Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

These people here didn’t deserve her. They didn’t deserve to see her, to
talk to her, to pity her and give her fake ass condolences, they certainly
fucking didn’t deserve to see her cry.
Some part of me agreed with her not wanting to attend and stay with
Valentina at home, namely that was also the part that yearned to spoil her
rotten and give her all the attention and affection she so obviously lacked.
The rational part of me though, knew she had to assist. She had to see her
parents’ graves, see they were now resting in peace, for her own closure, her
own peace of mind.
Not only that but not seeing her in attendance would make people talk,
and I wouldn’t be responsible for what I did to anyone shit-talking her. Lord
knew she got enough of that.
My eyes were stuck on her back and Sofia looked tense, more than I’d
ever seen her. Her hand clutched Valentina’s, and the little girl squeezed hers
just as hard. They were giving each other the strength needed to get through
this day, and I had to admit, it was beautiful.
I’d never witnessed a love like theirs. It was friendship, it was devotion,
it was pure and unadulterated sisterhood.
Beautiful.
Coming to a stop at the top of the aisle, Sofia turned around towards the
first row of benches before stopping again, this time looking startled. I
followed her gaze and saw him, sitting on the pew specifically reserved for
the family.
Conan Michaels, Jack Raymond’s assistant, sat there, looking forward
and not sparing Sofia a single look, like he had every goddamn right.
I noticed how Sofia seemed to tense up even more, and how her hold on
Valentina seemed to shake. Her chest heaved, but it was so controlled and
discreet that nobody who wasn’t looking would notice.