Cornelius'' funeral was grandly organized with the assistance of both the Becketts and Taylors.


    As the day came to a close, everyone from the Harper Group departed, leaving Landon alone, kneeling


    before his grandfather''s photo for an extended period.


    Alyssa returned home to keep Winstonpany while Jasper remained with his best friend until the


    end.


    "Landon, you''re exhausted. You should go home and get some rest," Jasper urged, attempting to help


    him up, but Landon''s resolve was unyielding; he couldn''t even budge him.


    "I can''t rest. I need to arrange Angelina''s funeral too," he responded almost mechanically.


    Jasper''s heart ached at the sight of Landon''s exhaustion.


    Angelina''s name had been a taboo topic in the past few days, a reminder of a wound that would never


    heal in Landon''s heart.


    "I''ll help you. You''re not alone; you have me." Jasper''s voice was strained and raspy. But no words


    could bring Angelina back.


    "I remember Angeline telling me she wanted a simple and peaceful life. I''m sure she''d want a funeral to


    reflect that, to quietly depart from this world like a raindrop fading into the rain," Landon said, struggling


    to catch his breath.


    Any semnce of a smile quickly vanished. "But she chose to follow me into a life filled with violence.


    There was never a day of peace or freedom. Jasper, I''ve destroyed Angelina''s life. I''ve killed her. How


    can I ever make it right?"


    Jasper knelt beside him, gently patting Landon''s back. "Don''t me yourself like this, Landon. Angelina


    wouldn''t want to see you suffer. You need to stay strong to protect the Harper Group and Lauren. That


    way, her sacrifice won''t be in vain."


    They left only after nightfall.


    "Jasper," Landon said, his voice regaining a semnce of control. "Take me to Sage Manor."


    His face, pale in the dim light, held a flicker of resolve. I want to gather some of Angeline''s belongings,


    things she used when she was alive. I want to keep them here at Sage Manor forever."


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    Jasper nodded in understanding. Sage Manor had once been a haven for Landon, Lauren, and


    Angeline —a ce filled with warmth and love. Now, it served as a painful reminder of their loss.


    The car journey was shrouded in silence. Jordan kept his eyes fixed on the road while Jasper sat in the


    back, lost in thought. Leaning against the window, Landon drifted into a deep sleep within minutes.


    "We''re here, Landon."


    Jasper woke Landon up an hourter.


    Landon''s face appeared worn, and he anxiously rubbed his eyes before stepping out of the car. Jasper


    and Jordan, concerned for his well-being, stayed close behind him.


    "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Landon isn''t in a stable condition. He might seem like he''s holding it together, but his


    body is exhausted," Jordan whispered softly, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.


    "I know," Jasper replied, his heart heavy with concern. He didn''t know how to alleviate his best friend''s


    suffering.


    With shaking fingers, Landon entered the familiar password and opened the door.