Chapter 217: Stay With Me

“Dickson,” Sierra said softly. “You did well.” She could barely remember what had happened in the past few hours. She had been lost, but Dickson had taken care of everything.

Sierra didn’t want to leave Grandma alone. She hated the idea of her being in that cold, sterile place, but she had no choice. She turned to leave with Dickson when Johnathan’s voice stopped her.

“Wait. The funeral staff will be here soon.”

Dickson’s eyes widened. “How?” He had already tried to contact them before. They had told him the earliest they could come was tomorrow. It was New Year’s; there simply weren’t enough people available. That was why they had no choice but to leave Grandma in the morgue for the night. Sierra knew immediately that it was Johnathan. He had arranged it so she wouldn’t have to leave Grandma alone.

She looked at him, her voice soft. “Thank you.” She wasn’t sure if he even realized how much this meant to her.

Johnathan simply said, “She was my Grandma too.”

The funeral staff arrived quickly. Johnathan went with Sierra and Dickson to escort Grandma to the funeral home. Everything had already been prepared. Sierra knew Johnathan must have gone through a lot of trouble to make this happen. This wasn’t something a simple thank you could cover.

“Drink this,” Johnathan handed her a cup of hot water. Her hands were freezing; she took it without thinking. Then, she noticed something. Grabbing Johnathan’s hand, she turned it over. She brushed her fingers over it, and when she pulled back, her fingertips were stained red. Blood. A fresh wound.

Johnathan was wearing a black coat. The blood blended in; if she hadn’t noticed the slight difference in color, she wouldn’t have seen it at all. Johnathan pulled his hand away.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” He made it sound so casual. But Sierra wasn’t stupid. Winter clothes were thick. How could a simple scratch go that deep? And why was it still bleeding?

“Hospital. Now,” Sierra stood up immediately.

“It’s really nothing serious,” Johnathan insisted. He didn’t want to go. If they went, she’d know the truth.

“Johnathan,” her voice was low, firm. “Grandma is already gone. Don’t make me worry about you too. Please.”

Johnathan paused, then he sighed. “Alright.”

At the hospital, Sierra refused to leave his side. As soon as the coat was removed and his sleeve was rolled up, she finally saw the full extent of the injury. Her stomach twisted. The blood hadn’t fully stopped, and it was clearly a gunshot wound. She sucked in a breath. The only fortunate thing was that the bullet had passed through; no surgery was needed. Still, she sat there, watching as the doctor cleaned and bandaged his arm. Her expression was unreadable. Johnathan stole a glance at her. For the first time in his life, he felt guilty. He cleared his throat.

“It’s really just a small wound.” He had taken far worse before, but the moment his eyes met hers, he shut his mouth. Sierra’s gaze was cold, sharp.

“Was it Shane?” Her voice was tight. She had always known Shane wouldn’t let Johnathan off easily.

Johnathan shook his head. “No.” He didn’t know who was responsible. He hadn’t had time to investigate. The moment he heard about Grandma, nothing else had mattered. But even if it was Shane, he wouldn’t tell her.

“Things are complicated with my family,” he said instead. “There are plenty of people who don’t want me around.” It wasn’t a lie. There were indeed people who wanted him dead; they just hadn’t dared to act before.

Sierra looked at him, her mind racing. Then she exhaled slowly.

“You never talk about your family.”

Johnathan chuckled. “My family is complicated. I’ll tell you about it one day.” Then he stood up.

“Come on. Let’s go back to Grandma.”

Sierra hesitated, then nodded. That night, none of them slept. They kept vigil for Grandma.

The next morning, Sierra held a small, private farewell ceremony. Then she prepared for the cremation. Johnathan looked at her.

“You don’t have to rush this.”

Sierra shook her head. “This was her wish.”

Afterward, she carried Grandma’s ashes home. She, Johnathan, and Dickson sat down together. They made a decision. They would wait until after the festival. That way, Grandma could spend a whole New Year with them. Then, she would finally be set free.