Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

I was terrified to wake up.

I was afraid that when I regained consciousness, I would once again become a spirit, watching my body being torn apart.

I also feared that I might not have any consciousness at all, unable to even take one last look at Carter, still not having had the chance to say goodbye.

Before regaining full awareness, searing pain overwhelmed me.

The moment I felt the pain, I was strangely relieved; if I could still feel pain, it meant I was alive, not just a wandering soul.

As long as I was alive, I still had a chance.

My head and body ached from the impacts, each part of me throbbing.

The images from before I lost consciousness resurfaced the sight of Zoey being discarded to the green belt, Harlan crawling toward her. She should be okay, right? What about Whitney? Was her heart okay?

I suddenly opened my eyes, and only then did I realize my current situation.

Whitney was not far from me, still unconscious.

I scanned the surroundings. We were locked in a water prison, but fortunately, the water level wasn't too high-just a shallow layer that hadn't even covered my feet. The ground was damp. The room was dark and musty, with only a small, square iron window.

Outside, it was pitch black; it had already turned night.

I listened carefully, hearing the sound of waves from afar.

I had a suspicion in my heart-was this the island that Yael once brought me to?

If the Carlyns were seeking revenge, they would definitely bring us to their burial ground.

Whitney's huge fish-tail wedding dress spread out on the ground, with diamonds scattered all over, glinting coldly in the darkness.

She was already slender and pale, resembling a stranded mermaid. Her entire form exuded a sense of fragility-beautiful, yet heartbreaking.

The dagger was scattered in the car.

I looked down and saw that the silver necklace around my neck was still there.

As long as the island didn't block signals, Carter would be able to detect my presence!

I propped myself up on the damp ground and struggled to stand up.

limbs were intact; I hadn't lost any arms or

from the broken glass, which explained the

spinning, and I felt a slight urge to vomit, likely

unsteady steps through the water, heading toward

Whitney, you must survive.

the

obvious injuries, except for some cuts on

they were

situation

gently touched her face and

"Chloe..."

a sigh of relief as I heard

Does your heart

eyes. "Chloe, I'm fine. You've been protecting me all this

started using my heart, the compatibility between her body and the heart had gradually improved over the

thing I did before I

you been here

had spent many years with Taylor, knowing the Carlyns better than I

in the next moment. "Mom and Dad!" Whitney grabbed my hand. "Chloe, something's wrong. Mom and

enemy had gone to such great lengths to gather all of the Sanders together through Taylor, clearly intending

and I hadn't died was that I had already died once, and Whitney had suffered for

Josh and some of the sons were not very capable, they had lived a comfortable life

of ease and privilege, as if it were

deeper than the one

it wasn't just because of our family ties, like

all, he was still part of the

the focal point of all their

In contrast

you Whitney's worry

for the fate of the Sanders, what matters more to

your body? Can you

I'm fine, but Mom and

a deep, male voice,

"Shouldn't they die?"

was soft, devoid of

to look and only then saw

I couldn't tell how long he had been standing there. He had no