Chapter 15

"But Luke, my child is gone. How do you expect me to forgive? While you have your happy family, am I destined to grow old alone?"

Outside the cathedral, cars passed on a pathway blanketed with golden ginkgo leaves. Each passing car stirred up a whirlwind of the withered leaves.

"You compromised in the end too, didn't you? You're married now. Why come back to waste my time? Does your wife know you're here?" I rubbed my slightly sore arm, thinking that tomorrow would probably be rainy.

These past couple of years, due to relentless work, I had acquired some occupational ailments. I couldn't risk exposure to the wind; it made my whole body ache.

Luke tried to take off his coat to offer it to me, but I declined, creating a considerable distance between us.

Seeing that I wouldn't compromise, he changed the subject. "Today is Max's funeral. I attended and brought a gift on your behalf. The funeral arrangements were impeccably done."

The news of Max's sudden demise had caught everyone b