Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 83: A Funeral: Henry’s Sudden Visit

Chapter 83: A Funeral: Henry’s Sudden Visit

The next day dawned gray and heavy, the kind of sky that mirrored Eira’s heart.

Callian was standing by the car, watching her as she adjusted her coat.

Her hands trembled slightly, but her face had no expression.

She hadn’t said much since learning about Marion’s death, but Callian could see right through her.

"We don’t have to do this," he said gently, stepping closer.

Eira shook her head. "I have to say goodbye. She deserves that."

Callian opened the passenger door for her. "Then let’s go."

The drive to Marion’s hometown was silent.

The same small church came into view, its spire piercing the overcast sky.

Cars lined the street, and mourners milled about the entrance, their faces solemn.

Eira’s grip on the door handle tightened as they parked. "What if they don’t let me in?" she whispered.

"They will," Callian stated confidently, though his jaw clenched at the thought of anyone denying her this moment.

As they approached the church, the murmurs of conversation died down.

Heads turned; whispers followed, as usual in a small town.

Konrad was the first to step forward, blocking the entrance.

His face filled with disdain after seeing Eira. "You shouldn’t be here," he said coldly.

Eira froze, her chest tightened as Konrad’s words stabbed at her already broken heart.

"Step aside," Callian said.

"She’s not welcome here," Konrad spat. "She left. She has no right to be here now."

Eira’s eyes filled with tears. "I didn’t leave you, and also, I kept staying in touch with her. I have my full right to be here."

But Callian moved in front of her. "You listen to me," he said in a threatening tone. "If you don’t let her inside, there will be no funeral. I will burn this entire place to the ground before anyone says a word over Marion’s body."

Konrad flinched, his bravery cracked by the tone in Callian’s words.

"Let her in," someone murmured from the crowd.

Konrad glared but stepped aside eventually.

Callian placed a hand on Eira’s back, guiding her into the church. "Go say your goodbye," he whispered.

The small casket lay at the front of the church, surrounded by flowers.

Eira’s steps faltered as she approached, her breath hitched at the sight of Marion.

She knelt by the casket, her fingers brushed against the wood. "Marion," she whispered, her voice broke. "I’m so sorry."

A woman standing nearby noticed her. "She loved you, you know," the woman said softly.

Eira looked up, her face streaked with tears. "What happened to her face?" she asked, trembling.

The woman hesitated, glancing around before leaning closer.

"She... she cut herself before she died," the woman said quietly. "And... she cut her tongue."

Eira’s blood ran cold. "Her tongue?"

The woman nodded. "It was horrible. They said she did it so she wouldn’t scream... so she wouldn’t change her mind."

Callian, standing nearby, frowned.

His sharp eyes narrowed, his fists clenched. "That doesn’t sound like something she’d do," he said in a low but certain tone.

Eira wiped her tears, her grief immediately changed its way to suspicion. "She was scared of pain. She hated knives. She wouldn’t..."

The woman looked uneasy, glancing around nervously. "I don’t know more than that," she said before stepping away.

Eira stood, her heart thudded painfully in her chest.

She reached for Callian’s arm. "This isn’t right. None of this feels right," she whispered.

Callian nodded. "We’ll figure it out. But not here."

As they moved toward the back of the church, Eira stopped abruptly.

Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes landed on a dark shadow.

Henry.

He stood at the far end of the church, half-hidden by the dim light, his hands clasped in front of him.

Eira’s pain was replaced by rage in an instant.

She started toward him, her fists clenched so hard her nails started digging into her skin.

"What is he doing here?" she hissed. "How dare he show his face?"

Callian caught her arm, holding her back. "Not here," he said firmly. "Not now."

"He doesn’t get to be here!" Eira snapped in a rising tone.

Callian tightened his grip, commanding. "Eira, listen to me. This is what he wants. Don’t give him the satisfaction of a scene. We’ll handle him outside."

Eira glared at Henry, her entire body shaking, but she let Callian guide her out of the church.

The cold air hit her like a slap as they stepped outside.

Henry followed them. He had an impassive face as he approached.

Before he could speak, Eira turned and slapped him across the face with all her strength.

The sound killed the stillness.

"You don’t get to be here!" she shouted at him. "You don’t deserve to stand where she rests!"

Henry staggered slightly, then straightened. For a moment, he said nothing.

Then, to Eira’s shock, he dropped to his knees.

"Eira," he said, "you’re right. I don’t deserve to be here. I don’t deserve to be anywhere near you."

Eira’s hands trembled at her sides, her breathing turned uneven. "Then why are you here? To gloat? To remind me how you destroy everything you touch?"

Henry shook his head. "I’m here because I failed you. I failed her. I failed everyone."

"Hah?!" Eira’s laugh was sharp and bitter. "Don’t you dare pretend this is guilt, Henry. This isn’t about Marion. This is about you. This is about you sending a message."

Henry’s brow furrowed. "A message? Eira, I didn’t—"

"Don’t lie to me!" she shouted, stepping closer. "You hated her. You hated that she protected me, that she was my family when you refused to be! You wanted to punish me, didn’t you? So you took her away."

Henry’s face twisted in anguish. "No, Eira. I swear to you, I had nothing to do with her death."

He was lying. Henry had everything to do with it.

But he regretted killing Marion right after he started reading Eira’s diary. He thought Marion was a strong ally behind her.

Henry didn’t know that Marion just wanted for Eira to find peace instead of hate.

"Do you really think I’m stupid? Do you think I don’t know what you’re capable of? You killed her to show me that you can take anything you want from me. You killed her because you knew it would break me."

Henry’s hands shook as he reached for hers, but she stepped back. "I didn’t kill her," he said desperately. "I swear to you, I didn’t."

"Then why are you here?" Eira demanded, her voice broke again. "To watch me suffer? To pretend you care?"

"I’m here," Henry said quietly, "because I should have been there for you when you were a child. Because I should have protected you. Because I should have been your father."

Eira’s heart clenched painfully at his words, but she refused to let it show.

She shook her head, tears kept falling down her face. "It’s too late for that. You don’t get to claim that now. Not after everything."

Henry lowered his head. "I know. And I’ll carry that regret with me for the rest of my life."

Callian stepped forward, placing a protective arm around Eira. "You’ve done enough, Henry. Leave her alone."

Henry looked up at Callian. "Bastard! Stay away from my daughter!"

"Not until I watch her end you."

"Henry, leave!"

"Eira, I will disown everyone for you. But, please, let me be your father."

This statement only helped Eira to realize how pathetic and egotistic he was.

"No..."

Henry nodded slowly, rising to his feet. "I’ll go. But Eira... I swear to you, I didn’t hurt her. I didn’t hurt Marion. And if needed, I will leave everyone behind for you."

Eira turned away, unable to look at him. "Go," she said coldly. "Before I do something I won’t regret."

Henry hesitated for a moment longer before stepping back and walking away, his shoulders slumped.

As he disappeared down the street, Eira let out a shaky breath, leaning into Callian.

"Do you believe him?" Callian asked quietly.

Eira closed her eyes. "I don’t," she whispered. "But I’ll find out soon enough. He’s weakened."

"What do you mean?"

"Callian," Eira looked into his eyes, "he’s ready to give everything away for me."

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