The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Yuri had long since stopped feeling the deep pang of grief.

After all, it had been over twenty years since Julie had passed away. Over those two decades, he'd gotten used to the absence, the waiting, the void left by Julie. But certain days, like today, made it hard not to feel a touch of sadness, a whisper of what could have been if Julie were still here to share life with him and Brittany.

The Lynette Family Cemetery was vast, a sprawling expanse of history and memories, mostly visited by members of the Lynette lineage.

Julie's headstone was a labor of love personally overseen by Yuri.

Majestic yet solemn.

Understated yet powerful.

Daniel approached the grave, his legs giving way beneath him as he knelt with a soft thud.

He carefully opened a picnic basket, taking out a piece of pumpkin pie, gingerly setting it down.

"Grandma, it's me, Daniel. I came to visit you."

His voice had lost its babyish lilt, edging more into the realm of a young man's.

away, held a bouquet of autumn chrysanthemums. She placed them by the grave, squatting down slightly, "Mom, Daniel, Dad, and I are doing really well. You can rest easy

recent happenings to Julie as if she could hear, then took Daniel by the hand, preparing to leave. She paused, turning back to Yuri, "Dad, if there's anything you'd like to say,

walked away, leaving Yuri alone with his

tombstone, his eyes filled with regret, "Julie, I'm sorry.

tombstone seemed to

only he had been stronger, perhaps Brittany wouldn't have had to face threats or been pushed into an engagement with

exited the cemetery, they bumped into Derek Bishop, who had

did you

"Cousin Derek-"

of Brittany's hand and rushed into Derek's arms, "Cousin Derek, I've missed you

tickling him, eliciting giggles and pleas, "Cousin Derek, stop,

her face, as Derek eventually hoisted Daniel

joy, gripping Derek's

"Where's Mr. Lynette?"

inside," Brittany replied, "When

How about coming over to the Bishop family's

Brittany nodded, "Sure."

had been swamped lately, barely having time to visit her