Chapter 346

He had never spoken these words before, but looking at her standing before his father's spirit tablet, they came naturally. He felt he could only express them when facing her.

"Speaking of which," Jason muttered, "my father must have seen plenty of women. Surely some were prettier. What a fool he was to give up everything for a woman like that."

"Your father didn't necessarily love your mother because she was pretty," Grace said. "Sometimes looks aren't that important. People like each other regardless of their flaws."

Jason's eyes flickered, settling on Grace's face. "Maybe… you're right. Sometimes looks aren't that important."

It was true for him. He'd met more beautiful women, more understanding, more accommodating. Yet, he cherished the feeling she gave him—the calm warmth of her concern, the repeated use of his nickname, "Jay," her hand in his at night. [The original sentence fragment "being. She seemed unable to move under his eyes…" is removed as it is unclear and grammatically incorrect.]

Only after the incense Grace had lit for Jason's father had finished burning did Jason rise and set his mother's photograph on fire. Then he blew out the candle.

"Why did you burn your mother's photo?" Grace asked, surprised.

"I do it every year at this time," Jason replied. "Let's go."

Grace was stunned. Looking at the time, she realized it was just after midnight—a new day. "Why burn it now?" she asked, then quickly added, "Uh, you don't have to answer. It was just a casual question." She knew she should distance herself.

"Yesterday was her birthday," Jason murmured. "My father would wait to celebrate with her, no matter how late. I burn her photo to let him know I'll find her one day and take her to his grave." He looked at the photo every year, to remember her face, to ensure he'd recognize her.

"Come on," he said, taking her hand. They left the mourning hall and headed toward the main house.

In the security room, several guards watching the surveillance screens gathered, focusing on the couple leaving the hall.

"They're out! Oh my God, Miss Cummins is safe!" "Young Master Reed is… holding her hand!" "She's the only one who could enter the memorial hall and leave holding his hand. Anyone else would be dead!"

The guards chattered. Suddenly, the man on screen looked up towards the camera, as if seeing them watching.

Silence fell. The guards dared not speak further.