Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery


    <b>Chapter </b><b>68 </b><b>The National </b>Military Cemetery


    Willow froze when she looked toward the memorial hall’s entrance. It wasn’t just two neat rows of soldiers standing guard, but government officials were there too. They were dressed in ck, solemnly waiting at the gates.


    The sight hit her like a p to the face.


    Moments ago, she had mocked Chloe as she imagined her walking alone behind the hearse with no family to see her parents off.


    But the scene before her was not what she had in mind. Even without the Qualls, it <i>seemed </i>like the whole


    country hade to honor Chloe’s parents.


    They were heroes. And a nation never forgets its heroes.


    Even passersby on the street stopped, their gazes drawn to the scene unfolding before the hall.


    Willow’s face paled in an instant. Then, she spotted Brian among the crowd.


    He was dressed in a ck suit. His expression was grave, and his eyes were fixed only on Chloe. <fnca5e> Official source is find?novel</fnca5e>


    Her chest tightened. She wondered what he was doing there. Was he really attending Chloe’s parents‘


    funeral? That was impossible.


    Brian had never cared about life or death. To her knowledge, he had only attended two funerals in his life. One was Emily’s, and the other was Martin’s.


    Yet now, here he was.


    Willow wondered if that meant Chloe’s parents held a ce in his heart equal to Emily or even Martin, the


    man who raised him.


    The thought made Willow clench her fists. Her resentment toward Chloe red hotter than ever.


    Chloe walked toward the two rows of soldiers with the urn in her arms.


    At once, the soldiers raised their hands in salute. It was to honor the fallen.


    A g war draped over the urn, a mark of the sacrifice her parents had made for their country.


    The national anthem rang out. Chloe’s eyes stung as the stirring notes carried across the sky.


    The g and the anthem had been her parents‘ faith. They had given their lives so that peace could


    endure.


    When the anthem ended, a government official approached her. “We’re sorry for your loss. Your parents were truly loyal citizens. Both Alverton and Yarfdale will remember them.”


    Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery


    Chloe lowered her gaze to the urn in her arms. She knew it was true. The government had worked tirelessly to bring her parents‘ remains home despite the obstacles.


    Now, they could finally rest in their homnd, just as they had wished.


    “We’ll escort them to the national military cemetery,” the official said.


    Chloe nodded. She boarded the hearse with the urn. She was apanied by her parents‘rades,


    Ethan, and Lena.


    When she boarded the car, she saw Brian through the ss. He stood solemnly in the crowd.


    A flood of emotions rose in her chest.


    Their eyes met through the window. He hade, just as he promised, to see her parents off.


    At first, Brian seemed like a moody, hard–to–read man who lived in death’s shadow. But he had always


    shown respect toward her parents.


    That respect revealed a different side of him. One she hadn’t noticed before.


    The hearse pulled away slowly. Along the roadside, strangers stopped walking. Some lowered their heads


    as they watched the hearse pass.


    Chloe’s vision blurred. They were honoring her parents.


    Heroes deserved nothing less.


    When they reached the national military cemetery, the staff were already waiting for them.


    The burial was solemn.


    Four soldiers lowered the urn into the ground. Chloe followed close behind, carrying her parents‘ portrait.


    The Qualls, government officials, and military representatives stood behind her. Lena, Ethan, and Brian


    kept to the rear.


    Lena couldn’t hide her surprise when she noticed Brian.


    She didn’t think he would attend the funeral. Not to mention, he wasn’t iming attention, but standing quietly at the back. It was almost as if his presence was not motivated by any personal gain or desire for


    renown.


    He was there for Chloe’s parents.


    She wondered why he would do that. As far as she knew, Brian and Chloe had only met recently. Was it just because her parents were heroes, or was there something more?


    She nced at Brian again. His eyes never left Chloe.


    Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery


    The gaze that was usually sharp and cold now held only a quiet intensity. It seemed like Chloe was the only person in the world to him.


    A chill ran through Lena. Could Brian be falling for her friend?


    Given the rumors about him, she couldn’t be sure how a cold man like him would behave once he fell in


    love.


    She couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen to Chloe if she didn’t return Brian’s feelings.


    Alverton’s g covered the urn. Beside it, Chloe had ced a bullet pendant.


    Tears welled in her eyes. That pendant had been Walter’s treasure. It was a reminder of the day Jenna


    had saved his life. He had always said that his life belonged not only to the nation, but to her.


    And in the end, he kept that promise. They had died together under fire. He had given his life to both.


    The honor guard raised their rifles.


    Seven shots cracked through the air. It was a soldier’s farewell.


    Chloe finally let her tears fall. “Dad, Mom… you can finally rest now.”