Chapter 357

Hannah moved with aching slowness toward her mother, Margaret, the woman she had ached to see for so long.

The moment Hannah reached her mother's wheelchair, she dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms tightly around Margaret's frail frame, clinging as if she could keep her mother from slipping away again.

Margaret's eyes welled up as she fixed her gaze on Hannah. A raw cry of sorrow and relief tore from her lips,striking deep into Hannah's chest and unraveling her restraint.

"Anna.., Finally, I get to see you. I thought I'd never lay my eyes on you again," Margaret murmured, her trembling hand clutching hard at Hannah's sleeve.

"Mom, I'm here. I'm right here..." Hannah's voice cracked. She buried her face in Margaret's lap, pouring all her grief and despair into that long-yearned-for embrace.

Claude stepped quickly to their side, lowering himself into a crouch, his expression shifting with a storm of emotions as he watched Hannah clinging to the wheelchair. His voice came low and careful.·"Anna, did he let you come?"

Hannah drew a shaky breath, struggling to gather herself as she lifted her head. Her voice was quiet,almost fragile, when she answered, "Yes."

Her eyes drifted past Claude, settling on the coffin ahead and the priest waiting in solemn silence.

The priest remained solemn, waiting quietly for the rite to continue.

Hannah turned her head toward Claude, her voice hushed. "Claude,what's next?"

His eyes followed hers, his face settling into a heavy calm. "Only the last step remains. The family must cover the coffin with soil."

The casket was lowered into the earth, the final ritual calling for the closest family members to scatter soil

over it-a symbolic farewell.

Hannah drew herself upright and stepped toward the open grave. The priest gave a slight nod, granting her permission to proceed.

An attendant moved forward, presenting her with a deep brown wooden bowl brimming with soil.

Hannah's fingers trembled as she scooped up a fistful of soil. Drawing in a shaky breath, she let the earth fall in a slow cascade across her father's coffin. "Dad..." Her voice slipped out in a hush, meant for her own ears. "I came to say goodbye. Rest easy now..."

A few steps away, Vincent stood unmoving beneath a black umbrella, his tall figure casting a sharp silhouette against the mourners. His gaze, cold and unblinking, never wavered from Hannah.

When the coffin descended inch by inch, the crowd lowered their heads in unison, a heavy silence cloaking the cemetery.

Vincent hesitated briefly before bowing deeply, his expression unreadable yet reverent.

The funeral ceremony concluded.

Low murmurs drifted as people slowly dispersed into the gray afternoon.

Margaret clung desperately to Hannah's hand, her frail fingers locked tight as though terrified her daughter might vanish again.

"Anna, don't go... Please, don't leave me..." Margaret's frail voice wavered with desperation.

"Mom,don't fret. I'm not leaving you," Hannah murmured, clutching Margaret's cold hand tightly, her own voice choked with emotion. Now that she had broken free, she vowed never to be dragged back again.

Claude moved closer, a steady presence at their backs, his stance protective. "Anna, I'll take you away," he promised, his words quiet but firm.

Hannah's pulse quickened. She gripped the wheelchair handles and pushed Margaret toward the narrow side path that wound away from the main cemetery road. Leaning close, she whispered urgently to Claude,"Be careful!" Her gaze darted anxiously toward Vincent, a shadow of dread crossing her eyes.H′S

brought men with him."

Claude caught the worry glinting in her eyes, and the sight struck him like a blade. She was worried about him. A faint smile tugged at his lips. He lifted his hand, resting it lightly on Hannah's hand, which pushed Margaret's wheelchair. "Don't be afraid," he murmured.

His glare swept the men closing in, forged with resolve and unflinching. "No matter what happens today, I'll see you out of here safely."

Then, voice low but firm, he ordered, "Go!" His body angled protectively in front of her as she steered the wheelchair quickly toward the narrow side path leading to the temporary parking lot.

Hannah pressed her lips together and nodded, wordless, her pace quickening.

But just as the wheels picked up speed, Vincent's commanding voice rose above the hush of the crowd."Come back to me-don't make me say it again!"

Hannah stiffened but kept her grip steady on the wheelchair handles, refusing to falter. Every ounce of her strength went into pushing Margaret forward, desperate to break free.

Claude's eyes narrowed with a razor-sharp glint. He lifted his hand in a decisive command. From the crowd,men in tailored black suits appeared as if conjured-silent, disciplined, and deadly. In a heartbeat,they formed a living barricade, shielding Hannah and Margaret while cutting off Vincent's line of sight and pursuit.

Vincent froze in place, his dark gaze locked on Hannah's retreating figure. Fury churned in his chest-she was slipping away from him yet again. Why couldn't she just remain where she belonged-beside him?

"You think I'll let you steal her away like before, after everything that's happened?" Claude's voice thundered with iron resolve,his stance unyielding.

Vincent's lips twisted into a dangerous sneer across the human wall. "Go ahead. Try me."