Chapter 523 Obituary
Aurelia pushed the door open. "Burry, would you like to rest for a while?"
Burry looked up, her eyes swollen and red from crying. "Aurelia, I need some time to think. Is he still out there?"
Aurelia nodded. "He wants to stay close to you. Even if you won't let him in, knowing he's just outside gives him some peace of mind. It's better than being far away."
Burry fell silent for a moment. "Aurelia, when you have time, could you buy me a wig?"
Burry had always treasured her hair, and though losing it was inevitable, she'd gradually come to accept the reality. But seeing Marcus again had triggered her deepest insecurities about her appearance—she couldn't bear for him to see her in such a state, even though her heart had already decided not to continue with him.
Aurelia smiled gently. "Of course. What style would you like? I'll pick one up when I leave."
"Nothing too long—it would be impractical for me now. Your hairstyle looks good, actually. Clean and professional."
"I'll get you a wig then. Try to get some sleep and don't overthink things."
After settling Burry and closing her door, Aurelia found two caregivers stationed outside. Marcus sat on the hallway bench, his eyes lighting up hopefully when he saw her. He knew how much Burry had always yearned for family, and now that she'd found her relatives, she must be overjoyed—surely she'd grown fond of her newfound sister. He hoped Aurelia might help unlock whatever was troubling Burry's heart.
Aurelia approached him. "Marcus, Burry needs time to process everything. Don't rush her. Let her gradually accept this, and you can slowly rebuild what you've lost over these years."
Marcus looked away with a silent sigh. "It doesn't matter. I'll stay here and watch over her. If she doesn't want to see me, I won't appear before her. Just knowing I can see her, knowing she's alive and well in this world—that's enough for me."
"Would you consider going home and coming back this evening?"
Marcus shook his head. "There's nothing for me to do at home. I'd rather stay here where I can be close to her."
"Alright then. I'll go pick up some things for my sister."
Over the following days, Marcus maintained his vigil on the hallway bench, watching her through the glass door and window. Late at night, when Burry was fast asleep, he would slip quietly into her room and sit by her bedside, leaving before dawn broke. Aurelia found him pacing the corridors every day when she visited, sometimes helping the caregivers with meals or other tasks, essentially making the bench his home despite everyone's attempts to persuade him to leave.
More than a week passed as the family anxiously awaited the compatibility test results. Once they came in and the timing was right, they would proceed immediately with the transplant.
On this particular day, Aurelia arrived at the hospital to find Marcus absent for the first time. She left the hospital and returned to her office, where she was responding to emails when a news alert flashed across her screen. She was about to dismiss it when the headline caught her eye, sending a sharp pain through her chest.
The content was an obituary.
It read: [Reed, founder of the Heilbronn Group jewelry empire, passed away on September 22nd, 2023, at 3:37 PM, at the age of 82. A memorial service will be held on September 24th, 2023, at the Heilbronn Villa.]
This notice serves as formal announcement.
Reed was gone.
Aurelia's mind went blank for several minutes. The news was so sudden she couldn't process it. Just days ago, when Reed had been discharged from the hospital, he'd seemed physically robust, though emotionally subdued and constantly expressing his desire to return to Imperick. Marcus had arranged his trip home, and Aurelia had assumed that being back on familiar soil—tending to his garden, spending time with his dogs, visiting old friends—would lift his spirits.
Aurelia's gaze fell on the key Reed had given her, now locked in her desk drawer, and her heart ached with understanding. He had been seriously making his final arrangements, but none of them had realized the gravity of the moment.
Her greatest regret was not being able to see Reed one last time. In her heart, she had truly considered Reed her grandfather, and within the entire Heilbronn family, he had been the one who loved her most.
Wiping away her tears, Aurelia called Nathaniel, but Zack answered instead, getting straight to the point. "I've booked flights for you and your two children. You'll land at Imperick International Airport at eight tonight. I'll be there to pick you up."
Aurelia's throat tightened, the news creating a suffocating pressure in her chest. "Where's Nathaniel?"
"Mr. Heilbronn can't get away right now. He might not be able to meet you at the airport tonight, but I'll make sure you and your little ones get home safely."
Once the obituary was published, Nathaniel knew there was no hiding it from her, so he'd made arrangements for Zack to handle the airport pickup. Given their relationship and Reed's deep affection for her children, she would certainly want to attend Reed's funeral.
After hanging up, Aurelia grabbed her bag and headed straight to the kindergarten to collect Jacob and Dorothy early. She drove home, quickly packed a few essentials, and when the timing felt right, took the children to the airport.
Jacob and Dorothy were thrilled to hear their mother was taking them back to Imperick.
"Mommy, is Daddy finished with his work there? Can we visit the museum this time?" Dorothy asked excitedly.
Aurelia hadn't yet told the children about Reed's passing. They were so young—she wasn't sure they could understand such concepts of life and death. Both children were close to Reed, leaving Aurelia momentarily speechless.
"Dorothy, Jacob, this time Mommy is taking you to the house where your daddy grew up. You'll see your grandparents, and Ashley, and of course, Daddy too."
"Will Great-Grandpa be there too?" Jacob asked.
Two tears slipped down Aurelia's cheeks, which she quickly wiped away. "Yes, he'll be there."
The children remained unaware of what had happened in Imperick. Hearing they would visit the place where their father had grown up filled them with unbridled joy and anticipation.
At eight o'clock sharp, Aurelia landed in Imperick with Jacob and Dorothy. Autumn had arrived in Imperick, and after disembarking, Aurelia pulled jackets from their luggage to bundle up the children. Zack was already waiting outside with Nathaniel's car.
Once in the vehicle, Zack drove toward the Bloom Villa. Aurelia recognized the familiar streetscape outside her window.
"Zack, aren't we going to the Heilbronn Villa first?"
Zack kept his focus on the steering wheel. "Mr. Heilbronn instructed me to take you to the Bloom Villa first. The memorial service is tomorrow, and you and your children must be hungry. Dinner has been prepared at home."
Aurelia held back her emotions. Since Nathaniel had made these arrangements, she would follow his lead. While she could endure the wait, the children were probably genuinely hungry.
"Is Mr. Heilbronn at the Heilbronn Villa?"
"Yes, he's at the wake."
The car pulled up to the Bloom Villa, where Betty emerged upon hearing the engine, having prepared a lavish dinner featuring all of Aurelia's and the children's favorite dishes.
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