Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 276

E

“Be reasonable, hand it to me,” Aaron coaxed patiently, b

Ellie would not let go.

“Aaron, we cannot delay any longer,” the officiant insisted, calling over two relatives who forcibly pried the urn from Ellie’s grip. Before she could react, a loud crash echoed as the urn hit the ground.

“Dad!” Ellie screamed, collapsing to the earth, finally breaking apart.

Ellie was held back by family and friends, helplessly watching as Harold’s ashes were taken away, her heart–wrenching sobs filling the air.

From a distance, Alex watched Ellie, his heart aching until it felt like it might burst. He was overwhelmed with emotion, desperately trying to hold it together as tears mixed with raindrops, streaming down his cheeks, his feet unconsciously pulling him closer to Ellie.

“Alex.” Layton stopped him.

Harold was buried in the cemetery, near several graves of the Thompson family’s ancestors. After the burial, the officiant led everyone back for a meal, but Aaron insisted on staying behind.

Other Thompson family members left. At Harold’s gravesite were only Aaron, Ellie, Alex, and his parents, along with Lacey, Layton, and Diana. The rain kept falling, showing no signs of stopping.

held an umbrella, while the others stood exposed in the rain. Alex, with red–rimmed eyes, knelt at

I need to talk to you in front of Mr. Thompson.”

finally turning her gaze towards Alex. Their eyes met in a shared moment of pain. Ellie managed to croak, “Speak.” She could handle any words now, as nothing could be more brutal than the reality of Harold’s

internal struggle, Alex finally spoke, “Ellie, the one who saved me was you, not Haley. The day Mr. Thompson died,

your forgiveness; I just want a chance to make things right.” Only the sound of rain could be heard. Aaron held Ellie, gently soothing her trembling

kneeling before Harold’s grave, anguish clear in his voice. “Who gave my dad a

Ellie, tired and leaning against Aaron,

into Alex’s tormented eyes, Ellie pressed on, “How do you plan to

relied on crutches for over twenty years, barely surviving on many medications. He suffered continuous torment from numerous ailments. How will you make up for that?”

reply. Ellie knelt losing herself as she gripped his collar, weeping uncontrollably. “My dad watched my mother work alone, yet he could do nothing.

by guilt, called a cripple, and now, what will you offer in

storm, Ellie pounded her fists against Alex. “My dad and I were separated for over a decade; he promised to live

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Chapter 276

died, he left not a single word. What will you offer in compensation?”

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