The Tale Of Hearts

Chapter 112

Hazel's POV

Mom, Aunt, and even Uncle Collin were already there when he steered the car toward the cemetery. A sharp gasp escaped my lips. It had been years since I last came here. I never got to say goodbye. The day of Dad's funeral, I was lying in a hospital bed, too weak to stand, too lost in my own pain to mourn him properly. And even after that, I had only come here once,just once,because seeing where he lay, where he now rested in peace, had been unbearable. The weight of that grief never got lighter, it only settled deeper, carving itself into me like an old wound that never truly healed. And maybe... maybe it was because of the guilt. I had always blamed myself for what happened. If I hadn't begged them to take me to the amusement park on my birthday, if I had just chosen to stay home instead... Dad would still be here. Alive. Laughing with us. Taking care of Mom. That thought had haunted me for years, wrapping around my chest like an iron chain, tightening until it was hard to breathe. Maybe that's why I could never bring myself to stand before him properly—why I couldn't bear to see him laying here, cold in the ground.

I squeezed my fingertips together, pressing them so hard they ached, as my lips trembled between my teeth. From a distance, I could see Aunt holding Mom in a tight embrace, their figures framed by the same towering tree that had always stood watch over Dad's grave. The sight made my breath hitch, my chest tightening as tears gathered in my eyes and then i felt my my balled fists were gently pried open, enveloped in a firm, steady warm grasp . I turned, my vision blurred with unshed tears, and met Hyden's gaze. Worry swam in his deep eyes, his brows drawn together in quiet concern as if he could feel the storm inside me. He didn't speak right away. Instead, he lifted my fists to his lips, pressing the softest kiss against my skin, a touch so delicate, so grounding, that it nearly unraveled me.

"Do you need some time?" His voice was low, careful, as if he was afraid that anything louder might shatter me completely. I swallowed hard, blinking away the burning in my eyes, I barely managed to shake my head. "No," I whispered. "I just... I just need to do this."

Nodding at my words, he stepped out first, rounding the car to open my door. His hand stretched toward me, offering silent support, and I took it. I needed it at the moment. From the distance, I saw Aunt and Mom noticing us. Their gazes softened, but when we got closer, it was Aunt's expression that made my cheeks heat when Her eyes had dropped to our joined hands, and I could feel the teasing comment she was holding back. Flustered, I tried to pull my hand away, but Hyden only tightened his grip, his fingers lacing through mine as we walked forward. 

When we finally reached them, I went to Mom first, wrapping my arms around her. She hugged me back, her hold warm. I felt the slight tremble in her embrace, the way her body trembled didnt go unnoticed. Her eyes shimmered with silver tears, but there was also something else, something steady, something knowing. "Thank you, son," she murmured, her voice directed toward Hyden. I felt his presence still firm beside me as I buried my face into Mom's shoulder.

Then, gently, she rubbed my back, her voice softer this time. "Talk to him, honey... It's time for you to let him go, too. she stepped back, moving a little farther away with Aunt, giving me the space I hadn't dared take before. I turned to face the grave. For a moment, I hesitated, shifting awkwardly on my feet. There were so many things I had wanted to tell him—things I spoke about to his picture every day but now, standing here, the words felt stuck in my throat. I cleared it, forcing a breath. 

"I'm a little late, aren't I, Dad?" I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper as the first tear rolled down my cheek. I swallowed hard. "Your little girl is all grown up now..." Another tear followed, then another. My vision blurred, my heart aching under the weight of emotions I had keeping with all the things happened around me. "I'm sorry for not visiting you earlier, Dad. I... I didn't come because it hurt too much. Seeing you like this... it's too hard." A heavy breath shuddered out of me as I dropped my gaze, staring at the flowers placed on his grave. White lilies. Mom's favorite. Dad used to bring them for her almost every day back then and i felt like now it was Mom's turn to bring them to dad. A broken sigh slipped from my lips, and before I could sink any deeper into my grief, I felt it warm hand slipping into mine, fingers threading through my own, steady and firm. I squeezed back instinctively, grounding myself in that touch.