The trio of besties returned to Kuala Lumpur after a good catch-up with Ellie’s father, staying overnight and rushing to Isla’s beach house to pack up their belongings. None of them spoke much during the flight as everyone was too tired from the lack of sleep the night before. As they landed, Ellie and Jazzlyn were greeted with urgent incoming messages.

  It was rare for Oliver to text Jazzlyn, especially when it was a crucial moment for him to be still acting, amid the unfolding drama between their families over power. She knew Olivia and baby Vincent were doing fine under her in-laws’ care, with regular updates from Su Huang. So, she finds it strange that even Ethan’s text message was in capital letters. She felt something was amiss as she read the messages.

  Oliver: Sis, do you know Luna Sim or her husband, Graeme Ajiban?

  Jazzlyn was stunned by how detailed Oliver knew about her friend. She quickly swiped to Ethan’s message.

  Ethan: LUNA’S HUSBAND COMMITTED SUICIDE. Once you have landed, you might want to head to Su’s hospital with the girls. I will be at the arrival gate.

  Jazzlyn gasped while Ellie was equally stunned by the updates received from Julian.

  Julian: Luna needs your help. Her husband committed suicide and is in Jazzlyn’s family hospital

  Isla was the only one who didn’t receive any updates as she glanced at both dumbfounded girls.

  “Why? What’s wrong? You left something back there?” Isla questioned them as Jazzlyn and Ellie shook their heads.

  “Then what?” Isla frowned in annoyance.

  “Luna…” Ellie was blinking back her tears as she showed Isla the text message from Julian.

  Isla was caught off guard as she sighed and tried comforting Ellie by gently patting her shoulder.

  “We should visit her… Julian wouldn’t know what to do…” Isla said briefly as they disembarked the plane.

  Jazzlyn quickly replied to Oliver while passing the immigration to inform him that the three of them were heading over to the hospital.

  As the trio caught up again after collecting their luggage, they quickly made their way to the arrival gate.

  “Ethan is waiting for us.” Jazzlyn updated as the duo nodded.

  At the sight of her beloved husband, Jazzlyn didn’t hesitate to hug him gratefully. Jazzlyn was trying not to cry, but she couldn’t control her tears. Ethan nodded in acknowledgement to Ellie and Isla as Isla comforted Ellie, who was teary-eyed by her side.

  Isla knew this feeling very well. It brought back deja vu when Lex abruptly left. She knew it would be tough for Luna to make it through if she didn’t let the girls help her out this time as they made their way to Su’s hospital, where Oliver stood by the entrance of the basement floor leading to the mortuary. He had made arrangements to keep their meeting discreet since the mortuary wouldn’t attract attention easily.

  “Sis…” Oliver called out solemnly. As much as the siblings wanted to hug each other, they knew they might be monitored, and Oliver was still putting on an act.

  Jazzlyn only nodded in acknowledgement as he led everyone to Julian, who was standing by Luna in front of the mortuary door.

  Julian, looking all haggard, sighed in relief at the sight of the trio.

  “Good that you’re all here,” Julian said to everyone, but his eyes were directed at Ellie, who gave him a sad smile.

  “What’s the situation now?” Isla asked in a demanding voice. She knew she had to get things moving as her two besties were overwhelmed by their emotions.

  “The coroner had concluded the case as suicide due to the witnesses' statements. The body had just arrived, not too long ago. She needs to identify the body, but…” Julian swallowed a lump in his throat as he paused.

  “How’s the state of the body?” Isla bravely asked as Julian looked away and shook his head.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  Jazzlyn drew a deep breath as her gaze met with Ellie, who was already teary. They both nodded to each other and went up to Luna.

  Ethan turned to Oliver instead. “You should go. You’re supposed to be acting not on good terms.” Ethan reminded him as Oliver nodded reluctantly.

  “Don’t worry. Your sister will be fine.” Isla assured Oliver.

  “I will keep you updated,” Ethan said as Oliver nodded.

  “Thank you,” Isla said out of courtesy to Oliver before he left. Her attention was drawn back to the girls trying to coax Luna, but she was lifeless and speechless.

  “Her in-laws are making their way here…” Julian updated. “And her parents?” Isla questioned while pulling her gaze away from the trio.

  Julian shook his head. “We tried reaching out to them, but still uncontactable. I’m sorry, I had no clue who to find, so I had to reach out to all of you. So happened, I recalled from the news that this was the Su’s family hospital, that I reached out to the nurse for help, who then directed me to Jazzlyn’s brother.” Julian apologised as Isla nodded, understanding his predicament.

  “Don’t be sorry. Thanks for staying by her side. This is Ethan, Jazzlyn’s husband.” Isla said as Julian exchanged an acknowledgement.

  “Julian, our primary school friend whom we met at the reunion.” Isla updated Ethan.

  “Nice to meet you…” Ethan introduced awkwardly.

  “Hope to catch you in a different situation next time.” Julian smiled politely as Ethan nodded in agreement.

  On normal days, Isla knew this arrogant queen would never let anyone see her this way as she sneaked to take a picture of the trio. She hasn’t decided what she would do with it, but she knew she just had to take one first.

  “Luna, have you eaten?” Ellie asked gently but couldn’t control her tears, looking at Luna, who was not responsive. Jazzlyn sighed.

  “Luna, can you hear me?” Jazzlyn asked in a little frustrated tone as she shook Luna, whose gaze finally met hers.

  “You need to take care of yourself, too, Luna.” Jazzlyn insisted, but Luna looked away aimlessly.

  “Luna!!” Ellie called out in frustration as her gaze met hers.

  “You need to be strong. He needs you now…” Ellie continued in tears as Luna’s eyes began to fill with tears.

  It was a heartbreaking scene that reminded Isla of the same scene the girls did for her. This time, she didn’t want them to go through it again. Hence, she walked over and lifted Luna from the seat.

  “We need to get things moving on, right?” Isla asked her without waiting for an answer.

  “Have you contacted his family members?” Isla asked sternly, but she knew she wouldn’t get an answer. She just wanted to give her an update indirectly.

  “If you cannot bring yourself to identify him… Then don’t force yourself. Let his family members do it.” Isla calmly explained.

  Jazzlyn realised Isla’s method of counter-persuading Luna worked. To their surprise, Luna, who was finally in tears, slowly made her way to the mortuary door. Ellie and Jazzlyn quickly guided her as Isla stood by the door with Julian and Ethan watching the identification in progress.

  Luna wailed and apologised profusely to him when she saw the aftermath of her dead husband’s body. Jazzlyn and Ellie had to drag her out with Julian’s help as she broke down till she fainted.

  While Luna was still unconscious, Graeme’s family members arrived, but no one else came from Luna’s side. Her parents were, as usual, busy with their own businesses. Graeme’s family was concerned about Luna, too, but unfortunately, they had to attend to the funeral matters and left Luna in the hands of the trio.

  The police had passed to Isla a letter left for Luna found on their living room’s table with a few insurance policies and his will. He had jumped down from their condominium's eighth floor, and as the girls read the note, it was going to be arduous for Luna to accept all this.

  The letter read:

  Luna,

  I know I haven't been the best husband. I know you were always upset with me for being incapable of earning more money. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you anything more than what I have built.

  I didn’t want us to divorce cause I still love you. If all it takes to make you happy is for me to give you all of me, then I will gladly make this sacrifice for you. I cannot live without you when all my life was building everything for you, my love.

  I hope you will live a happy life. Always surrounded by love.

  I will always love you.

  Graeme

  They decided to keep it for her till after the funeral instead, where she was often zoned out, and though her parents came to pay their last respect, they didn’t stay long enough to look after Luna. They left almost immediately as soon as they arrived. Instead of comforting her, her father had been scolding her for bringing disgrace, while her mother didn’t even want to speak to her.

  Isla finds herself once again, as though transported back to the days Lex left. She could understand, for once, how it is for Luna and wondered if Luna would be able to sustain all this. It wasn’t easy for Isla to do it if it weren’t for Elly and Jazzlyn back then.

  Isla knew she had to let go of the past grudge since she had finally understood how the lack of love her family showed her resulted in her actions back then to be a bully. Isla knew she couldn’t go on forever staying away from Luna if all Luna did was try to seek help for her situation. With that, Isla decided to let Luna stay at her house for a few days while Ellie came to check on them daily with Julian, as Jazzlyn had to return to Ipoh for her new job onboarding with Ethan.