Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

In the dead of night, Ellie sat on a stool, leaning against Harold's bedside. She cradled the new leather jacket she had bought for her dad.

She put the jacket on him, but Harold insisted on saving it for the Christmas. She had promised that once she and Aaron earned enough to buy a house, they would bring their parents to live in the city. She also had said she would buy a wheelchair so Harold and Joanna could spend evenings at the square watching people dance or go to the park to play chess.

She had kept nagging that when she and Aaron weren't home, Harold would have to take care of himself, as they didn't want Joanna to worry.

Harold had said he would help take care of the grandchildren and that he needed to witness her and Aaron getting married and starting their own family.

Just two days had passed. And Harold was gone.

"Dad, you promised me!" Ellie clutched her dad's jacket, her sobs breaking like fragile glass.

Burying her face in the leather, her voice muffled and heavy, she cried. "Dad, weren't you always the one who listened to Aaron? He told you he got a raise, and with next month's paycheck, he can buy you a car.

"Aaron and I will be able to take care of you; why couldn't you just hold on a little longer? Now that you're gone, what is mom supposed to do? How lonely must she feel without anyone to talk to!"

Outside, Alex stood rigidly, soaked to the skin from the rain. His pale face and red eyes painfully fixed on Ellie in the room; his chest felt like it was gripped tightly by an unseen hand, making it nearly impossible to breathe. "Stop staring." Layton came over and forcibly pulled Alex out of the yard.

Ellie deliberately avoided Alex, waiting for Harold's funeral to finish. Layton feared that Alex might lose control and go to see Ellie, disrupting the funeral.

Beside the pigpen, Layton handed Alex a cigarette and a lighter. "After you left, Haley walked into the Thompson residence. You know it but haven't acted, which isn't like you," Layton remarked.

It wasn't hard to guess what Haley had told Ellie's parents. That night, Harold braved the storm to go to the station-his intentions were clear. Though Harold's death was not directly caused by Alex, it was undeniably the result of his actions. Putting aside Alex's past interactions with Ellie, this alone was reason enough for Ellie to never forgive him.

Layton asked, "If Ellie refuses to forgive you for the rest of her life, how do you plan to make it right?"

Alex stood atop the pigpen wall, eyes only for the few piglets below, smoking continuously. His complexion was pale, his red eyes showing either rainwater or tears, yet he remained silent.

The following day before dawn, people were busily preparing for Harold's burial. Though the rain was light, the overcast sky hinted at another storm ahead.

Those staying with the Thompson family were mostly close relatives, joined by some dear colleagues and friends. That night, everyone hardly slept

a wink.

They quickly ate a small meal; Ellie, unable to eat, was encouraged by the elders to sip some soup. At first light, the funeral procession left the Thompson residence.

Alex was caught by Layton, lingering at the back of the crowd. The officiant instructed Aaron to place the urn at the gravesite and scatter petals, symbolizing farewell and remembrance for Harold.

Aaron watched as his only sister clutched their dad's urn, tears shimmering in his eyes as he said, "Ellie, Dad is watching over us from above." Tears streamed down fier face as she cried, "Aaron, can we not bury him?"

"Be reasonable, hand it to me," Aaron coaxed patiently, but Ellie would not let go.

"Aaron, we cannot delay any longer," the officiant insisted, calling over two relatives who forcibly pried the urn from Ellie's grip. Before she could react, a loud crash echoed as the urn hit the ground.

"Dad!" Ellie screamed, collapsing to the earth, finally breaking apart.

Ellie was held back by family and friends, helplessly watching as Harold's ashes were taken away, her heart-wrenching sobs filling the air.noveldrama

From a distance. Alex watched Ellie, his heart aching until it felt like it might burst. He was overwhelmed with emotion, desperately trying to hold it together as tears mixed with raindrops, streaming down his cheeks, his feet unconsciously pulling him closer to Ellie. "Alex." Layton stopped him.

Harold was buried in the cemetery, near several graves of the Thompson family's ancestors. After the burial, the officiant led everyone back for a meal, but Aaron insisted on staying behind.

Other Thompson family members left. At Harold's gravesite were only Aaron, Ellie, Alex, and his parents, along with Lacey, Layton, and Diana. The rain kept falling, showing no signs of stopping.

The sky, heavy and dark, rumbled ominously as silence settled over Harold's resting place. Diana and Lacey held an umbrella, while the others stood exposed in the rain. Alex, with red-rimmed eyes, knelt at Harold's grave once again. He cautiously said, "Ellie, I need to talk to you in front of Mr. Thompson."

Ellie stood beside Aaron, finally turning her gaze towards Alex. Their eyes met in a shared moment of pain. Ellie managed to croak, "Speak." She could handle any words now, as nothing could be more brutal than the reality of Harold's death. After a long internal struggle, Alex finally spoke, "Ellie, the one who saved me was you, not Haley. The day Mr. Thompson died, Haley followed me to the Thompson residence. I am responsible for Mr. Thompson's death."

Alex pleaded, "I don't seek your forgiveness; I just want a chance to make things right." Only the sound of rain could be heard. Aaron held Ellie, gently soothing her trembling form.

Aaron looked at Alex kneeling before Harold's grave, anguish clear in his voice. "Who gave my dad a chance?"

Alex met Aaron's gaze, his lips quivering, words unspoken. Ellie, tired and leaning against Aaron, stared blankly at Alex, asking, "Am I unable to have children now?"

Looking into Alex's tormented eyes, Ellie pressed on, "How do you plan to make up for it?"

She struggled closer to Alex. "My dad relied on crutches for over twenty years, barely surviving on many medications. He suffered continuous torment from numerous ailments. How will you make up for that?"

Alex stayed silent, his eyes reddened, unable to reply. Ellie knelt, losing herself as she gripped his collar, weeping uncontrollably. "My dad watched my mother work alone, yet he could do nothing.

"For over twenty years, he was haunted by guilt, called a cripple, and now, what will you offer in compensation?"

Like a storm, Ellie pounded her fists against Alex. "My dad and I were separated for over a decade; he promised to live well. He finally found hope, yet when he died, he left not a single word. What will you offer in compensation?"

Alex let Ellie unleash her fury, trembling beneath her grasp, as she bit down on his wrist fiercely. As the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, Ellie clung tighter, refusing to let go.

Alex did not flinch; gritting his teeth, he allowed Ellie to hold him firm. No one moved; Nancy turned, tears streaking her face as she could take no

more.

Lacey and Diana watched Ellie with tearful concern. Aaron stood still, giving Ellie the room to express her feelings.

Alex's wrist loosened. The next moment, Ellie collapsed into his embrace without warning. Alex held the unconscious Ellie tightly in his arms, still kneeling. "Let go." Aaron rushed to take Ellie from him.

Seeing Aaron being rough, Layton hurried over. "Alex, you must let her go."

Alex buried his head into Ellie's neck, holding her tightly, refusing to speak or release her. Todd approached, urging, "Alex, let go."

"I will not release her." Alex growled, leaning down to hold Ellie even tighter. "Dad, I cannot let go."

Diana threw the umbrella aside and grabbed Alex by the arm. "Ellie is in this state because of you; how can you not let her go?"

"You have no right to touch her; let go!" Aaron forcibly tried to pry Alex's arms away.

The rain poured harder over Harold's grave. Despite his parents' scolding, despite Aaron's fists pounding against him, and despite Layton's pleas, Alex remained kneeling at Harold's graveside, holding Ellie tightly in his arms.