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

if Chloe was furious, she should've cooled

abruptly, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door. "Mr.

"Reschedule

you

coming up," Roy reminded

Reschedu it." Luke didn't

every

glance back.

straight into the city and found

Ms.

to see you," a

since high school, forced into teaching by her parents,

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

eve

you, right?" Luke snapped. "Tell her hell are you talking about, Luke? Are you delusional? You were the one who ditched her at the wedding. She had to apologize to everyone.

an explanation. Just call her and tell

then that Megan realized I

her best friend been home for days. She didn't

time we fight, she runs to you," Luke said, his tone

I couldn't open

Luke assumed I'd been with her this

My grandmother's dying. I went back to my hometown after 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 she hadn't slept for

but Megan's voice chased after him. "Luke, if something's happened to Chloe, I

I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. You

! helplessly.

hair from Megan's face, but my hand passed

call while driving. When he hung up, his

anymore. She'd

I was

He dialed Roy. "Roy,

Llet

pulled back to I

into Chloe

a a

only now, on day four of my disappearance, starting

body was

Anna flung open the car door and

Before Luke

days?" she whined, pouting like she was the one

"Luke! Why've

You

their relationship to be

exhausted, too drained to deal with

not urgent, I need to head

to let go. "But Luke, my art exhibit opens today! Aren't you

out of

few days that he not only ignored Chloe's disappearance but also forgot about Anna's art show, which she'd been