward the grave. "Elizabeth is gone. No amount of crying will bring her back."

Angela's head snapped up, her red-rimmed eyes suddenly blazing with anger. "This is all because of you. It's your fault."

I stared at her, confused. "What?"

"If it weren't for you," she spat, "I never would have left Elizabeth. I wouldn't have missed saying goodbye to her."

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, bewildered. "You were the one who wanted the divorce."

Angela's laugh was bitter, almost hysterical. "I wanted the divorce? Is that what you think?"

She pushed away from me, stepping back into the rain. I moved forward immediately, shielding her again and gripping her waist to prevent her retreat.

"You'll get soaked," I warned.

"That's none of your concern," she replied coldly.

I caught her wrist. "Of course it's my concern. Why don't we just clear the air right here, in front of Elizabeth?"

Something flickered in Angela's eyes-recognition, perhaps, that a cemetery wasn't the place for such a confrontation. Her shoulders sagged slightly, the fight draining from her.

"I have nothing to say to you," she murmured. "Let's just go."

But I couldn't let her words go unchallenged. "What did you mean? That you wouldn't have left Elizabeth if it weren't for me? What exactly are you saying?"

Her eyes met mine, cold and distant. "Exactly what it sounds like. Can't you understand plain English?" She yanked her hand free of my grip.

In that moment, Angela's face went ashen. Her eyes rolled back, and she crumpled before I could process what was happening.

"Ms. Wilson!" Thomas cried out in alarm.

I caught her before she hit the ground, her body alarmingly light in my arms. Her skin had turned a sickly pale, and panic gripped me as I felt for her pulse.

"Is she alright?" Thomas hovered anxiously, umbrella forgotten.

"Give me that," I ordered, nodding at the umbrella he still held. I shifted Angela in my arms, cradling her against my chest as I stood.

Thomas immediately abandoned his own umbrella to hold one over us, rain soaking him instantly as he hurried alongside me toward the car. My own back was getting drenched, the rain seeping through my suit jacket, but I barely noticed. All I could focus on was Angela's shallow breathing against my neck.

Once inside the car, I carefully laid Angela across the back seat, her head resting on my lap. Thomas handed me a dry towel from the car's storage compartment, and I gently dabbed at the raindrops on her face and hair.

"Drive to the hospital," I instructed the driver.

Thomas, dripping wet himself, offered me another towel. "Mr. Shaw, your suit is soaked through. You should dry off."

I took the towel but continued tending to Angela, meticulously ensuring she was completely dry before finally running the cloth over my own damp hair and shoulders.

Halfway to the hospital, I felt Angela stir. Her eyelids fluttered open, disorientation evident in her gaze as she took in her surroundings. She noticed the blasting heat in the car, then Thomas's wet clothes as he sneezed. Finally, her eyes found mine, tucked into the corner of the seat, watching her silently. I saw her gaze linger on my soaked jacket.

"Mr. Shaw," Thomas said, unaware Angela was awake, "your suit is completely wet. Aren't you cold?"

Before I could answer, the driver announced, "We're almost at the hospital, Mr. Shaw."

"Ms. Wilson!" Thomas exclaimed, finally noticing she was conscious. "You're awake?"

"Yes," she replied softly. "We don't need to go to the hospital. Let's return to the hotel."

Thomas looked to me questioningly. "Mr. Shaw?"

The driver pulled to the side of the road, waiting for new instructions. I continued watching Angela, searching her face. Something had shifted between us-something I couldn't quite define. After a long moment, I nodded.

"Back to the hotel," I said quietly.