Doctor Thompson cautiously revealed, “It is with deep sorrow that I must deliver the news that Mr. Jake has passed away because of a heart attack accompanied by severe complications, including a widespread infarction of the myocardium.”
The news shocked everyone present in the waiting room, including Daniel and Emily.
“No, this can’t be!” exclaimed Sophia as she broke down in tears at the news that came as such a shock to her. She burst into tears in the room.
Emily held Daniel’s hand tightly, trying to strengthen Daniel’s feelings. As the black shadow haunted Daniel, his eyes became darker and darker. He had lost some people he loved most in his life. After losing his parents, now he had to face the fact that he had to lose his loved ones again. Emily’s gaze never left Daniel’s eyes. She was very worried about Daniel in front of her right now. Her eyes radiated care in every touch and glance.
Doctor Thompson further explained, “Previously, I had informed him of the severity of his heart disease, which required urgent surgery. However, he consciously chose not to undergo the procedure. The heart attack was sudden and caused irreversible damage to his heart muscle.”
Instantly, the room was filled with tears and shock. Today they had to face the fact that the chairman of W Company had left the world for good. An atmosphere of emotion and loss enveloped the room, reinforcing the deep sense of loss.
***
The next day, in New York, Jake’s family, business associates, and several important people in the company gathered to attend the funeral, which was held with great reverence.
They entered the church where the funeral service was held solemnly. The guests wore all black as a sign of final respect.
Tears came out of Sophia’s eyes, which were covered by sunglasses. Sophia’s husband Mark, their eldest son, Sean, and Sophia’s two young children were present at the funeral. Robert and Michael, with their wives and young children, were also present at the funeral. Emily, who was inside Daniel’s body at this time, cried, recalling Jake’s smile for the last time when he approved of her relationship with Daniel. Sadness and loss were clear in every expression on their faces.
‘Goodbye, Grandpa. Thank you for loving Daniel in this life,’ Emily thought to herself.
Daniel, who had now swapped bodies back with Emily, could only remain silent without saying much. His facial expression reflected a deep loss, showing how difficult it was for him to express his feelings in words. Sean, who was usually mischievous, now looked at the funeral with a blank stare, as if the world around him had stopped spinning.
After the religious ceremony, the funeral procession proceeded to the cemetery. There, Jake’s coffin was placed on the prepared grave. An atmosphere of silence and solemnity enveloped the attendees as they paid their last respects by throwing flowers at the grave as a sign of meaningful farewell.
Jake’s funeral in New York was filled with deep tributes, sorrowful prayers, and heartfelt condolences from his relatives, friends, key people in the company, and business colleagues. After the funeral, attendees gathered to pray for the deceased and offer support to the family left behind, creating a bond of togetherness and strength during the ordeal.
***
After the funeral was over, Daniel and Emily got into the car that Daniel’s driver had opened the door for. The car finally slowly drove out of the cemetery.
“Are you okay?” Emily asked Daniel, who was sitting next to her.
Daniel only gave Emily a faint smile. Emily immediately grasped Daniel’s hand tightly to strengthen his heart.
“Go home first,” Daniel said to Emily.
“You’re not going home yourself? Is there somewhere else you want to go?” asked Emily in an anxious tone, a little worried about Daniel’s condition.
Daniel just nodded slowly in response to Emily’s question.
“Then let me accompany you,” Emily said with concern.
“No, you won’t. Go home first and rest,” Daniel pleaded gently.
“You must be tired, too. Why should I go home without you? Let me accompany you,” Emily remained firm in her decision to accompany Daniel.
“Emily,” Daniel’s voice was firm this time, leaving no room for argument.
“Alright, I’ll comply. I’ll go home first,” Emily said, relenting in the end. “But please don’t torture yourself. Let me know if there’s anything. You understand, right?”
Daniel nodded slowly at Emily again. “I won’t torture myself. There’s no need to worry about me.” With a meaningful look, the two understood each other without having to say much.
Several minutes passed until the car finally arrived at Daniel’s residence. With careful steps, Emily got out of the car, feeling a tremor of anxiety inside her. As Emily got out, Daniel rolled down the window to see her enter the residence, but Emily’s face looked hesitant to leave Daniel alone.
“Go in,” Daniel pleaded in a soft voice that exuded concern.
Emily’s facial expression looked anxious and agitated, reflecting unspoken worries. However, Daniel simply nodded, giving a hint for Emily to give him her full trust. Finally, Emily returned Daniel’s nod with a wave of her hand.
After Emily stepped slowly into his residence, Daniel raised the car window again.
“Where are we going, ma’am?” asked Daniel’s personal driver, as it was currently Daniel’s soul that returned to Emily’s body.
“We’re going to Grandpa’s house. I left my stuff there and I need to get it,” Daniel replied in a steady voice, despite giving his driver a false excuse.
“Yes, ma’am,” Daniel’s personal driver said politely, following orders faithfully.
As Daniel’s car left, Emily, who was still standing outside the residence, watched the car leave with unspoken curiosity.
“Where are you going?” muttered Emily in confusion, trying to think of an answer to Daniel leaving without a clear explanation.
Based on Daniel’s instructions, a few moments into the trip, the car finally arrived at Jake’s residence. Daniel’s car slowly entered the gate, crossing the front garden of the house until it finally arrived at Jake’s residence.
As Daniel looked at his doorstep, he recalled the first time he arrived at this mansion. He felt a shiver of emotion that took him back to those unforgettable moments. He carried his small bag, and the image of an authoritative and stern old man greeting him warmly was imprinted in his mind. It was Jake Winston, the man who had such a strong presence in his life.
“Ma’am,” Daniel’s personal driver called softly, breaking his reverie and returning his focus to their arrival at Jake’s residence.
Daniel finally regained his senses and got out of the car. At the door of his grandfather’s residence, Daniel pressed the intercom screen to announce his arrival. The housekeeper’s voice came over the intercom, giving Daniel permission to enter.
“Madam? What do you need here?” asked the housemaid, who was confused about seeing Daniel in Emily’s form in front of her.
“I left my stuff in Grandpa’s work room. I wanted to pick it up,” Daniel replied steadily, explaining his reason for coming.
“Let me assist you inside,” said the maid politely.
“No need. I can go by myself.”
“Very well. If you need my help, you can call me,” the maid said kindly, bowing respectfully to Daniel before leaving.
Passing through the living room, Daniel recalled the time he had silently watched Jake reading the newspaper.
“What are you doing there?” asked Jake, his grandfather’s voice clear in his memory.
The memories were like an album moving through his memory. As Daniel stepped into the dining room, he remembered himself always eating quickly because of the sharp gaze of his aunt and uncle who disliked him, until one day he choked on his own food.
“Eat slowly,” Jake said in a stern tone.
Little Daniel just nodded in response. Every advice and lesson from Jake shaped Daniel’s character and personality, creating a strong bond between the two of them.
Daniel finally made his way to Jake’s room, but something shiny near a corner of the wall near the room caught his eye.
Upon approaching it, he found an earring lying on the floor.
“Whose earring is this?”