#((knowing he'll far outlive them and never reunite with them in death; it would be the one snag for him))

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

At least they kept her in the will, Randall thought somewhat bitterly to himself-for all that was raw between the two generations, he supposed it was still good that they still kept her in the proverbial loop, allowing her to use her inheritance to take care of herself, to live a comfortable life, at the very least. He was just sorry that that freedom had to come with such heartbreak.

And what was even worse to him was it seemed as if there was no one she could turn to in her time of need: No other family members, no close friends, no one she could lean on-she had to face all of that alone? He felt his heart break at that notion, and he found himself wishing he could've met her sooner, so that perhaps he could've eased her loneliness, her heartache.

"I...I'm so sorry, Emily," he said, after for a long moment struggling to get the words out, as he squeezed the paintbrush in his hand, before setting it down (out of a fear he may squeeze it too hard and snap it in half). He looked up at her, olive-green eyes gentle, and he wanted dearly to hug her close, to take her into his arms and chase away these painful memories, but he showed hesitance, unsure if it was too forward of him...