Anabelle burst into the room, a bucket of ice-cold water clutched tightly in her hands. Without a moment's hesitation, she upended the bucket, splashing the freezing liquid onto Juliette's sprawled body on the bed. 
Juliette snapped out of her dream world and back into reality, her heart pounding with shock, fear, and discomfort caused by the chilling water.
"What the hell?!" she screeched, glaring at Anabelle.
Anabelle's face contorted into a furious mask as she hollered back, her voice cracking with fury, 
"What are you doing with my man? Why are you sleeping with him?!"
"Ryan isn't yours anymore," Juliette fired back. Her eyes narrowed as she continued, 
"Can't you see that I'm pregnant with his child?"
"All I see is a pregnant woman lying naked in bed with her baby daddy's younger brother!" Anabelle shrieked, her words laced with bitterness.
Juliette's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced around, her realization dawning upon her. She was indeed naked, lying next to Linc, who too lay bare and asleep beside her.
"What...what happened?" Juliette stammered.
In her confusion and anger, she resorted to kicking Linc repeatedly until he groggily stirred, his sleepy eyes fluttering open. Linc yawned and rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of the situation unfolding before him.
"Oh, baby girl, you're awake," he slurred sleepily. 
"How are you feeling after our night of fun?"
"Linc!" Anabelle's voice erupted, filled with exasperation and frustration.
"Baby, where were you all night? I was so horny, I couldn't resist settling for Juliette," Linc whined childishly to Anabelle, oblivious to her seething anger.
"Get out of my room!" Ryan's stern voice sliced through the tumultuous atmosphere.
Juliette's gaze darted around the room, her heart sinking as she finally took in her surroundings. The realization hit her like a tidal wave. She was in Ryan's room. 
"Ryan, let me explain. Linc took advantage of me while I was drunk last night," Juliette said.
"Took advantage of you? You kissed me back, praised my thrusts, and performed oral sex on me," Linc replied, defending himself.
"He intentionally got me drunk," Juliette argued back.
"If you're so sure, let's check the CCTV footage then," Linc defended himself.
"Before that, I think she needs to be taught a lesson for seducing you," Annabelle interjected, lunging at Juliette unexpectedly. 
She grabbed her hair and struck her face repeatedly. Shockingly, Linc didn't intervene to stop the violence.
"Enough! All of you, get out of my room. I need to prepare for Brian's burial," Ryan shouted.
Linc unashamedly climbed down from the bed completely naked. He approached Ryan and they exchanged intense glares.
"I am sorry for your loss, brother. By the way, I still haven't received an invitation to the burial. And what's the dress code? I need to inform my stylist," Linc provocatively taunted Ryan. 
It worked, as Ryan swiftly punched Linc in the cheek.
Linc fell to the floor, and Ryan immediately straddled him, gripping his neck and delivering forceful blows to his face.
"Wow, I never knew you were interested in men. Holding me like this while I'm naked? Do you want a taste? Just like your mistress did?" Linc sneered with a devilish grin.
"You sick, deranged psychopath!" Ryan shouted, unleashing all his pent-up anger over what Michael did to Adrienne, grief over his son's death, and the distress plaguing both his family and Adrienne in one powerful blow that broke Linc's nose.
"Ryan!" Annabelle cried out, attempting to pry Ryan off Linc's battered body. However, Ryan forcefully pushed her away instead. 
"It was your stupid mistress that seduced him! Go and beat her up instead and leave my man alone!" Annabelle shouted at Ryan.
Ryan abruptly stopped choking Linc.
"Your man?" Ryan repeated, glaring at Annabelle as he slowly approached her with his blood stained fingers.
"Yes. My man. Linc is my man," Annabelle said, moving back with caution as Ryan took slow steps towards her.
"I am deleting your name from the list of guests for Brian's burial. Set your feet there and you're gonna curse the day you met me," Ryan's words were stern and his eyes were filled with both anger and rage.
"I already cursed the day I met you," Annabelle spat and went to help Linc up and they went to Linc's room.
"Ryan, I am so sorry. He intentionally got me drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. I have no idea why he even carried me to your room. Ryan please I am sorry," Juliette pleaded at his knees.
"Get out, please. I was up all night and I have to rest before it's time for Brian's burial," Ryan said calmly.
"Ryan, just listen to..."
"Darn you, Juliette. Fuck you! Get out!" He shouted and Juliette got scared. Eventually, she gave up and went out.
Ryan sat on the floor, his heart burning with sadness. Life was really overwhelming for him. He couldn't but feel guilty towards Adrienne since his dad died without paying for his crimes. Nothing was going well in his life. 
***
Adrienne entered the burial hall, her strides purposeful and determined, and her pillar of strength, Richard, by her side.
Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Ryan, positioned at the front with red and swollen eyes, evidence of his grief and sleepless nights. Taking a deep breath, Adrienne firmly held Richard's hand and made her way towards Ryan, the sound of her heels echoing through the somber hall.
Ryan glanced up, meeting Adrienne's gaze. He saw the pain etched on her face. 
Amongst the sea of mourners, whispers circulated as Adrienne approached.
"I can't believe she had the nerve to come," a woman muttered.
"Ryan must have invited her. Men have no shame," another woman remarked.
"Who is that man with her? Is he ignorant of her past?" a third woman questioned.
Adrienne chose to disregard the thoughtless comments. Today was a time to pay respects to Brian, not to engage with ignorance.
Reaching Ryan, a heavy silence filled the air, stifling any words that threatened to escape their lips. Adrienne gently squeezed Ryan's hand, conveying her support. His cold and trembling hand responded by tightly gripping hers.
"I'm so sorry, Ryan," Adrienne softly spoke.
"I understand the enormity of your loss, and no words can fully comfort your pain, but..."
"Thank you, Adrienne," Ryan interrupted, his voice choked with tears. He didn't want her to continue as it may lead to him breaking down in tears.
Richard extended his hand, patting Ryan's back in a fraternal gesture, as Ryan inclined his head politely.
The final prayers were said and it was time for the burial, the solemn moment of bidding their final farewell to little Brian.
Approaching Brian's small, white casket, they took a moment to admire the innocent face lying within, untouched by the suffering that had plagued his short life. 
Adrienne's heart weighed heavily with sorrow, her thoughts drifting to her own pregnancy. How would she find the strength to bear the loss of her own child?
Ryan handed her a rose to place atop the casket.
"To each person, a rose holds different meanings. For me, it shall forever symbolize Brian's vivacious spirit," Ryan expressed, gently laying his own rose.
Surrounded by loved ones, they watched as the earth enveloped their precious boy. And just like that, Brian was gone. 
Ryan walked alongside Richard and Adrienne as they made their way back to their car. 
"I want you to know how much I appreciate you being here, Adrienne," Ryan spoke, his voice filled with gratitude. 
"Even though you shouldn't be seen in public, you stayed until the very end. Despite the side comments and judgmental looks, you didn't let it shake you. Thank you."
Adrienne smiled warmly at him. 
"Of course, I had to stay. I loved little Brian."
"Just like I promised you that night, I'm going to help ensure that Linc and Michael pay for their crimes. It is also their fault that Brian died. Even though Michael is no longer with us, I'll make sure the truth about his atrocities is known far and wide."
Adrienne pulled him into a sudden embrace, her hand gently patting his back. 
"Sleep, Ryan. Right now, rest and taking care of yourself should be your priority. Finish up here and go get some rest, okay?" she said, her voice filled with concern.
They exchanged warm smiles before bidding each other goodbye.
During the drive home, Richard couldn't shake his curiosity regarding Ryan's earlier comment. 
"What did Ryan mean when he said, 'like I promised that night'?" he inquired.
Adrienne took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. 
"Sometimes, I pretend not to care, but those small things, they get to me. Those seemingly insignificant things keep me awake at night," she confessed.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his tone tinged with confusion.
Her voice trembled as she spoke, the weight of her emotions evident. 
"The side comments from the people today, and... the video. I know you all are trying to protect me, and I should trust you, but I also have a right to know exactly what's going on," Adrienne pleaded.
"Baby..." Richard began.
"Richard!" she called out his name firmly, refusing to be deterred.
Her desperation was palpable, and Richard knew he couldn't deny her any longer. With a sigh, he retrieved his phone and handed it to her, silently acknowledging her need to understand.
Adrienne's heart raced as she unlocked his phone and quickly went online. 
Her fingers trembled as she typed "Adrienne Davison's trending video" into the search bar, her pulse quickening with each key pressed. With bated breath, she clicked on the search button, a mix of dread and resolve flooding her being...