Jacob followed Will out of the funeral home and into the courtyard. Only after making sure that they
were alone, Will spoke.
"What happened? Tell me the truth." He was calm. Since he had overseen life thoroughly, he was not
emotional, even though his close friend had passed away.
He was not crying inconsolably. A sad person usually never cried, and someone who was completely
torn up would often remain calm instead of showing their emotions.
"My father's surgery was not unsuccessful. He woke up perfectly fine after the surgery, but then, he
chose euthanasia." As Jacob said those words, he felt pain and sadness gripping his heart. It almost
made him feel as though he was reliving that moment all over again.
"What?" Will shouted in surprise. He had never imagined Jacob to say such a thing.
Although he knew that Michael was an unusual man, it was odd even for Michael to have made such a
drastic decision about his life.
"How could you agree to that?" Will asked as he looked at Jacob, who seemed to be sinking in a deep
pit of sadness.
Jacob knew that that question would stay in his heart forever.
"I respect my father's choice because he had made countless choices in his life and fought hundreds of
battles, even though it was usually about work. However, my father was a very wise man and I admire
him. I think that he would make the right choice, regardless of the situation. I am proud to be his son."
Saying that, Jacob looked into the distance. After all, he was not lying. He admired Michael, regardless
of whether he was with him or not.
According to Jacob, his father was the most powerful man in the world, a true hero.
Jacob was devastated because not only had he lost his father, he had also lost the man he had looked
up to.
"I know the way you feel, Jacob. However, all things will come to an end eventually, and new things will
begin. Everything that has a beginning also has an end, that's just the way life is. Your father left this
world just in the way he wanted, so you should be happy for him."
Will's eyes were filled with tears as he also wanted to die in the way he wanted, and not helplessly or in
a weakened state.
Hence, he believed that Jacob should feel happy for his father.
"I understand, but I could not help feeling sad." As Jacob said that, he recalled his father's smile, but
now, he was lying in front of them lifelessly.
"It's okay to be sad at a time like this, because if you are not sad, then people will think that you're
heartless," Will comforted him. Fortunately for him, Jacob had got strong enough to move on with his
life.
Will did not know if the young man would have been able to shake away the sadness if he had not got
this strong.
Being young had its advantages as well as disadvantages.
As people grew older, they would learn to be more calm and quiet, even in an emotional situation.
However, Jacob seemed lost and desperate, which worried Will.
"Jacob, I don't know if I said something that I should not have." Will pursed his lips together. He had
always been a good talker, but now, he seemed to be reluctant.
"Uncle Will, I will keep your words in mind," Jacob said, trying to cheer up. Although it seemed like it
was too soon to move on, he knew that he had to.
"Don't sink into sadness. You just need to believe that everything will get better. And don't keep thinking
about the past, it cannot be changed. But most importantly, learn to accept reality, let go, and do what
makes you happy."
Will's voice was calm yet clear. He had followed those very principles all his life, so it was easy for him
to pass it on to Jacob.
However, Jacob felt bitter. Even though Will's advice sounded rather simple, he knew that it was hard
to live by.
Besides, everyone knew those principles, but only a handful were able to live by those ideals. Jacob
was worried that it might be impossible. After thinking for a few minutes, he replied in a low voice, "I
know, Uncle Will. Why don't we go inside?"
Since he was the funeral's host, he could not leave the guests unattended for too long, or people might
get displeased with him.
Will nodded in reply as he glanced at Jacob. 'Looks like he has grown up into a perfect young man, ' he
thought to himself. Jacob no longer seemed like the naughty teenage boy that Will was so familiar with.
Pain impacted everyone's life differently and each person found their own way to cope with it. Jacob
not only faced his pain, but also learned something valuable from it.
He knew that it would be hard at first, but he was determined to move forward, taking one step at a
time. And he would not give up until he reached the end of his journey, or till he got defeated miserably.
Jacob knew that he had not faced complete defeat yet.
The guests talked among themselves as Jacob walked inside. He was no longer able to see the man in
front of him clearly. But still, he walked into the funeral home.
The vivid and bright photo of his father that was placed next to his coffin was so lively that it almost felt
unreal, but inside the coffin, Michael seemed to be sleeping peacefully. It almost felt as though Michael
was just taking a nap, but his death certificate forced Jacob to see the harsh reality.
He was now an orphan without his parents to love him.
Jacob looked around the room, feeling depressed. He saw Sara standing next to Michael's coffin, along
with a few other relatives. Everyone in the room looked gloomy, as though they had lost a chest of
treasures.
Jacob tried his best to cheer himself up as he walked towards his father's body. Everyone had been
told that Michael had died because his surgery had been unsuccessful. So people thought that it was
very unfortunate, and pitied him. But if they had known the truth... The truth that Michael had chosen to
die... Jacob did not know what those people would say about him or his father.
Just the thought was enough to make Jacob feel as though he had grown older. He had lived like a
pampered child as long as his parents were with him, and now, he had to grow into an adult.
All of a sudden, Jacob spotted a familiar yet unexpected person from the corner of his eyes. His heart
sank and his gut twisted.
With a serious expression, Jonathan stormed onto the stage and snatched the microphone from the
emcee's hand. Everyone looked at him in shock, wondering what he would do.
"I came here to tell you all the truth. Mr. Michael did not die because his surgery was unsuccessful. He
chose euthanasia after having a successful surgery. As a member of this family, I have one question
that I need to ask on behalf of you all. Jacob, what made you want to kill your own father?"
Jonathan said in a firm voice. If he did not say those words, then no one could have known the truth
about Michael's death.
Jacob glared at Jonathan. He had never expected that Jonathan would stoop that low. But then, he
saw a smile appear on Jonathan's lips. He was smiling!
Before Jacob could even respond, James stepped forward and dragged Jonathan away.
Jonathan smiled and retorted, "Are you the person who was hired to hit me? I have notified the police.
If I get hurt here today, you will be charged."
James did not flinch because he did not care about facing a lawsuit. He wanted to break Jonathan's leg
to see if he would be obnoxious again.
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