Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Billionaire Is 10

After Carter left, Luke lingered by the cold, empty riverside, staring at his phone.

The screen flickered with notifications, but none were from me.

He was probably thinking about the past. I'd noticed long ago how his attitude toward Anna had shifted, and it upset me more than I liked to admit.

But each time, after my anger flared, I'd wonder if I was being petty. Anna was his stepsister, after all. There was nothing wrong with him being kind to her.

So, I taught myself to overlook it, constantly doubting my feelings, convincing myself I shouldn't let small issues disrupt the fragile peace between our families. I was always the one to make up with him. It had been 24 hours since my last message.

I'd been missing for a for a whole day.

With a frustrated grunt, Luke tossed a stone into the river. "Splash."

"Go ahead, throw your tantrum. Let's see how long you last this time," he muttered, his voice cutting through the quiet.

I stood beside him, a bitter smile on my face. Even at my worst, I never stayed away more than three days.

He thought he had me figured certain I'd

out,

I never cause any real trouble.

I watched his handsome face, now clouded with frustration, and my mind drifted back to when we were 12. At summer camp, during that terrible rainstorm, I got trapped on the mountain. Luke risked a landslide to come find me. I'd sobbed when I finally threw myself into his muddy arms, terrified I something could've happened to him because of me.

He just smiled, even covered in dirt. "I couldn't leave you up here. The thought of you being scared made me want to grow wings and fly to you."

Back then, I

I didn't understand love. All I knew was his embrace was warm, and I wanted him to protect me forever.

Now, even though this mess was his fault, he felt no guilt. He thought I was the one being unreasonable.

Once someone's heart changes, even their breathing feels like an offense.

By

the fourth day after my death, Luke finally started to panic.

He opened our chat thread, staring at the last voice message he'd sent.

I

My phone was still off.

"Mr. Bolton, your coffee." Roy placed a cup on the desk, hoping to snap him out of it.

Luke hadn't realized he'd been staring at his phone for half an hour.

Four

Even if Chloe was furious, she should've cooled off by

grabbed his coat, and

"Reschedule

you

important meeting coming up," Roy

Reschedu it." Luke didn't

every

glance back.

into the

Ms.

someone's here to to see you," a

face hardening when she saw Luke. She'd been my best friend since high school, forced into teaching by her parents, but always on my side. She understood I my pain and barely contained her contempt. "What do you

It's embarrassing for everyone." Megan's eyes narrowed, her

eve

the one who ditched her at the

call her and tell her to come

then that

days. She didn't waste time cursing

we fight, she runs to

was my closest confidant. I couldn't open up

why Luke assumed I'd been with her this whole

the wedding and just got back today. What happened to Chloe? Did you piss her off again, you jerk?" Luke stared at her tired, bloodshot eyes, the dark circles beneath them, her chapped lips. It was obvious

voice chased after him. "Luke, if something's happened to Chloe, I won't let

out, Wa Megan, I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. You have

! helplessly.

stray hair from Megan's face, but my

phone call while driving. When he hung up,

anymore. She'd never hear my voice

I was yanked

He dialed Roy. "Roy,

Llet

pulled back to I

into Chloe

a a bitter

years was only now, on

body was probably starting to

call, Anna flung open the car door and

Before Luke

two days?" she whined, pouting like she was the one who'd been

"Luke! Why've

You

wanting their relationship to be exposed, hung

exhausted, too drained to deal

it's not urgent, I

to let go. "But Luke, my art exhibit opens today!

out of

that he not only ignored Chloe's disappearance