LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 58: Winter Solstice

"He went to the graveyard early this morning" . She replied, a sympathetic look in her eyes. "Today is his mother’s death anniversary."

"Oh". Yvette breathed, her heart sinking. "I need to go see him." She then turned to Mrs Lawrence. "Can you tell the driver to prepare the car?. I’ll be back in a bit after changing my clothes".

"Sure".

"Is the driver ready". Yvette asked as she paddled downstairs few minutes later, adjusting her dress.

"Yes".

"Then I’ll take my leave. See you later Mrs Lawrence". She said her goodbye and walked towards the door just then Mrs Lawrence stopped her and handed her two winter coat.

"You should wear this. It started snowing in the middle of the night and I’m not sure if Sir had a coat with him when he left".

Yvette blinked, stunned. She peered out the window, watching the soft flakes tumble from the sky, blanketing the world in white ans she couldn’t help but feel that winter arrived quite early. A smile crept across her face. "Snow already? It’s beautiful!"

"Very beautiful". Mrs Lawrence smiled. . "But it’s chilly. You’ll need this."

"Thank you". Yvette said gratefully, slipping the coat on and heading to the waiting car outside.

_________

The cold bit into Yvette’s skin as she stepped out of the car, her breath coming out in frosty clouds as she looked at the scene before her.

The graveyard stretched out in quiet, snow-covered stillness, the pale sky above tinged with the fading light of afternoon.

At first, it seemed serene, unadulterated by time, but then her eyes caught a lone figure kneeling before a gravestone, the only movement in the landscape.

And she needed no help to be able to tell who it was . It was none other than Zeke.

He knelt in the snow, his back slightly hunched as if the weight of his thoughts bore heavily on his shoulders.

In front of him, the gravestone was adorned with a collection of flowers, bright against the stark white of the snow.

And Yvette felt her heart squeezed. Even from afar he looked so weak and vulnerable. She had never seen him in such a state ever since she’s met him and it made her heart ache.

And without a word, she took the coat she had been carrying over her arm and walked up to him.

Her footsteps crunched softly in the snow, but he didn’t stir, he was seemingly too engrossed ans lost in thoughts to notice her arrival.

Gently, she knelt beside him, carefully wrapping the coat around his shoulders. He looked up, startled, his breath catching as he saw her and a smile of relief crossed his face.

"You’re here?" His voice was soft, his surprise evident. "How did you even.. ."

"Mrs Lawrence informed me. She was just arriving when she you left so she knew you were probably coming here". Yvette whispered, offering him a tender smile that stopped the storm in his heart.

Yvette on her other hand, she held a small bouquet of white lilies, their petals pale and delicate, like fresh snow. She placed them gently on the gravestone, the soft thud of the stems hitting the cold stone the only sound that broke the silence.

Zeke stared at her for a long moment, the surprise in his eyes giving way to something softer, something deeper.

"I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. It’s the only peaceful one you’ve had in days. " . Zeke said quietly, as though the snow around them could hear.

She reached out and touched his arm, her fingers warm despite the cold. "You didn’t have to."

For a while, neither of them said anything. The world around them was still, the silence vast. Then, Yvette’s voice came, barely above a whisper .

"Mother, this is Yvette". SHe said softly, her voice trembling slightly as she knelt closer to the gravestone. "Mother, I am your daughter-in-law Yvette. And i promise to take care of your son... you don’t have to worry anymore."

Zeke on the other hand blinked, watching her in adoration as she introduced herself slowly.

The wind caught a strand of her hair, lifting it like a delicate thread in the cold air.

He stared at her, the realization finally dawning in his eyes. His chest tightened and before he could think, he pulled her straight into a tight embrace.

"Yvette . . ." He whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "Thank you."

She hugged him back, feeling his heartbeat against her chest, the sound of his breath shaky as he tried to hold back tears and she couldn’t help the tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks as she patted his back encouragingly.

For a moment, the graveyard was a small world of their own, one filled with love, grief, and the silent promise of care.

After a moment, Zeke turned toward the grave, his hand reaching out to trace the name etched into the stone.

"Mother... this is Yvette ". He said softly in the same tone and manner as Yvette, as if introducing her to someone alive. "She’s the one you would have loved so much just like I do."

After introducing her , they sat there together for a while, sharing the quiet. Even the cold no longer seemed to bite so sharply.

Eventually, they both rose, their knees stiff from the cold.

"We should go now" . Yvette said gently, pulling her coat tighter around herself.

Zeke nodded, though his gaze lingered on the gravestone for a moment longer. "Thank you... for coming." He didn’t need to say more; his eyes told her everything.

They duo walked back to the car, their hands intertwined, and the journey home was quiet but filled with a sense of peace.

By the time they reached their house, the late afternoon sun had dipped behind the horizon, casting the sky in hues of deep blue and violet. Lights shone from the windows, warm and inviting.

When they stepped inside, they were greeted by the cheerful murmur of voices and they glanced at each other with a knowing smile. . Their friends had already gathered, waiting for them to return and celebrate together.

"There they are!" . Olivia called from the living room, the sound of chairs shifting as Knox, Eric, Odiette, Leila and even Jocelyn rose to greet them. "We were wondering when you’d get back!"

Yvette smiled as they entered, the warmth of the house a sharp contrast to the cold outside.

"We decided to surprise you". Odiette said with a grin. "Winter Solstice together. It’s been too long since we’ve all done this."

Yvette smiled as she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as their group of friends led them into the dining area.

Mrs Lawrence had already begun preparing the table, the rich smell of winter dishes filling the air.

As they all sat down, laughter and conversation filled the room, the quietness of the graveyard now replaced by the warmth of shared company.

"Oh Knox". Yvette called him as he was about to step out of the house. Now it was already late into the night and everyone was already leaving. Eric left in his own car, Odiette’s and Jocelyn’s destination was almost the same so they shared Jocelyn’s car now Olivia was left all alone but fortunately Knox was here and she was hoping if he could her over.

"Do you mind helping Olivia over?". Yvette àsked with a smile and Knox replied almost immediately.

"I was also thinking the same. It would be hard to get a cab right now especially in an estate like this".

"Thank you then". Yvette smiled and turned to Olivia who was just bouncing over after seeing the others out.

"Knox, can you please give me a lift?".

"Sure". Knox smiled and the duo bid their goodbyes before leaving the couple alone to themselves in the house filled with warmth.

_________

The moon hung high in the night sky as Knox drove through the quiet estates and streets, the soft hum of the car engine the only sound between him and Olivia who was sitting in the passenger seat.

As they pulled away from the streets, Knox glanced over at her. She sat silently, her hands clasped tightly in her lap with her eyes closed gently.

Finally, after a while she spoke, her voice quiet but firm.

"Don’t turn at the usual street. I need to go somewhere else". She said, her gaze fixed on the dark road ahead. "I’ll be going to Daniel’s house today. He’s kinda sick and I want to stay over so I could take care of him."

Knox raised his eyebrows and nodded without questioning. "Alright. Just tell me where to go."

Olivia gave him the directions and after a few more turns, they stopped in front of a modest house, its windows glowing dimly against the night.

"Thanks for the ride". She said, flashing him a small, tight-lipped smile. "I’ll see you later."

She stepped out of the car, her coat left forgotten on the seat. Knox stayed and watched as she walked up the stairs toward the house. He was about to drive off when he noticed the coat and frowned.

"She might need this". He muttered to himself as he looked at the house before him.