Michael's mother placed a hand on his shoulder. “Isabella was truly special to you. I can only imagine how much her passing has impacted you. She always radiated such vibrancy and energy. It's still difficult to comprehend that she was battling illness for so long."

Michael averted his gaze. "I understand what you are saying, mother. It's still hard for me to believe it too.”

Joan gently placed her hand on her son's shoulder. "Take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain. She will always be by your side, keeping a watchful eye on you."

Michael nodded. "I will meet you back at the house." Giving his mother a little peck on the cheek, Michael began to make his way towards Isabella's resting place. 

“Don’t stay here for too long,” Joan gently advised. "The cold will set in before you know it." She could not help but fret as she watched her son walk away.

“Michael!” As soon as his name reached his ears, Michael halted in his tracks and pivoted to face the source. His gaze fell upon Amanda, who was making her way towards him. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as the mere presence of the woman only added to his existing stress.

"Hello, Miss Amanda," he greeted her. 

Prior to this moment, Michael had not uttered a single word to Amanda. It was clear that he had noticed her presence the moment he arrived at the gravesite, but he could not bring himself to greet the woman. The reason for this was not because she was currently grieving as a mother, but rather because Michael held onto lingering resentment towards her, which he had not realised until he saw Amanda. The sound of Isabella’s voice still echoed in Michael’s mind - filled with sorrow and misery - as she talked about her mother's abandonment. The thought of this still irked Michael to the core, and he was unable to push past his emotions to engage with her.

“I won’t take up too much of your time,” Amanda spoke gently, as if she could sense Michael's growing dislike towards her.

“What can I do for you?” His words rang out in a distant and unfeeling tone.

“The hospital informed me that you were with Isabella. I am grateful for that. It brings me joy to know that she wasn't alone in the final moments of life. Thank you!"

Michael's gaze towards the woman was sharp and piercing, reflecting the bitterness he felt towards Isabella's mother. He despised the fact that he could not find it in himself to be cordial towards her.

It was a tragedy that Amanda chose to run away instead of spending precious time with Isabella, before she passed away. The amount of time Amanda could have had with her daughter was immeasurable and would have been invaluable in creating lasting memories. One could only imagine the pain and regret Michael must feel, as he would have given anything to switch places with Amanda and have the opportunity to cherish every moment with Isabella, no matter how heartbreaking and difficult it might have been.

“It might be difficult for you to comprehend just how much Bella meant to me. It's incredibly devastating that I only got to spend a few hours with her.” Michael was on the verge of losing it. "So, Miss Amanda, please refrain from thanking me. I would have gladly traded all the time you wasted for the chance to spend even just a little more time with her." Without sparing a glance at Amanda, the young man turned and walked away.

Possibly, it might not happen now. Potentially, it might not even occur tomorrow. However, Michael was confident that eventually Amanda would come to regret her choices.

Michael stood at the graveside, the cool breeze blowing through his dark hair. Michael reached into his pocket and carefully pulled out an envelope. It was a letter that Isabella had left for him. Michael had been too overwhelmed with grief to read it before, but now, as he stood at her final resting place, he knew it was time. As Michael unfolded the letter with trembling hands, Isabella's elegant handwriting adorned the page, and Michael could almost hear her voice as he read her words.

Throughout the years, you have been my unwavering source of support. Your embrace has calmed my heart and mended my wounds and scars. In your presence, I forgot all about my limited time on this Earth; you made me feel complete, alive, and loved. Even though I will have left by the time you wake up, I find solace in knowing that I will see you again in another lifetime. My only wish was to be by your side until my last breath, and I am grateful that you desired the same. 

I am aware that you will experience pain, and my deepest hope is that the love I have for you will give you the strength to carry on during the days when you feel alone. A part of my heart will always reside within yours.

With eternal love, your Isabella.

Michael was caught off guard when he noticed a damp sensation on his face. It took him a moment to realise that it was tears streaming down his cheeks. Right there, next to Isabella's grave, Michael was reduced to a sobbing mess. He fell to his knees, the weight of his emotions overwhelming him. The tears kept flowing, unstoppable and uncontrollable. Each drop that fell onto the graveside was a release of all the pent-up emotions that he had kept locked inside Isabella’s death.

Michael had a strong belief that the display of love could be perceived through one's eyes and felt through their touch. In the case of Isabella, he saw love in her eyes and experienced it in the warmth of her touch. Until it struck him like a heavy load, Michael had never truly understood the depths of despair. However, he discovered ways of preserving those cherished emotions, words, and moments, so that they remained etched in his mind forever. He wanted to be able to look back and always remember the way she loved him with such tenderness and devotion.