Emily's pov

I turn off the engine of my car and take a deep breath.

The last time I was here was 2 years ago when I tried to face my fears and talk to him.

But that didn't go too well...

My nerves got the better of me and I chickened out.

I shake that memory out of my head and exit my car.

The sun is beginning to set and the sky is a mixture of pinks, blues and purples.

The incredible view almost makes me forget where my feet are taking me.

I slowly walk up the steps that are boarded by beautiful flowers blooming on the stone walls beside me.

I approach a huge black gate that is thankfully open and walk inside.

The feeling of regret is heavy on my heart, I have gone far too long without ever looking back, without thinking of the repercussions and the mental toll it would take on me.

I took a deep breath and walked in. My feet involuntarily leading me to the place I spent most of my time, and where I felt most at peace.

My footsteps were the only sound echoing through the almost emty cemetery, deafening me with every step that took me closer to him.

The marble headstone came into view, the lamps of the cemetery shone alongside the moonlight, illuminating it.

My eyes teared up as I read the words carved onto the white marble:

"In loving memory

GREGORY BROWN

A short life well lived."

A sob escaped my lips as I read those simple words that held so much truth to them.

I sit down cross legged at the food of the my father's grave and look up at the sky.

"I'm so sorry dad." I barely get out between sobs.

"I have been a terrible daughter, not visiting you in over two years, not giving you the time of day and blocking any thoughts of you out of my mind." I say and fiddle with the patch of grass next to me.

"I allowed myself to be so weak, buried myself in my schoolwork and everything else under the sun, except come and visit you."

I pause and take a breath.

"I guess I didn't want to accept the fact that you're actually gone, that you're not here to comfort me when I cry, join Max in teasing me, talk about the Hunger Games and finally see me graduate." I continue weakly.

"Not having you here is hard dad... I miss you every single day. It's pretty hard on mom as well, she likes to make it seem like she always has everything under control, but I know her well enough to see through her facade." I sigh.

"Not having you here is tough, on all of us. Max wasn't lucky enough to know you quite well, he was very young, but he also is suffering the loss of his father."

"But I know you're in a better place. This cruel world did not deserve such a pure and loving soul. You brought light into every room you stepped foot into, put a smile on everyone's faces, and warmed up every single heart you touched." I sniff.

" I promise to visit you every chance I get, to remember you memory with love and gratitude, to have even had the privilege of knowing you is the greatest thing I have ever had."

"I love you, dad." I whisper, stand up, and graze my fingertips over the headstone.

"Emily?" A shaky voice says from behind me.

I whip around very quickly, nearly tripping over, and look up, locking eyes with a pair of green irises, encircled by redness replacing the once clear eyes.

"Axel." I breathe out.

He looks exhausted, worn out, like he hasn't slept for days.

My heartrate starts to quicken, not being able to mask the hurt on my face when I see him.

Days passed since that incident, yet his betrayal hasn't left my mind for a second.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to get my mind off that event but immediately regret it after his already saddened faces morphs into one of grief.

"Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that." I quickly say as I wipe my own tear stained cheeks.

He warned me not to meddle in his business, yet here I am, doing that exact thing.

"It's fine. I could ask you the same thing." He brushes me off and tries to give me a small smile.

I appreciate that he didn't lash out on me like I expected him to.

"My- my dad." I say and break into sobs all over again.

I burry my face in my hands and try to control myself, but fail.

I don't want to cry in front of him again.

"Come here." Axel says, walks closer to me and engulfs me in a tight hug, gently rocking me back and forth, all the while whispering soothing words in my ear.

I'm shocked by his kind gesture.

I stay silent, debating whether or not to give in to my pain and just let him hold me.

After a few seconds the rational side of me loses and I weakly wrap my arms around his torso, bury my face further into his chest, and take in his cologne which surprisingly calms me down.

Oh Axel, you're going to be the death of me...