Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 139 Chloe, My Chloe

The following day, I didn't stir until well after noon, my head pounding from the aftermath of last night's indulgence.

Three glasses of red wine, and here I was, knocked out old. I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

There was a time when I could handle much more-three glasses of white wine wouldn't even make me blink. A slight stomach ache, maybe, but not a hangover like this.

What on earth happened last night?

As my eyes scanned the room, I realized I was lying in the bed of the private room. Everything seemed in order, no sign of a chaotic night, so I assumed I had managed to keep it together. Nothing too embarrassing had occurred. It had been a long time since I woke up like this-without the irritating buzz of an alarm.

It seemed that with my rebirth, I'd also found a cure for my insomnia. No more pills; I could sleep peacefully now.

Yawning. I stumbled to the bathroom. As I checked myself in the mirror, I noticed my lips were a little swollen. How odd. Did I ... kiss a wine bottle last night?

Thankfully, there were no other marks on my body, so I brushed it off.

When I stepped out, I saw Carter sitting by the window, engrossed in his tablet. He was probably handling emails or something equally tedious.

His eyes flicked up to meet mine as I approached. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

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gave him a sweet, almost playful smile. "My head hurts a little, Mr. Bolton. I didn't say anything too strange last night, did I?

His gaze lingered on my lips for a split second before he responded, "No."

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "See? I told you, I can hold my liquor."

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"You were very composed," Carter commented, his eyes still focused on his screen. His voice was neutral, but there was something beneath it that I couldn't quite place. "Come over here. Let's see if you can spot the person you're looking for

-

I quickly moved to his side. Carter's efficiency never failed to impress me he had already compiled detailed information about every auto repair shop in the city, all in the time it took me to blink.

I scrolled through the photos, examining each one carefully. Even though I had no idea what the man looked like, I'd never forget those eyes.

But no luck.

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08:19 Tue, Dec 10

Chapter 139 Chloe, My Chloe

I swiped faster, and Carter's calm voice cur through my torus. Don't rush. Take your time

If I could track him down. I could uncover the truth-that det hired someone to

reached the last photo,

my face because he

one yorker to

"Nothing."

one thing before she died that she had seen a man at the

employee or just a

was a customer, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It felt

records? Where she's had her

I'll look

the man, my next best step would be

how my body had been discovered

was connected to the auto shop, maybe the

find the scene, I'd surely find some

must have noticed my troubled expression because he spoke again, his voice warm and reassurin "Don't worry. We'll take this one step at a time. You're probably hungry. How about

have to worry about that." He gave me a small, reassuring

my rebirth yet, so

to rush. The dinner party was the pressing

still new here at Bolton's, and I'm not familiar with the details of the dinner. I could use your

to be so formal. I've already asked Damian to take

gesture, he motioned for me to come closer. As

hair.

you before, don't be so formal. No "Mr. Bolton' when it's just the two of

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08:19 Tue, Dec

Chloe,

blinked. "Then what should

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me for a moment, his eyes unreadable. "Call me what you called me before, when others were

you sure that's

but it felt like he was expecting a

fine. I'll call you Zoey,

"Okay."

stood up. Then I'll

"Go ahead"

was important, and every detail from the drinks to the venue needed to be perfect.

to task. But when I finally collapsed into bed,

the middle of the night, I felt the

room's comfortable temperature, my hands

shifted closer to

I felt soft, warm pressure on

it was, but I

from my lips to my ear, then trailed down

voice whispered, "Chloe, my Chloe, you've finally