Chapter One hundred and seventy-four

Lana’s POV

“Thank you for coming, everyone.” Fred's voice sounded melancholic. Although his expression was stoic, it was not hard to see that he was hurting and that the cool facade, which he was trying very hard to keep up, was slipping.

“This way, please.” A lady, who I assumed to be the cremator’s assistant, gestured towards a narrow hallway.

“How are you holding up?” As we all staggered behind the assistant, I whispered to Fred. “You should join us for dinner after this. We’re not close, but I’ll not advise that you should be alone during this period.”

Fred opened his mouth to speak; the look on his face said he was going to turn down my request, but Cameron chipped in.

“She’s right. A dinner after all this is over would be a good way to send her off with only good memories, and you should be there. Grieving all alone can be hard, and we would love to be there for you.”

The atmosphere around the crematorium was sombre when we arrived. The assistant who had escorted us into the