Chapter 53

The days leading up to kathy's funeral were a blur of sorrow and preparations. I managed to get kathy's sister, Ashley, out of jail temporarily to attend the funeral. It was a grueling process, but she needed to be there. Max was with me every step of the way, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of grief.

On the day of the funeral, the sky was overcast, fitting the somber mood. The service was held at a small, intimate chapel surrounded by tall oak trees. The scent of fresh rain lingered in the air, and the soft murmur of the crowd filled the silence.

Ashley and I worked together, choosing a simple, elegant casket and arranging for white lilies—kathy's favorite flower—to be placed around it. The chapel was filled with friends and family, their faces etched with sorrow. The atmosphere was heavy, the weight of loss palpable.

I stood at the podium, my hands trembling as I looked out at the gathered faces. "kathy was more than a friend to me. She was my sister, my confidant, my rock. She saw me through my darkest times and brought light into my life when I needed it most. Her kindness and strength will live on in our hearts forever."

Tears blurred my vision as I stepped down, feeling Max's supportive arm around my shoulders. Ashley gave a heartfelt eulogy, her voice breaking with emotion as she spoke about their childhood and the bond they shared. The chapel echoed with quiet sobs and the soft rustle of tissues.

After the service, we moved to the gravesite. The rain started to fall lightly, mingling with our tears as we said our final goodbyes. I placed a single white lily on kathy's casket, whispering, "I'll miss you every day, Kathy. Thank you for everything."

Max led me back to the car, holding an umbrella over us. The drive back to his apartment was silent, the weight of the day pressing down on us. Once inside, I collapsed onto the couch, feeling utterly drained.

Max sat beside me, handing me a glass of water. "Drink this," he said gently. I took it, sipping slowly, the cool water soothing my parched throat.

"Max," I began, my voice barely a whisper, "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for my insecurities and for doubting you. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

He shook his head, his eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to apologize, Kenzy. It's not your fault. Kathy's death... it's not your fault. I'm here for you, and we'll get through this together."

I looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. "I feel so empty without her. She was my strength, my guide. I don't know how to move on."

Max took my hand, squeezing it gently. "One day at a time. We'll take it one day at a time. It's okay to grieve, to feel lost. But you're not alone. I'm here, Cherry's here, and we'll support you."

As the days turned into weeks, I slowly started to navigate life without Kathy. Max was always there, his steady presence a comforting balm to my aching heart. He encouraged me to talk about Kathy, to share stories and memories. It helped, little by little, to ease the pain.

One evening, as the sun set in a blaze of orange and pink, Max and I sat on the balcony, watching the stars. "Kathy would have loved this view," I said, a small smile playing on my lips.

Max nodded, his arm around my shoulders. "She's watching over you, Kenzy. She'd want you to be happy, to live your life to the fullest."

I leaned into him, feeling a sense of peace for the first time in weeks. "Thank you, Max. For everything."

He kissed the top of my head, his voice soft. "Always, Kenzy. Always."

And so, with the support of those around me, I began to heal. Cathy's memory lived on in my heart, guiding me as I moved forward, one day at a time.

The results were out, and Max and I had passed with flying colors. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Graduation was still a month away, and I couldn't shake the dread that loomed over me. Despite Max's constant reassurance, I felt on edge.

One evening, I confided in Max. "I don't want to walk the stage at graduation, Max. I just want to get my certificate through email and move on."

He looked at me, concerned. "Kenzy, your dad promised he'd be there. And I'll be there too. You should do it for yourself. You've worked so hard."

His words were comforting. "Okay," I finally agreed. "Since you and my dad will be there, I'll do it."

To celebrate our results, Max planned a romantic dinner. He took me to a cozy restaurant with soft lighting and a warm atmosphere. The food was exquisite, and for a while, I felt a sense of peace. Max was attentive, making sure I enjoyed every moment.

The next week, we decided to have a small gathering at Louiss place. Cherry, Jessica, Kristine, Harry, Simon, and Louis joined us. The atmosphere was relaxed, with laughter and friendly banter filling the room. We played board games and reminisced about our time at school. For a while, I forgot my worries and enjoyed the company of friends.

But as the night progressed, Louis pulled me aside. "Kenzy, can we talk?" he asked, his tone unusually serious.

I followed him to a quieter corner. "What's up, Louis?"

"I know what Rick did to Kathy," he began, his eyes narrowing.

My stomach churned. "What do you mean?"

"You're always full of yourself, thinking everything revolves around you," he sneered.

I bristled. "Kathy would never do anything wrong. I know her better than anyone."

Louis laughed, a harsh sound. "You think you're so smart. Do you know what Kathy took from us? A lot of money, and her sister Ashley is involved too. They'll both pay for it."

I was stunned. "What do you want, Louis?"

He leaned in closer, his voice a menacing whisper. "fifty million."

I was shocked. "Where do you expect me to get that kind of money?"

"Figure it out," he snapped. "Oh, and how do you think Max will react when he finds out you're the one who killed Diana?"

I felt the blood drain from my face. "You're lying," I whispered.

He smirked and showed me a video on his phone. My heart sank as I recognized the scene. "What do you want from me, Louis?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"You're going to pay for everything Kathy and Ashley did. One hundred million, Kenzy. Or your secret gets out."

I was left standing there, feeling the weight of the world crashing down on me. The joyful gathering felt like a distant memory, replaced by a looming threat that I didn't know how to handle.