510 The Gathering (2)

Gael felt like he was floating during the whole ceremony and service—as if he was just doing it on auto-pilot and observing. He was devastated about Uncle Pietro's death but he also felt detached from the whole ordeal. His chest was numb and he couldn't let it out.

His father and Giovanni were mourning for their brother's death that Gael had to step up and do things that the two were supposed to do. He didn't mind this at all and it kept him on his feet instead of letting grief consume him.

Angela had been so good to him the whole day. But she constantly looked up at him with a worried look as if she was waiting for him to break down and he hadn't. He hadn't even cried since that tragic night. It was like death had become an unwanted norm and he was just going through the motions. He had to smile at her from time to time just to make the crease she had between her brows disappear.