Tempting the Billionaire and His Heir

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The news of Anthony’s death had hit Nolan and Alexa like a ton of bricks. They were both devastated, but in their own ways. Alexa blamed herself for not calling the police sooner, while Nolan withdrew into himself and didn’t talk to anyone.

At the hospital, Nolan stayed silent while listening to the doctors’ reports alongside Alexa. The doctors had already told them that Anthony had died when he was shot. Alexa knew it was her fault for not calling the police sooner. She couldn’t help but feel responsible for what had happened.

They stayed at the hospital for a while, visiting the staff that had suffered during the invasion and checking up on their families. Nolan had offered to pay for their hospital expenses and even compensated for their stay until their recovery. Alexa was surprised that without hesitation, Nolan would do such a thing, and it made her guilt grow even more.

In her mind, she wished that Anthony had survived the robbery. She hoped that he would have been able to see his son’s immediate action to help other people affected. She watched as Nolan put everyone first before himself, skipping meals to help feed the kids of the housekeeping staff. Some of the older housekeepers had grandchildren of their own, and Nolan even helped them cope and give hope. It made Alexa wonder if Nolan too had hope in him to get him by.

The ones that didn’t survive, Nolan took immediate action to help them financially and to embrace their accusation in the kindest manner. He didn’t flinch when one of the sons of the leading housekeeper yelled at him that he let his father die. He made it clear that it was none of anybody’s desire to have their loved ones hurt. He even brought up how his father died. But Alexa knew she could have done something to stop it.

All throughout the week, Nolan mostly left his room to tend to those who were hurt and killed. Yet he never bothered to eat nor even drink a glass of water to get him going. Alexa verbally told Nolan she would stay by his side, but he seemed oddly calm at her words.

The time came when Nolan had to face his father one last time. He had never seen Nolan so broken. He was stoic as he walked up to the coffin, but Alexa knew he was struggling to keep it together. She stood by his side as he said his final goodbyes, and she felt a wave of sadness wash over her.

The day of the funeral was overcast and gloomy, as if the skies themselves were mourning Anthony’s passing. A somber procession of mourners made their way to the church, dressed in their finest black attire. Nolan, wearing a black suit and tie, walked alongside Alexa, who held his hand tightly.

The church was packed with people paying their respects, many of whom had worked for Anthony over the years. The altar was adorned with white lilies and a large portrait of Anthony, dressed in his finest suit, looked down upon the proceedings.

As the service began, the priest spoke of Anthony’s life, his generosity, his kindness, and his dedication to his family and employees. Alexa couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt as she listened to the eulogy, knowing that she could have done more to prevent his death.

Nolan, on the other hand, sat stone-faced, his eyes fixed on the portrait of his father. He had hardly spoken a word since the robbery and seemed to be in a constant state of shock and disbelief.

As the service came to an end, Nolan and Alexa joined the procession of mourners as they made their way to the cemetery. The rain had started to fall, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

At the gravesite, the priest recited a final prayer, and the pallbearers lowered the coffin into the ground. Nolan stepped forward and laid a single white rose on top of the casket, his hand trembling slightly.

As the mourners began to disperse, Nolan remained standing by the graveside, lost in thought. Alexa approached him and put a hand on his shoulder, offering him some comfort.

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the rain falling around them. Finally, Nolan turned to Alexa, his eyes filled with pain and sadness.

“I don’t know how to go on without him,” he whispered. “He was my everything.”

Alexa didn’t know what to say, but she took his hand and squeezed it tightly. Together, they stood there in the rain, mourning the loss of Anthony and trying to find the strength to carry on.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.