, The thought that it had been over a decade since my parents' tragic car accident crossed my mind, and a sardonic smile flickered across my face. “Is this really necessary anymore?

",

"To get in touch with you if anything comes up,

" he retorted in a way that took me aback., What could possibly come up after all these years since the accident? Yet, I left my number as he requested and walked away., Clutching the death certificate, the only thing missing now was the cremation permit. That was something only Herschel could help me with, but he was currently ill, so I had no choice but to turn to Jacqueline.,

"Felicia, what brings you here?

" Jacqueline's surprise seemed to outweigh her delight upon seeing me., “Jacqueline, I need to discuss something. Can we talk inside?

" Whether it was from running around dealing with Susie Collins' affairs or because of my period, I felt utterly drained and a bit dizzy today.,

"Oh, let's sit in the gazebo instead. It's too stuffy inside,

" Jacqueline suggested as she linked her arm with mine., Without giving it much thought, I followed her. She called out to the housekeeper,

"Irma, could you bring out the fruit and the sweet soup I've been simmering?

", Irma, the housekeeper, nodded, and Jacqueline turned to me,

"Felicia, you look a bit pale. Are you feeling alright?

", “Yeah, it's just that time of the month,

" I gave my reason.,

"Stomach cramps? Some warm soup should help. I'll ask Irma to sweeten it a bit,

" Jacqueline said, rising to her feet,

"Felicia, sit tight for a moment.

" But I wasn't here for small talk. I stood up as well, “Jacqueline, there's something I need to do.

", Jacqueline paused, and I pulled out the death certificate from my bag,

"Jacqueline, I need to close out my parents' accounts, and I'm missing the cremation permit.

",

"Close out their accounts?

" A flicker of shock passed through Jacqueline's eyes, quickly replaced by a look of sympathy,

"Why close them?

", I avoided her gaze, focusing on the death certificate,

"My parents' house is being demolished. I need to have all the paperwork in order to sign off on, it.

", Jacqueline didn't respond immediately. After a moment, she hugged me,

"Maybe it's for the best.

", She comforted me for a while before letting go,

"The permit has always been in Herschel's drawer. I'll fetch it for you. Just a moment,

" Jacqueline patted my head and urged me to sit back down. , I had intended to accompany her inside and leave as soon as I got the document, but now it seemed awkward to insist., Just then, the housekeeper came, out, fruit and the now, soup, Jacqueline instructing Sweet,

"Put, some more sugar in, , The housekeeper complied and first brought over the soup, offering to get the sugar, but I stopped her,

"No need, Irma.

"

"It's necessary. The lady wouldn't be pleased otherwise. She treats you like her own daughter.

" Understanding the housekeeper's concern about displeasing Jacqueline, I didn't protest further. As I waited, the housekeeper added the sugar to the soup and stirred it well before leaving. The soup, sweetened with sugar, was comforting, a reminder of the years gone by., buet, But ever since I left the Wagner family, hadn't had it again, not because I couldn't afford it, but because I hadn't had the time., , I finished the soup, and Jacqueline still hadn't returned. Had she not found the permit?, Glancing at the time, I realized I had just over an hour before the end of the workday, and I still had to run the closure process., I couldn't wait any longer and headed towards the house, only to halt at the door upon hearing Jacqueline's voice.,

"You listen to me and stay put. If you cause any trouble, don't think I'll let it slide.

", Jacqueline's tone was harsh, a rarity for her., But who was Jacqueline threatening?, Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.