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 Harsh

the last 20 years.

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all be over soon, Mom. You'll have the happiness and

"Happiness

tinge of sadness in her voice and quickly asked, "Mom, what's

then looked me straight in the eye. "I know this might sound abrupt. But, I know

are

my daughter. Who you?"

Philippa had seemed hesitant so many times before. She'd

ago.

"1..."

know her temperament inside and out. She's not as brave or clever as you are. I don't dislike you; in

gave in to the weight of her doubts

head, knowing I had no choice but to tell her the harsh truth. "Mom, you know me. I'm not, Zoey.

Just a short while ago,

"You're Chloe Sanders?"

spirit, wandering the earth for a month. I desperately wanted to live, and during that

this world. From her memories, I

foolish child do

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

care of you. When I found out you were pregnant, I couldn't bear to let you terminate it. I thought maybe Zoey couldn't let go of you,

might sound absurd, but after experiencing my rebirth, I felt like anything was

give Philippa hope

stomach, a trace of cautious hope in her

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264 The

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

gently wiping her tears. "Mom, Ill always be by your

you did

people always find ways to

out, I felt relieved. If Philippa ever uncovered more about me, at least

she became even more gentle with me, trying to make up for the motherly love I

her stories from my childhood and making her laugh until

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 little siblings are always

"I will!"