Chapter 555 - 151 Opening the Tomb

Chapter 555: Chapter 151 Opening the Tomb

Beckett’s POV

The past few days had been a labyrinth of revelations and unanswered questions. The weight of our discoveries pressed heavily on my shoulders as the acting head of the Sullivan family, but having Katarina beside me made the burden more manageable. Our world was changing rapidly, affecting everyone in our inner circle, though I held onto the belief that these upheavals would ultimately strengthen our position in the long run.

The divorce between my father and that manipulative snake Claire had been finalized exactly as we’d orchestrated. She retained possession of the estate—that house filled with bitter memories for Lila and me—along with her collection of luxury vehicles. Though part of me believed the settlement was overly generous, I couldn’t summon the energy to care. Purging that toxic woman from our family operations was victory enough, and my father appeared genuinely relieved to terminate a marriage he’d only maintained to shield my sister from harm. I shuddered to imagine what Claire might have inflicted upon Lila had my father not provided that legal protection through matrimony.

With Claire eliminated from our affairs, our immediate focus centered on fortifying Lila’s security, ensuring that venomous creature could never threaten my sister again.

Through Daniel and Detective Gideon’s connections within the system, we’d swiftly obtained authorization to exhume my mother’s remains and the infant buried alongside her for comprehensive DNA analysis. We’d arranged everything within Gideon’s jurisdiction; the detective had thrown himself wholeheartedly into our cause, navigating all the complex legal procedures with the presiding judge. Relief flooded through me when he secured permission to locate the other family—whoever they were deserved to learn the truth without further delay.

Now I stood in the cemetery alongside Gideon, Katarina, and two forensic specialists from the city morgue, awaiting the administration’s final clearance to open the tomb.

"Did I arrive in time?" My father’s voice pierced the solemn atmosphere as he approached our gathering with hurried steps.

"Dad, I thought you’d decided against coming!" My surprise was evident, given his adamant declaration yesterday that he wouldn’t attend.

"I reconsidered, Beckett." He paused to catch his breath. "Laying my wife and daughter to rest was the most devastating moment of my existence. She was so young with endless possibilities ahead—a future with her children—and this infant never experienced a single breath of life. Standing here while they’re disturbed is agonizing, but I refuse to be a coward. And I won’t abandon you to confront this alone." His gaze fixed upon the headstone with reverent solemnity, almost prayerful in its intensity.

"Nathaniel! What a surprise! I was merely bringing fresh flowers to daddy’s memorial and could scarcely believe what I was seeing. Hello there, gentlemen!"

My jaw clenched as Felicia, the local precinct captain’s wife, materialized beside our group.

This was precisely the complication we didn’t need—the neighborhood’s most notorious gossip witnessing our confidential family business.

"It would have been preferable if you’d overlooked us entirely or at least feigned ignorance," I muttered through gritted teeth.

"Ever the gentleman, aren’t you, Beckett?" Felicia’s eyes narrowed in my direction before redirecting her attention toward my father. "Nathaniel, I simply cannot ignore that despicable treatment you subjected Claire to. My dear friend is completely shattered—cast aside after years of devoted marriage and left with practically nothing!"

"Felicia," my father responded with measured control, "if there’s one absolute certainty in this entire mess, it’s that Claire isn’t suffering. And she’s hardly impoverished—she possesses a magnificent estate and a fleet of luxury automobiles in her name."

"You’re absolutely ruthless, Nathaniel!" She huffed with theatrical indignation. "Claire is emotionally destroyed. And here you stand, abandoning your devoted wife only to shed tears at some other woman’s grave." Her words made my hands twitch toward violence.

"Felicia, don’t insult my intelligence," my father’s composure finally cracked. "The woman interred here was my legitimate wife; Claire was merely the replacement. You understand perfectly how circumstances unfolded back then. In fact, you seem to possess intimate knowledge about everyone’s private affairs."

"We’d appreciate complete privacy," he continued firmly. "This concerns family matters exclusively, and your presence constitutes an unwelcome intrusion."

"My word, you’ve inherited your son’s appalling manners! Claire truly served as your moral foundation." Felicia was pivoting to leave just as the cemetery administrator appeared.

"Everything’s been approved, Mr. Sullivan! Your documentation is completely in order. We can proceed immediately with opening the tomb." The administrator’s announcement instantly captured Felicia’s undivided attention, causing her to whip back around toward us.

"Opening the tomb? What exactly are you people planning to accomplish?" Her eyes gleamed with barely concealed curiosity and malicious intent.

"None of your damn business!" I snapped, my patience completely evaporated.

"It absolutely is my concern! I’m married to this town’s precinct captain, and if you’re engaging in grave desecration, I’m contacting my husband immediately." Felicia knew perfectly well this was a legitimate legal procedure, but she was fishing desperately for information to spread.

"Nobody is desecrating anything, Mrs. Felicia..." the administrator began before catching my warning glare and promptly silencing himself.

"Felicia, leave immediately. Now." My voice rose as my restraint completely disintegrated.

"I absolutely will not, you insolent punk! This community maintains laws and standards of proper conduct. Explain right now why you’re opening this grave!"

Felicia’s self-righteous posturing was almost comical if it weren’t so infuriating.

"Felicia, enough!" Katarina stepped forward decisively, her patience clearly exhausted beyond measure. "Depart now unless you want me to grab your hair exactly like I did with Claire."

"Who do you think you’re—" Felicia began indignantly, but stopped abruptly when Katarina lunged aggressively toward her, reaching for her carefully styled hair. Felicia stumbled backward in genuine alarm. "You’re completely insane! This isn’t finished, this isn’t finished!" She retreated hastily.

With Felicia finally gone, I authorized the cemetery workers to proceed with opening the grave. Once the tomb lay exposed, we confronted the most emotionally challenging part: collecting the delicate remains. My father completely broke down, sobbing as intensely as he had on that tragic burial day—a memory still vivid in my mind after all these years. This time, however, I could provide him support. Katarina and I flanked him on either side, steadying his trembling frame as we watched the workers meticulously gather each fragile bone and place them in specially designated containers. The forensic experts then collected their required samples, and afterward, my mother and the mysterious baby would finally rest in eternal peace. We’d decided to transfer their remains to separate chambers in the ossuary, ensuring that whichever family the infant ultimately belonged to—whether ours or another’s—would have an appropriate place to pay their respects.

With the cemetery procedures finally completed, all we could do now was wait patiently for the crucial test results.

"Excuse me, sir." A hesitant voice interrupted my contemplation. I turned to discover a stranger with anxious, worried eyes. "Sorry to disturb you, but they informed me that baby you just relocated might actually be mine?"