Chapter 4 Part 3

"Gretta has passed away." Those soft words made Olivia raise her head.

Gretta. She knew that name. Gretta was the wife of Geremia's cousin, Ignazio, Rianna's husband, and Olivia's foster sister.

Instantly, everyone offered their condolences.

"How is Zio?" Rianna asked, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"He must be devastated. There's nothing in this world he loves more than Gretta," Geremia replied softly.

Everyone knew Geremia as a cold and expressionless person, but this time, Olivia could see the sadness in his eyes and the tears he tried to hide.

Geremia and Ignazio grew up together, their bond of brotherhood much stronger than mere cousins. They were best friends who had experienced joys and sorrows together. So it was understandable that Geremia felt deep sadness for Ignazio, his friend and cousin.

"I will go to the hospital and check on him. You both go straight to Uncle Antony's house," he said, receiving nods from Rianna and Olivia. After kissing his wife's forehead, Geremia left.

"Poor Gianna," Olivia said softly. "She can't even feel her mother's milk," she continued, earning a melancholic glance from Rianna.

Gianna. Gianna Quirino. That was the name given to the little baby that, as far as Olivia knew, had not been touched by her father until after the cesarean section. And the name was given by Gretta in the last moments of her life when she could still open her eyes and speak.

The innocent little baby had now become an orphan. She wouldn't grow up with a mother's love. For others, it might feel ordinary, but for Olivia and Rianna, who grew up in an orphanage without parental love, the feeling of loneliness and lack of affection would undoubtedly be experienced by Gianna in the future.

Meskipun Gianna bisa dianggap lebih beruntung daripada Olivia dan saudara-saudara panti asuhannya - karena dia masih memiliki ayah dan keluarga besar yang pasti akan membuatnya tumbuh dalam cinta dan kecukupan finansial - itu tidak akan menutup kemungkinan rasa kesepian yang akan dirasakannya nanti.

Namun, dugaan Olivia bahwa Gianna lebih beruntung akhirnya terpatahkan oleh tragedi yang terjadi di kediaman Antony-Claire pada siang itu.

Semua anggota keluarga Quirino berkumpul dan mempersiapkan tempat pemakaman terakhir untuk mendiang Gretta, sambil menunggu mobil jenazah datang membawa jenazahnya. Halaman belakang disiapkan untuk tempat berkabung sebelum jenazah disemayamkan di ruang tamu dan ruang keluarga disiapkan untuk menyambut para tamu yang akan datang melayat.

Olivia sendiri sibuk membantu asisten rumah tangga menyiapkan segala sesuatu, karena tamu yang datang rupanya melebihi ekspektasi pemilik rumah itu sendiri.

Entah bagaimana dan dari mana orang-orang itu tahu tentang kabar Gretta, tapi mereka datang dan memenuhi rumah Antony-Claire hanya untuk memberikan penghormatan terakhir pada menantu miliarder Italia itu.

Di dalam hati, Olivia merasa iri pada Gretta. Apa kebaikan yang wanita itu lakukan semasa hidupnya sehingga begitu banyak orang yang menghormatinya? Bahkan pada akhir hidupnya, masih banyak orang yang peduli padanya.

Kelak, saat Olivia meninggal, ia tidak yakin apakah akan dilayat oleh banyak orang seperti yang terjadi pada Gretta.

Nevertheless, Olivia sensed Ignazio's peculiarity at that moment. The man was there, sitting not far from his wife's body lying in the casket. He received condolences from the guests who expressed their sympathy without any expression on his face.

Yes, Olivia even noticed there were no tears shed on the man's face. Unlike what typically happens to families left behind. Ignazio was sad, of course. Olivia knew there wouldn't be anyone sadder than Ignazio among all the people there. But it was his sorrow that made everything feel strange.

Ignazio's body was there, but not his soul. He still responded to people talking to him, but his expression was flat, emotionless. Gretta seemed to have taken not only Ignazio's love but also his remaining life with her.

When people whispered that Ignazio was emotionally numb, Olivia was sure that wasn't the case. Among the people gathered there-where Olivia thought they were Gretta's family and friends, crying hysterically-Ignazio was the one who clearly appeared to be suffering the most.

People say, when someone's heartache is immense, often they forget how to cry. And that was Ignazio that Olivia saw.

In the evening, cars were lined up in front of the Antony-Claire family's house. The hearse had already placed Gretta's coffin inside. One by one, people got into the cars without command, and Olivia joined the funeral procession in Geremia's car, driven by the man himself.

There was no conversation during the journey. The raindrops on the window seemed to indicate that the sky mourned Gretta's departure too. They arrived at the cemetery and, without command, walked towards the grave that had been prepared by the diggers.

Olivia stood between her two step-sisters-Rianna and Ivana-holding Hanna's hand-Ivana's daughter and her late husband's. For some reason, her eyes always lifted and landed on Ignazio, who stood right across from her. The man was physically close, yet Olivia felt he was very far away. His head was slightly bowed, and Olivia couldn't guess where his eyes were directed because they were covered by dark sunglasses. One thing was clear: once again, the man didn't seem to cry. He never lifted his hand to wipe his face.

Ignazio just stood there silently as the coffin was lowered into the wet ground. Afterward, the earth started to be scattered, and when people began to throw flowers, Ignazio still stood in his place.

Slowly, everyone dispersed. Olivia thought Ignazio would spend more time at Gretta's final resting place. Perhaps saying goodbye. Or maybe crying out in anguish over his beloved wife's departure now that no one was around.

But no, once again, he did the unexpected. He walked away from the grave before the other mourners, who only stared at him with questioning eyes.

Once again, they returned to the Antony-Claire residence without many words. The large house was now empty. The mourners who had filled the rooms seemed to have vanished completely. Only the Quirino family remained, trying to appear normal amidst the grief that gripped their hearts. Amidst the silent sorrow, the echoes of cries resounded.

Olivia frowned, looking at Rianna with questioning eyes.

"Is that Gianna's baby?" Rianna asked the homeowner who was rising from her seat.

Mrs. Claire nodded. Rianna and Olivia followed Mrs. Claire as she walked towards one of the rooms on the first floor. Without knocking, Mrs. Claire opened the door, and they saw a nurse, whom Olivia guessed to be in her forties, rocking a baby wrapped in a pink blanket, attempting to put a pacifier into her mouth.

"What's wrong with Gianna, Nurse?" Mrs. Claire asked, approaching her granddaughter and observing Gianna, who continuously rejected the pacifier offered by the nurse.

"I don't know, ma'am. She's not running a fever, her diaper is clean. I thought she might be hungry, but she doesn't want to drink milk either," the nurse said, looking somewhat nervous in front of Mrs. Claire.

Mrs. Claire carefully took the little baby from the nurse's arms. Gianna's small face was already red from crying, while her hands seemed to push away the pacifier that her grandmother was trying to offer again.

"Darling, what's wrong?" Mrs. Claire asked, her voice choked, which somehow made Olivia's eyes well up with tears.

"Don't cry, sweetie. Mommy might have gone, but here, there's still Grandma, Grandpa, and Daddy." The woman coaxed the baby gently. The baby seemed to listen to Mrs. Claire's words, but only briefly. Because then, the baby started crying again.

Hasty footsteps made them turn towards the door. "Grandma..." Xaverio, Mrs. Claire's grandson, appeared with a shocked expression and gasping breaths.

"What happened?"

"Uncle, Grandma." The young man pointed to the second floor. "Uncle Geremia and Uncle Ignazio are arguing. Uncle Ignazio has packed and said he's leaving," the young man said quickly.

Mrs. Claire, Rianna, and Olivia all frowned in confusion.

"Leaving? Where?" Mrs. Claire asked in a panic. But Xaverio just shook his head.

Slowly and cautiously, Mrs. Claire handed Gianna back to her nurse and with quick steps-as fast as her old legs could carry her-she left the room, trying to catch up with her son, whom Olivia saw from the doorway carrying a large backpack, complete with hiking boots and a jacket.

"Zio!" Mrs. Claire shouted, approaching Ignazio and grabbing his arm to stop him. "Where are you going?!" she yelled again when her son ignored her.

Olivia wanted to leave the room, but upon hearing Gianna's cries, she changed her mind.

Was this the reason the little baby was crying? Because she knew her father was also leaving her?

Olivia approached the caregiver without taking her eyes off Gianna. "May I hold her, Nurse?" she asked softly.

The nurse just stared at Olivia, as if hesitant and afraid to entrust the precious baby in her hands to a young girl like Olivia. However, after considering it, the woman then handed Gianna over to Olivia's embrace.

Olivia smiled, trying to position Gianna's small body comfortably in her arms. "Don't cry, sweetheart," she whispered, coaxing in a soft and gentle tone. "Don't cry." She continued, gently stroking the baby's back and tenderly cupping her tiny cheek with her hand. "You know, God will not test someone beyond their abilities. He knows you're a strong child, and I know you're destined for greatness." She said, unconsciously shedding tears as she kissed Gianna's tiny forehead. "So don't cry, okay?" She pleaded softly. And somehow, the baby became calm in an instant.