Chapter 39 Stealing the Ashes

The memorial hall with Sarah's portrait was set up in the backyard of the funeral home. Since Emery wasn't a member of the Carter family, she could only pay her respects outside in a makeshift space. According to tradition, the deceased was supposed to remain unburied for three days, but Logan, wanting to make the funeral grand, had delayed the burial to accommodate the arrangements. Unlike the bustling front hall, the air here was thick with the scent of burning incense. The cold wind rustled the dry tree branches above, contributing to the eerie, desolate atmosphere. Only a few people passed by. Emery had snuck in. With the crowd distracted up front, she slipped through the back door, took a quick turn, and found the memorial hall wide open. Despite the incense smoke drifting out, no one seemed to mind that the black-and-white portrait was exposed to the sunlight. Emery's eyes welled up. It made sense, though. To those in the front hall, Sarah was nothing special. If not