Chapter 440
Ricky tried to free himself from Stan, but the other man kept a vice-like grip on his hand to stop him from running.
Even so, Ricky protested. “No. I’d never agree to that–there’s no way I can do it anyway. Just let me go!” Stan told
him as politely as he could, “You’re the best man for the job.”
“What do you mean I’m the best man for the job? Do you think Sheryl wouldn’t be devastated if I were the one who
told her?! I won’t be the villain here! I refuse!”
To Ricky, Stan might as well have been telling him the worst joke ever.
Even if his mother had been at odds with Sheryl and Irene, there was no doubt that his mother had done more than
her fair share of mistakes.
And after he spent a lot of time with Sheryl and Irene, he could feel that they were generally kind, and long since
considered them family. Sheryl had since become a mother figure as well… but if he told her that Irene was dead,
she would die weeping!
“Can’t we hide it?” Ricky certainly believed that silence was the better idea here.
“Do you really think we can hide a person’s death?” Stan asked, holding his gaze. “Well, maybe we can lie to her for
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇta couple days or months, but do you think we can keep going for a year? I’m asking you because that’s the best for
everyone.”
Ricky did not really see his point. “Why?”
“Irene’s death is a devastating tragedy for you and everyone. No one wanted this to happen, but it did- but we are
obliged to live on, because we’re alive. That’s why I want you to tell Sheryl right now, or Isaac would sink into
another fit of depression if she starts crying around him in a few days, just as he starts to recover.”
“What, you think Isaac could forget my sister in days? She even had a baby with him! He’s so ruthless, getting over
her after just a few days…”
“I’m just giving an example there.” Stan wanted to roll his eyes at Ricky–did this boy really have such poor
comprehension?
On the other hand, Ricky was staring at Stan as if he was an idiot. “And do you think Sheryl could bear the pain? It
will stay with her for the rest of her life, and if you don’t want her sad around Isaac, you should ask her to not show
up around him at all.”
“She’s babysitting Tommy. It’s impossible to stop them from meeting…”
“Pain is inevitable, but holding it in and then letting everything blow up at once is nothing good either,” Ricky
countered.
Stan actually did a double take and chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d be this reasonable, kid.”
“It’s the truth. We’re all going to hurt together if we can’t hide the truth.”
Three days later, Stan had completed renovations of the castle into a snowy fortress–one would feel as if they set
foot in the North Pole the instant they entered.
Having worked for Isaac for a while now, Stan certainly knew the man, and he had done so well that Isaac could not
even nitpick.
Meanwhile, much had happened over the last three days.
Sheryl had been weeping repeatedly, passing out frequently after being told about Irene’s death. She was now
admitted to a hospital, and she had become much skinnier after going two days without food or drink.
As for Lulu, she had rushed over to Cloud City looking for Ricky the day he hung up on her, worried that he would go
out of line. That was how she found out about Irene.
At the same time, Isaac had not spoken a word.
Today would have counted as a funeral, but it was somehow also not the case.
There was a small group of people gathering to mourn her, watching her ice casket from afar since Isaac did not
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmallow them near it.
They were all people who used to be close to Irene, but within the silent room, only Lulu’s quiet sobs could be
heard, while the others mourned in silence.
Zachary Slate was present too, and it was natural since he was close with both Irene and Isaac.
Still, he came alone without bringing Ember Lindt.
Half an hour later, James gestured for everyone to leave the mansion.
While Ricky left to get Lulu a drink, Zachary walked up to Lulu, saying, “You shouldn’t keep crying, Lulu. You’re going
to hurt your throat-”
Lulu had turned and left him before he could finish, clearly intent on avoiding him.
Zachary frowned, but he was not in a mood to start a fight.
He said calmly, “Even if we can’t get married or be friends, are you still going to do this to me on a day like this?‘
Lulu wheeled on him and held his gaze. “I don’t want to talk to you, and don’t try to talk to me about yourself for
the day.
“About me?” Zachary started to feel annoyed.
Wiping off a pinch of tears, Lulu glared at him. “I lost my job. Even if it wasn’t you, it would definitely be your
mother. Neither of you have my spite, however, because neither of you are worth the trouble. So please shut up
and don’t try to talk to me about anything–not even my stupid past–while I’m mourning Irene!”