Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 264 The Harsh Truth

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This New Year has been busy but fulfilling for me. After spending three days at the Bolton residence, I finally returned to Philippa's house,

Without the Wilcher family's interference, Philippa seemed to be living more peacefully, her complexion glowing with vitality.

Bill had become surprisingly adept at peeling apples, skillfully cutting them into small pieces and handing them to Philippa.

She ignored him, her attention focused on crocheting an assortment of small toys with her yarn.

Over the years of her marriage to Bill, during long, lonely periods, Philippa had honed her craft skills to pass the time.

While she crocheted little bunnies, Bill sat beside her winding balls of yarn. The scene was oddly harmonious.

That harmony was quickly shattered by the ringing of a phone.

Bill's eyes darted nervously. "I need to step out for a bit he muttered.

Philippa didn't even glance at him. She simply turned and went upstairs.

We all knew why he was leaving.

Worried that Philippa might feel upset, I followed her upstairs. Just as I was about to speak, I saw her drop a coin into a glass jar. "Mom, what are you doing?" I asked.

Philippa gave me a faint smile. "It's an old habit I picked up years ago. Back when I was young and restless, I started this little game for myself. Every time your father disappointed me, I'd toss a coin into this jar. I told myself that once the jar was full, I'd leave him for good."

I glanced at the large glass jar and quipped, "You must've been pretty forgiving to give him so many chances. If it were me, even a medium-sized coffee cup would feel too big."

Philippa chuckled softly, cradling the jar. "You're right. Deep down, I never really wanted to leave. I knew the Wilchers couldn't do without him, and I didn't have the freedom to walk away either. It was just self-deception. But the habit stuck, even to this day." "And now, even with a jar this big, it's almost full."

The coins had nearly reached the rim. Just a few more and the jar would be filled.

It felt symbolic, a reflection of their relationship. If Bill turned things around now, there might still be hope for them, no matter how messy their past had been.

But if he kept going down this path, there could only be one ending.

Looking at the jar brimming with coins, I thought about how many times Bill had let Philippa down over

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the last 20 years.

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hugged my mom. "This will all be over soon,

"Happiness and

in her voice and quickly

eye. "I know this

are

my daughter. Who you?"

seemed hesitant so many times before.

ago.

"1..."

gave birth to and raised-I know her temperament inside and out. She's not as brave or clever as you are. I don't dislike you; in fact, I like you. But, I just want

to the weight of her doubts and asked the

head, knowing I had no choice but to tell her the harsh

shock. Just a short while ago,

"You're Chloe Sanders?"

during that time, I heard Zoey's

I learned everything that had happened. As repayment, I'll fulfill all

child do something like

covered her face as tears streamed through her fingers. "So that dream was real dreamt of her. She was wearing a white dress, smiling at me so gently. She said she was finally free, and someone

like my own mother and take care of you. When I found out you were pregnant, I couldn't bear to let you

my rebirth, I felt

would give

still flat stomach, a trace of cautious hope in her

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child is Zoey or not, it's her little brother or sister. I'm sure Zoey would want

Philippa, gently wiping her tears. "Mom, Ill always

wonder you did all those things back then. You've been

find

felt relieved. If Philippa ever uncovered more about me,

sorry for what I'd endured, she became even more gentle with me, trying to

her stories from my childhood and making her laugh until her stomach

didn't expect you to be such a mischievous child! Zoey was so different-impossible to figure out and rarely smiled. It was my fault for hurting her." "From now on, make sure your

"I will!"