Slowly, I stepped forward.
I knelt before the empty casket.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Silence fell.
They were waiting.
Waiting for me to confess.
Gracie's POV
"Now that you're finally thinking straight, confess," my mother urged, hope trembling in her voice. "For Lily's sake." Her pain bled into every word, a mix of longing and grief.
Tears blurred my vision as I stared at Lily's framed picture resting atop the casket. I could almost hear her voice—soft, sweet, full of life.
"My pretty Aunt! Come play with your cute niece!"
Her laughter rang in my ears, a memory so vivid it felt real. I saw her bouncing onto my bed, giggling as she kissed my cheeks.
"Wake up, wake up! Let’s play!"
I used to wrap her in my arms, tickling her until she squealed, filling my room with happiness.
But now, all that was left was silence.
A hollow ache spread through my chest. My throat tightened, and before I knew it, I was sobbing.
“Tell us, Gracie,” my mother pleaded.
"Tell us now, Gracie," Anastasia echoed, desperation in her voice.
The pain inside me was unbearable. My fingers clutched at my chest as if I could physically hold myself together. My voice trembled.
"I'm sorry, Lily," I choked out.