I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder.

Leo sighed. "Are you okay?" He asked softly.

"I'm fine." I forced myself to smile.

I turned to look at him. "Are you okay?" I lightly chuckled. "She insulted you too."

Leo scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes. "Don't worry about me. Her remark hurt, but you know I'm used to insults towards our relationship by now. You can thank the 'Runaway Girl' for that."

I giggled, shaking my head at the nickname he gave Maia. "Don't remind me of her, please."

Leo chuckled, placing his hands in his pant pockets. "Alright, well I'm gonna go inside. I'll look for a place to sit and save you a spot." Leo's eyes glanced at something behind me. "It looks like someone wants to talk to you." He whispered as he stepped back from me, turning around to walk towards the church.

I slowly turned around, seeing Christian again.

"He really was her favorite huh?" I faintly smiled.

Christian softly chuckled, lightly swinging his foot in the blades of grass.

"Yeah, she loved Danny like she didn't have another son." Christian shook his head in remembrance.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." I sorrowfully frowned. 

Christian brushed me off. "No, it's okay," he paused. "I was okay."

Christian shrugged. "That was just the way she was. I knew she wasn't going to change."

Christian took his eyes off the ground and looked at me. "Do you mind taking a walk with me?" He held out his hand.

I smiled, taking his hand. We walked in comfortable silence until I spoke up. "Why'd your mother blame me for Danny's death?" I mumbled.

Christian sighed. "She's in denial. I listened to the message Danny left her before he died. He told her he was in a lot of trouble and I told her what that trouble was."

Christian furrowed his eyebrows. "Danny was charged with first-degree kidnapping, drug possession, and um, sexual assault."

His eyes met mine. I looked away and cleared my throat. "Go on." I said softly.

"My mother didn't want to believe me or the police. My father knew I wouldn't lie about Danny like that. She thought Danny was the golden child. In her eyes, he could never do anything wrong. She asked me why Danny was charged with sexual assault and I told her it was because he harmed you."

Christian narrowed his eyes, lightly scoffing to himself. "She said you must have provoked him to make him do anything to you."

"Oh, wow." I softly chuckled in disbelief trying to deter how hurt I was. My breath staggered as I exhaled, quickly blinking to prevent myself from crying.

Christian lightly squeezed my hand in a comforting manner. "I know. I was so angry she'd even think like that."

"She's too wrapped up in the idea of Danny being perfect. When she found out he had died so suddenly after promising he'd see her again, she didn't know what to think."

"All she knew was that he went back to the United States for you. You were the only person he wanted to be with. And when Danny eventually told her you 'left' him, she thought it made Danny so emotionally distraught, he went out of his way to put himself in danger, resulting in his death."

I scoffed. "Does your father believe her story?"

Christian chuckled, shaking his head. "No, not at all. He knows what happened to Danny. We saw the surveillance video from the gas station, we saw the dash-cam from the police cars. Danny got shot, he panicked and cried out for me."

"My father and I saw how afraid he was and once he was shot the second time, that was it. He was dead."

Christian faintly shrugged his shoulders. "My mother refused to watch Danny's death. She's too afraid of the truth. I guess it was easier for her to blame you."

"And I understand her pain I do, but she shouldn't take it out on you."

As my hand was still intertwined with his, I could feel his attempts to resist the trembles of despair that desperately yearned to overcome him.

"Honestly, I just wish she knew how devastated I was when I found him."

...

I sat outside the entrance of the church not wanting to go inside yet. I knew Leo was waiting for me, but I just couldn't bring myself to go in and see the casket Danny was in.

I heard footsteps approach me.

"Well, look who it is."

I raised my head, seeing a familiar face. "Kyle?"

He smiled at me, helping me up and pulled me into a hug. "Hey Nadia."

"Oh my god, what are you doing here?" I pulled away, getting a good look at his face. He practically looked the same. Only difference was the dark brown springy curls he used to wear out was now cut short with delicate waves.

"Look at you and your waves, showing out." I beamed, eagerly complimenting him.

Kyle bashfully chuckled, lightly brushing his hair forward. "Thanks, thanks. But yeah, I'm here because I was fortunate of being Danny's roommate for three years. We were still pretty good friends even after he left."

"Plus, I was invited." Kyle joked. I lightly laughed.

Kyle sighed deeply, shrugging his shoulders. "I just wish I got to see him before he passed away."

"Me too Kyle. Me too." I trailed off.

He raised an eyebrow at me and smiled. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

I scoffed at his joking manner. "As you know," I began, playfully smiling at him. "I used to be a pretty big deal in Danny's life."

Kyle laughed, grinning at me. "Right..."

I giggled, appreciating this little cheerful moment on this gloomy day.

"And I um," I nervously picked at my nails. "I had an encounter with him a while back." I said sheepishly, twirling a loose coil of my hair around my index finger.

Kyle chuckled. "An encounter huh? Why am I not surprised you two got back together?" He teased, slyly waiting for my reaction. I laughed, playfully pushing Kyle away. "Yeah that's real funny Kyle." I rolled my eyes.

I quickly noticed he saw the ring on my finger. He narrowed his eyes in curiosity. "You're...married?"

"Engaged." I corrected him, twisting the ring around my finger.

He admired it silently.

"Do you love him?" He suddenly asked.

"What?"

"Your fiancé? Do you love him?"

I was hesitant to answer.

I sighed. "I love him enough to marry him but," I looked towards the ground. "Everything with Danny and the memories, I just," I lightly slapped my thigh, trying to come up with the words I wanted to say.

"I don't know, it's hard." I shrugged, faintly chuckling at myself. "That seems horrible, but-,"

"No, I get it. I'm not judging you at all Nadia, I know where you've been." Kyle reassuringly smiled at me.

Kyle looked towards the church doors. "Do you wanna go inside now? I'll walk with you."

I smiled, relaxing my shoulders. "Okay."

Kyle and I silently walked down the aisle and I glanced at Danny's casket.

It wasn't open and I was greatly relieved. A beautiful display of red, yellow, and white flowers were laid upon his casket.

I gazed at his portrait that was nicely framed, placed on a stand beside his casket. His eyes were lively, his smile was mesmerizing. All you could see was how young he was.

I wasn't supposed to be here.

No one was supposed to be here this soon.

I saw Leo seated with Amelia and Jay. "We can sit over there, Amelia's there with her boyfriend Jay, and Leo, my fiancé." Kyle nodded as he followed me to the pew where they were seated.

Amelia stood up, greeting Kyle and I with a hug. "How have you been Kyle?" She asked softly. "Good, good. You?" Amelia smiled, looking down at Jay. "It's been great."

I giggled, glancing over at Kyle. "It's because of Jay."

"I see that." Kyle laughed. Jay grinned, now briefly standing up to shake Kyle's hand and pull me into a hug. "It's good to see you too Jay." I whispered, chuckling quietly.

I took a seat beside Leo and Kyle quickly greeted Leo before sitting down next to me. Amelia leaned forward to get my attention. I leaned towards her.

"Are you okay?" She mouthed.

I nodded. "I think so." I mouthed back.

She reached out for my hand and tightly held it before the funeral service began.

...

The service wasn't that long. Hymns were sung, readings were read. Christian delivered a lengthy eulogy for his brother, making people smile with light-hearted stories and childhood memories. Then some of Danny's family members spoke on the behalf of him.

It was nice to hear all the positive aspects of Danny. In the moment, it definitely overshadowed all the unpleasant memories I had with him that I kept buried deep in the depths of my mind.

Kyle spoke too, and though Leo didn't want me to speak, I was the last one to make a tribute to Danny.

In that speech, I knew my words hurt Leo. I expressed how much I truly loved Danny. I recalled cute little things he'd do for me and cherished the nuances of his mannerisms that made my heart flutter.

Once upon a time, he felt like home.

I was grateful I got to know him. The happiness I experienced when we were together was unmatched.

Of course I couldn't forget the pain, anger, and sadness he caused, but no one ever mentions the shitty things people have done at their funeral.

Lastly, I hoped that Danny Giovanni Brivio, rested in peace.

I glanced at the crowd, softly chuckling as I excused myself for shedding a few tears. I folded the tear-stained paper my speech was written on, stepping away from the podium as I made my way back to my seat.

I gazed at his casket for a moment and I felt like I could do it. I felt like I could forgive him.

...

I entered the church again once majority of the people were at the reception. I slowly walked over to Danny's casket, holding the bouquet of roses I had with me.

I sat down on the steps, placing the roses down near his casket. I looked at his portrait again and smiled to myself.

"Hey Danny." I gently grasped the diamond necklace he'd given me. "I still have this after everything that happened. I think I'll keep it."

I sighed. "You know I have a box, tucked away in my closet and it's where I keep all my memories of you and I." I sniffled. "I wish you weren't gone. I know prison probably wouldn't have been the greatest experience, but it would have been better than where you are now."

"I listened to your voicemail you left me." I shook my head. "I didn't want to hate you again. You messed me up, I'll admit that. But I know you didn't mean it, at least that's what I believe."

I glanced up at his portrait. "And I just wish I could hear it from you. Your apology, the reason behind everything that happened. Why it happened. But just know, whatever it is, I forgive you. I know that's all you wanted and I hope that brings you peace Danny."

"Anyway, I, um, I have to go now. I'll visit you soon." I stood up, walking away from his casket.

I looked back one more time.

"I love you too Danny." I whispered.

...

My eyes fell upon Amelia and I smiled to myself as I quickly recognized she was talking to Kris and Nick.

I walked over to them, excitedly waving to get their attention. "Hey!"

Kris's eyes lit up when she finally noticed me. "Nadia!" She ran towards me, giving me a quick hug. "It's so good to see you again. I'm so glad you're safe." Kris brightly smiled.

"Amelia called Kris when she found out you were okay." Nick explained. "We were so relieved."

He frowned, sadly glancing around his surroundings. "It's unfortunate about Danny though. I can't believe he's gone."

Kris lightly shook her head, scowling as her eyes looked out into the distance in thought. "I hate to say this at his funeral but he definitely deserved to go to prison after what he did to you Nadia. I mean, kidnapping? What was he thinking?" Kris scoffed.

"Yeah." I quietly agreed.

Kris sighed, furrowing her eyebrows in sorrow. "I do hope they find whoever killed him though. It was so mysterious."

Nick nodded. "Yeah, they still don't have any leads or motives."

I faintly gasped, having a slight revelation of the past. Danny's voice echoed in my mind.

"Because Maia wanted to ruin us too. She wanted you to be all alone once this was all over. Without Leo, without me. That's all she really wanted."

"Maia." I whispered aloud.

"What?" Amelia raised an eyebrow, giving me a confused look.

My eyes locked with hers. "Maia." I repeated. "Danny told me she wanted to ruin us too. Not just Leo and me. You know how angry she would get when things didn't go her way."

Amelia's eyes widened, quickly catching on to what I was thinking. "Oh my god, Nadia you don't think-,"

Nick and Kris awkwardly glanced at each other, wondering what was happening.

"Maia killed him. One way or another, she did it. Who else would be out to kill Danny?" I shook my head. "Oh my god, that gas station murder wasn't random." I mumbled to myself as my eyes teared up.

"Okay, Nadia calm down." Amelia cautiously pleaded with her hands, sensing my overreaction.

I saw Christian with his parents at the corner of my eye.

I bolted over to them.

"Nadia!" Amelia called out, quickly following behind me. "Oh my god, she better not say anything stupid."

Picking up on the drama, Kris and Nick trailed along.

Christian saw the urgent look on my face as I approached them. "Nadia, what's wrong?" He apprehensively gazed at me.

I quickly caught my breath as my chest rapidly rose and fell.

"Mr. and Mrs. Brivio, I think I know who killed your son."