Chapter 836

"This is from Dad. He said it was passed down from Grandma," Tyler said.

He lifted her wrist and slipped the jade bracelet on. The size fit her perfectly.

"Samantha begged him for it several times, but he never gave it to her."

Rachel looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist. "Seems like things between you two have eased a lot."

Tyler’s lips were still pursed. "Not really."

Rachel snorted. "Still so stubborn."

The black sedan slowly entered the cemetery. Tombstones stood silently among the pine trees.

The sound of soil falling on the casket was heavy and dull. Rachel knelt before the grave, watching as her father’s casket was covered with dirt.

In the end, she had still sent Jim on his final journey. She asked for nothing else. She knew Jim, like Gerald, had always favored Yvette, but all she wanted was to face herself with a clear conscience.

She would simply do what she ought to.

What Rachel didn’t expect was that Gerald had also come, despite his frailness.

Stanley noticed the surprise in her eyes and whispered in her ear, "Gerald insisted on coming to see your dad off. We all thought that since he’s old anyway, might as well let him have his wish."

"Yeah." Rachel had no objections.

Not far away, Gerald suddenly stood up. His gaze swept across the gathered family and friends.

He suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Today, before Jim and everyone here, there are things I need to say."

He retrieved a property deed and share certificates from inside his coat.

"The Lloyd family’s business will from now on be inherited by Rachel."

Soft murmurs rippled through the crowd. Rachel’s head snapped up, meeting the look of regret in Gerald’s eyes.

"In the past, it was me and your father’s fault. We always shielded Yvette, thinking that was the best way to preserve the Lloyd family…"

His voice caught. His thin hand rested on her shoulder.

"The Lloyd family wronged you. Here, on behalf of Jim, I offer my sincerest apologies."

Rachel gazed at the name on the tombstone. Her eyes welled with tears, yet she merely shook her head.

None of that mattered anymore. To her, some things that could never be gained had long been given up, and she no longer clung to them. Letting go of certain obsessions was the only way to move forward.

Gerald didn’t say more. He knew well enough that Rachel’s hurt wasn’t something material compensation or a few words could smooth away.

This was all he could do.

After the funeral, Gerald said to Rachel, "Rachel, I’d like to spend some more time with Jim."

"Okay. We’ll wait outside."

Tyler and Rachel left the burial grounds. They wanted to get some fresh air.

They sat on a bench under a tree. Tyler handed her a bottle of water.

"Looks like the old man suddenly came to his senses."

"Whether he did or not doesn’t matter to me anymore. His apology came far too late." Rachel looked at the distant tombstone and suddenly smiled. "It’s all in the past."

The past few years had taught her not to cling to anyone or anything. When one door closed, another always opened.

It was better to go with the flow.

Thirty minutes later, they walked back to the burial grounds. From a distance, they saw the staff waving frantically.

Rachel’s heart sank. She hurried forward and found Gerald leaning against the tombstone. There was a peaceful smile on his face. He was still holding an old family photo.

It was taken on Jim’s tenth birthday with him perched on his father’s shoulders.

Rachel felt mixed emotions. She had never imagined Gerald would leave the world this way.

Tyler gently wrapped his arms around Rachel’s trembling body.

At that moment, they both understood that certain closures were destined to be attained in solemn ways.