Chapter 814

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin,” Jace said, his voice flat. He sounded detached, like he wasn’t even part of the funeral, just some neutral bystander. Even with Matthew’s death, Jace handled the funeral plans like clockwork—calm, precise, unaffected. It was almost unsettling how serene he seemed, like nothing could touch him anymore.

Wayne stayed silent, and Hayden stood off to the side, blending in like he was just another Johnston family member. But we all knew better. Hayden had every reason to despise this family. The car crash that killed his dad? Matthew had orchestrated it. Maybe he could let go of hating the living, but honoring the dead? No chance. Seeing him so compliant next to Wayne was weird. It didn’t sit right.

“Why’s Hayden so…obedient? Did Wayne drug him or something?” Lena whispered, clearly on edge.

How would I know? I wasn’t psychic.

“Maybe Wayne’s blackmailing him,” I said, the only thing that made any sense.

“That guy’s a snake,” Lena muttered, her jaw clenched.

I didn’t reply. My eyes stayed locked on Hayden. Something about him felt…wrong. I just couldn’t figure out what.

“Where’s Mom?” Wayne suddenly asked.

That’s when we realized—Lindey was missing. With the funeral about to start, where could she be? Jace sent people to search, and I headed to her room. As I opened the door, a strange chill ran through me. My eyes landed on the bed—and the figure lying there.

“Lindey,” I called softly.

No response. I hesitated, then stepped closer. “Lindey…”

But the moment I saw her clearly, I froze. Her face was pale, lips stained faintly with blood. My stomach dropped, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. I just stood there, paralyzed.

The creak of the door behind me snapped me out of it.

“Mrs. Johnston…”

It was Isabel. She walked in, spotted me, then Lindey, and gasped. “Rea, what—what happened to her? Is she—oh my god!” She grabbed my arm, trembling. “What do we do? Is she…?”

Her panic shook me back to reality. My voice came out shaky. “Isabel…get Jace. Now.”

“O—Okay,” she stammered, backing out, her voice frantic. “Something’s wrong! Mrs. Johnston—she’s in trouble!”

A minute later, Jace and Wayne burst into the room. By then, I was already at Lindey’s side, holding her hand. Her skin was still warm, but it had that eerie lifelessness you can’t ignore.

“Call an ambulance!” Wayne shouted, his voice sharp and frantic.

But Jace didn’t move. His calmness was almost unnerving. “There’s no need,” he said quietly.

We all turned to him. His gaze stayed fixed on Lindey’s still figure.

“Mom wanted to leave with Dad,” Jace said softly, his voice low. “She wanted to be by his side. There’s nothing left for her here.”

Wayne’s face darkened, and then he snapped. He grabbed Jace by the collar, shaking him. “Did she tell you? Why didn’t you stop her? Why didn’t you watch her?”

Jace didn’t fight back. He stayed composed, his steady eyes meeting Wayne’s. “She didn’t say anything. But think, Wayne. What have you and I done? And why do you think Dad died so suddenly? You really don’t know?”

His words hit like a punch to the gut. Matthew’s death wasn’t natural. It was because of Wayne. But what had Wayne done? Had Matthew uncovered his crimes? Was the weight of it all what drove him to the edge?