The wind moved softly through the cemetery, but Aurora felt none of its calm.
She stood before Ryan's grave, her body stiff, her heart heavy. Tears blurred her vision as she gently placed a bouquet of white roses against the cold stone.
"Ryan…" her voice broke, barely more than a whisper. "I miss you."
Silence answered her.
Her chest tightened as memories crashed into her—laughter, late-night talks, the warmth of someone who once felt permanent. Now, all that remained… was a name carved in stone.
Guilt clawed at her.
She should have come sooner.
She should have been there.
Maybe… things would have been different.
Her fingers trembled as she brushed the grave lightly.
"I brought your favourites…" she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "You always loved these…"
"Pathetic."
The voice shattered the moment.
Aurora stiffened.
She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Adam.
Her brother stepped closer, a cruel smirk twisting his lips as his eyes landed on her tear-streaked face.
"Still crying?" he scoffed. "You act like he's coming back."
Aurora's hands clenched.
"Watch your mouth," she said coldly.
But Adam only laughed, slow and mocking.
"You really haven't accepted it, have you? He's dead, Aurora. Gone. You'll never see him again."
Each word hit like a blade.
Aurora's eyes burned, anger rising fast, sharp, uncontrollable.
"How dare you?" she snapped, turning to face him. "Ryan was your cousin too! Show some respect!"
"Respect?" Adam sneered. "For him?"
He stepped closer, voice dropping into something darker.
"He was weak. Always in the way. Honestly…" he shrugged. "I'm glad he's gone."
The world seemed to stop.
Aurora didn't think.
Her hand moved before her mind could catch up—
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the cemetery.
Adam's head snapped to the side.
"Get out." Her voice shook, but her eyes were blazing. "Get out of here!"
He slowly turned back, rubbing his cheek, his expression darkening.
"You've lost your mind."
"Leave!" she shouted, pointing toward the gates. "And don't come back!"
For a moment, it looked like he might say more.
But instead, he scoffed and turned away, walking off without another word.
Silence returned.
Aurora's strength broke instantly.
She collapsed beside the grave, tears pouring freely now.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'm so sorry, Ryan… I couldn't protect you…"
The wind passed gently through the trees, carrying a strange, quiet stillness.
And for a brief moment…
Aurora felt it.
Peace.
She stayed there, lost in memories, in pain, in love that refused to fade.
Until finally…
She stood.
"I love you, Ryan," she said softly. "Rest in peace."
Then she turned and walked away.
A little lighter.
A little emptier.
Meanwhile…
Ryan wasn't dead.
Far from it.
He gripped the steering wheel of the sleek car Don Alessandro had gifted him, a smirk playing on his lips as the engine roared beneath him.
"Drive like you own the street."
That was what he was told.
And that was exactly what he was doing.
Speed. Power. Freedom.
While somewhere else…
Aurora stood at his fake grave, crying her heart out.
Elsewhere…
Since Ryan's "death," Adam had taken control.
All of it.
The company. The assets. Everything.
And power had changed him.
No—
It had revealed who he truly was.
He ruled like a tyrant, treating the staff like nothing, accusing them wrongly, crushing anyone beneath him without hesitation.
To them—
He wasn't a leader.
He was a wicked boss.