The reckoning
In the days that followed, the vibrant tones of life in Silver Creek dulled to greys. Severus mourned the loss of Harry, rolling pictures of their shared childhood in his mind like a movie that played on endlessly. The laughter, the dreams, and the promises resurfaced, now tainted by the bitter truth that his heart had once hesitated.
With the town now abuzz with gossip about the real circumstances of the rancher's death, Severus took it upon himself to seek the truth. He worked tirelessly, piecing together evidence that eventually revealed a different story—a jealous rival had caused the rancher's demise.
“I should have trusted you, Harry. I should have stood by you,” he whispered to the wind as he knelt by the place where Harry used to dream under the stars.