Chapter 988
Violet initially planned to inflict more wounds on the Westhaven spies, but Lulu's words stopped her. Further stabbing would cause them to bleed out too quickly.
Carissa went to a nearby small shrine. Lighting the candles, she knelt and prayed silently. Her throat tightened; no words came. However, she knew her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law in the afterlife witnessed this moment.
Rafael stepped forward, lit another candle, and knelt beside her, taking her hand. His heart ached as he whispered softly, "The killers have been punished. Mother and everyone else will surely find peace now."
Tears streamed down Carissa's face. Would they truly find peace? She didn't know. She only knew they would never return. The vengeance didn't ease her pain, but she knew she had to stay strong. Only by living a happy life could she honor their spirits.
The two Westhaven spies, though not yet dead, were drifting in and out of consciousness from blood loss. They muttered something in Westic, incomprehensible to Carissa and the others, but Rafael understood. Their words were broken, halting apologies. They hadn't been oblivious to their wrongdoing, merely unwilling to admit it. Now, with death approaching, perhaps their past replayed in their minds, and these apologies were what they should have offered at the graves.
Rafael turned to Carissa and Lulu. "They said they're sorry."
Lulu, who had been suppressing her tears, could no longer hold back. Sobbing uncontrollably at Rafael's words, she buried her face in Violet's chest. "What good are apologies? What good are they?!"
Lulu's cries were heart-wrenching. Did a single apology erase all their sins? Yet, that sentence was necessary—for Lulu, Carissa, and the spirits of their family. Forgiveness remained their choice, but the killers needed to apologize.
While Rafael held Carissa, comforting her, Violet held Lulu close, unable to contain her own tears. Though not naturally comforting, she gently patted Lulu's back. "Let it out. Go ahead and cry."
With the negotiations concluded and the death of the last two Westhaven spies, the Sinclair family massacre finally found some semblance of closure. The spies' bodies were discarded in a mass grave. They didn't deserve a proper burial; becoming food for wild dogs and wolves was the closest thing to redemption they would receive.
The next day, Dominic left Sullivan Estate for Hell Monarch Estate. Carissa brought Ryan home from the academy. The dark cloud of worry that had hung over them had lifted.
Hearing that Barrett's punishment had been lenient—allowing his return as deputy commander of the Nightsteel Guard—Dominic was silent before saying, "His Majesty showed mercy. Severer punishment would have implicated your third uncle and many military officers at Victory Pass."
Carissa understood. Wyatt had allowed Barrett and Aurora to go to Fawnrun City, a decision they had all discussed. However, Salvador had never intended to involve them.
To lighten the mood, Cindy smiled and said, "Let's not dwell on that. Tonight, let's enjoy a family dinner. In a couple of days, we'll return to Victory Pass."
"You're leaving so soon?" Ryan looked saddened, clinging to Dominic's arm. "Can't you stay longer? I'll show you around."
Dominic scooped Ryan up, pressing his cheek against the boy's face and laughing. "Next spring, have your aunt and uncle bring you to Victory Pass. There's much to do there."
"Really?" Ryan's eyes lit up as he asked Carissa, "Aunt Carissa, can we go next year?"
Carissa smiled and nodded. "Yes, we'll take you next year."
"Yay!" Ryan cheered, his excitement evident. He was becoming more lively, slowly escaping the shadow of his past.