The rain had started falling gently...
Its sound felt calm, soft — like it was trying to heal everyone's heart.
People sat quietly.
But their silence held a deep sadness.
Ethan's father slowly walked to the front,
His eyes were red,
But his voice was steady.
He looked at the people and said,
"My son…
He was like a gem.
All his life, I tried to protect him.
But today, I lost him."
He took a small pause,
Looked up at the sky as if trying to hold back his tears.
"But today… I also came to know something else.
My son was not just a gem —
He had the sharpness of a warrior.
He gave up his life to protect others.
He made sacrifices."
His voice cracked a little.
"I didn't know he was so strong.
So brave…
But now, I'm proud of him.
Proud to call him my son."
At the end, he felt heavy inside.
But he held himself together.
He walked back slowly, and Ethan's mother held his hand.
They sat down among the people.
Evelyn looked at James.
James looked back at her and gave a small nod.
She stood up.
Walked slowly to the front.
Took a deep breath and spoke —
"This… is not just about Ethan.
This is about a boy who never cared about his own safety…
A boy who didn't ask if he could do it.
He just did it."
She paused, looked around.
"I met him unexpectedly.
And to be honest…
I didn't even want him with me on that last assignment.
I thought he wasn't ready."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"I wish… I had done something.
I wish I had said something that day.
Maybe… he would still be with us."
She looked down for a moment,
then gathered herself again.
"People say that whatever happens… happens for a reason.
Maybe his sacrifice had a reason too.
Maybe… it was to remind us that true courage still exists."
With a long breath, she stepped back.
Came to her seat and sat down beside James.
James smiled gently and whispered,
"That was beautiful."
Evelyn didn't say anything,
But her heart felt a little lighter.
And as the rain kept falling…
So did the love for a boy who had become a hero.
One by one, people came forward.
They said a few words for Ethan—soft, heartfelt words—
then quietly returned to their seats.
The air inside the funeral hall was filled with heavy silence and quiet sobs.
Outside, a black car rolled to a slow stop.
The door opened.
A tall man stepped out.
He didn't rush.
He walked with quiet confidence, like someone who had seen too much, and carried it in his eyes.
Inside, Evelyn sat beside James,
still lost in the weight of the day.
Suddenly, one of James's men came up and whispered something in his ear.
James turned to Evelyn,
His expression changed—subtle, serious.
Evelyn noticed.
She looked at him with questioning eyes,
And James leaned toward her and softly said,
"Someone's waiting for you… outside."
Evelyn slowly stood up,
adjusted her scarf, and quietly walked out of the hall.
Outside, it was quiet.
She looked around —
but saw no one.
Just the wind,
a few birds flying by,
and the sound of footsteps behind her.
When she turned back—
Her eyes widened.
A man stood there, tall — maybe around six feet.
His presence was powerful, almost impossible to ignore.
He wore a long black coat,
his hair brushed neatly,
and his eyes…
calm but sharp, like he knew things others didn't.
Evelyn stepped back.
She didn't feel scared…
but confused.
It was like she knew this face…
but her mind couldn't match a name or a memory.
The man slowly raised his hand and offered it for a handshake.
His voice was deep,
calm, and clear.
"Hello, Miss Evelyn...
I'm Mark......
.....
....
..
.