radicalducati Chapter 522: Skylar Is Dead
Chapter 522: Skylar Is Dead
What Skylar said before the end didn’t matter to her.
Skylar was raised by Lucas. She deserved to be remembered with respect.
No one said it out loud, but they all knew—this was their way of honoring her. So, Dave asked Wyatt to handle the funeral.
Maybe this goodbye was the gentlest one they could give.
The hospital footage showed that Wyatt had nothing to do with Skylar’s death. Still, Dave asked him to take care of the funeral. It was a kind gesture—to spare Wyatt from carrying more guilt.
Wyatt gave a small nod and took on the task.
“Watch your back,” Wyatt warned. “Skylar was working with Brady behind the scenes. She may have turned against the Evans Group. Brady’s probably about to make his move.”
Dave gave a short nod. With his hands behind him, he stood alone, staring at the horizon.
The air felt heavy like a storm was just moments away.
Three heavy days passed slowly, leading up to a funeral wrapped in silent sadness.
The rain fell softly, matching the tears of those gathered.
The people who once enjoyed her fame were gone, like leaves blown away by the wind.
Only a few remained; those who really knew her and were part of her life.
Bianca and Dave stood silently together, holding white chrysanthemums as a final goodbye.
A step behind, Reece stood alone, struggling with silent grief. He said the red eyes were from the rain, but his pained face told the real story to anyone paying attention.
Even though Skylar had hurt Bianca many times, Bianca held no anger. After all, Skylar had once saved Dave’s life.
The service went on quietly, with the priest’s words bringing comfort for Skylar’s soul. The mourners remembered the good parts of Skylar as she was laid to rest.
Drawn without knowing why, Reece went to the grave. He touched the cold stone, silently saying goodbye to the woman he’d lost.
Deep in thought, he didn’t notice Bianca walking up. She stood quietly beside him and opened a black umbrella, covering them both in silence.
“Your heart may hurt for what’s gone,” Bianca whispered beside him. “But those who’ve left have started a journey we can’t follow. We have to find the strength to keep going. It’s okay to grieve, but don’t let sadness hold you back.”
Her words were kind but full of conviction.
Reece barely moved his lips in response, hiding the storm inside.
“She got what she deserved,” he mumbled softly. “I’m not sad.”
The sadness in his eyes said more than his words ever could. Bianca didn’t question the mask he wore. She simply stayed beside him, offering solemn comfort under the same umbrella.
“Thank you,” he said at last, turning to her with a faint smile. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s not needed. I’ve made peace with the past. Love I once held dear now lives only in old memories.”
“I understand,” Bianca said softly.
His next words carried the heavy burdens of regrets he had buried deep inside. “I’m really sorry for the legal loss you faced because of me,” he said sincerely. “I promise I’ll uncover the truth and make sure you get the justice you deserve.”
A heavy silence fell between them as his next words hung in the air. “When this is over, I’m leaving Edenfield.”
The quiet that followed was full of sorrow.
Reece had suffered deeply, betrayed by someone he loved, nearly killed, and then left to mourn her death. Each wound had carved itself deep into his soul.
“Where are you going? Still chasing the lawyer dream?” Bianca asked softly.
Reece gave a small, bitter smile. “I lost my way,” he said. “I faked evidence. I hurt people who didn’t deserve it. I betrayed everything I stood for. I don’t deserve to be called a lawyer anymore. I’m going to confess, and it’ll probably cost me my career. But I accept that. I don’t want your forgiveness or sympathy. This is the mess I made.”
He tried to sound casual despite the heavy pain he felt. “Don’t worry about me. I just need time to think. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I’ll come back when I’m ready.”
With a quiet sense of closure, he walked over to Dave, who stood still and calm. They looked at each other, and in that moment, everything was understood without any words came out.
Reece gave a faint smile. “Take care of Bianca. She deserves the best.”
“I know better than you,” Dave said firmly.
Reece let out a dry, sad laugh. “You’ve always had good judgment. Me… not so much.”
His voice trembled, and was filled with emotion he tried to hold back.
Dave gently shifted the topic. “Are you sure you’re leaving?”
Reece nodded once and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “If you ever get married, tell me. I’ll be there—no matter what.”
With a quick nod, he walked past Dave and disappeared into the rain.
The downpour felt like it was washing away all the tension that had filled the air.
Bianca watched him fade into the storm, a mix of emotions rising in her chest. She didn’t say anything, but she still felt bad.
Noticing her anxious appearance, Dave gently pulled her into a tight embrace, shielding her from the storm.
“Come on,” he murmured softly. “Let’s go home.”
Meanwhile, the news of Skylar’s death hit Lucas like a punch. In a burst of rage, he smashed his favorite porcelain figurine into pieces.
The one who brought the news was Dave’s uncle, Rupert.
“What?” Lucas shouted, his voice booming like the storm outside. “What did you just say?”
“Skylar is dead,” Rupert said plainly. “Her funeral is today. I only just found out and came straight here.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “It’s strange, isn’t it? She was fine just days ago. And Dave kept the whole thing silently. Don’t you think that’s suspicious?”
Lucas’s heart felt heavy like it was carrying a weight too big to bear.
He had shaped Skylar’s life carefully, like a sculptor working over time.
He had two reasons for doing it. First, Skylar had once saved Dave’s life, tying her to the Evans family. She was smart, well-mannered, and came from a clean background—an orphan who seemed like the perfect match for Dave. But more than that, Lucas had made a promise to her grandfather, a soldier who died saving him in battle. That man’s last wish was for Lucas to look after his granddaughter.