Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Greg gripped the knife, his hand shaking uncontrollably. "Chloe, don't hold it against me. I admit we wronged you all these years and misunderstood you. But can you truly claim to be blameless? Why didn't you tell us the truth after you were reborn? You let Ethan and Jake die for nothing. I know you're taking revenge for the way we mistreated you. To show up so calmly at the Carlyn Residence, you must be working with them, right? If that's the case, then Ethan's death is on you!"

With those words, he thrust the dagger toward my chest.

Alright, so be it.

I had braced myself before coming here. If Dominic wanted to watch us tear each other apart, then I would strike back-for Whitney's sake.

So, he shared the same intent, leaving me with no reason to feel remorse.

I seized his wrist and drove my knee into his stomach. He was too weak to resist, and I effortlessly disarmed him.

Though my self-defense training was minimal, it was more than sufficient to handle someone like Greg, whose life had been riddled with indulgence.

At the Sanders, only Ethan and Jake showed any sign of growth. One was steadfast in maintaining the family business, while the other aspired to expand abroad.

Greg, on the other hand, was nothing more than a burden, draining the family's wealth on food, alcohol, motorbikes, antiques, and women.

Given his frail body and jittery state, he stood no chance against me.

As I kicked him to the ground, Kate crawled over to his side.

"Chloe, let him go! Even if he's useless, he's still your brother!"

This moment feels all too familiar-they show no remorse, yet in their eyes, I've returned as a vengeful spirit. To them, the downfall of the Sanders is entirely my doing.

How absurd. Whether Wisteria exists or not, they've always seen me as an adversary.

"Brother... "I chuckled softly.

Kate only noticed me pushing Greg to the ground, conveniently ignoring the fact that he had just tried to kill me.

Or perhaps, in their minds, I'm still the same submissive Chloe, endlessly patient, incapable of sorrow, and willing to endure their very slight.

Right now, I can't help but long for Carter-he's the only one who would unwaveringly stand by my side, no matter the circumstances.

I'm not afraid to face the world as my enemy, but I can't bear the judgmental stares of those who raised me.

To them, I'm the embodiment of everything wrong, yet the truth is undeniable ... I'm the one who has suffered!

moment, a frail

confusion. "Mom, why do you see Chloe

defend me, but Josh cut her off harshly. "Anna, you've been gone too long to understand what's happened in the Sanders. Your brother's death could have been avoided. Chloe is undoubtedly working with those monsters at the Carlyns. Stay away from her-she might hurt

snapped, her voice

out those words. The rise and fall of her chest made

that moment, the sound of

with mockery. "Bravo! It's truly entertaining to

recognized the voice, my expression shifted dramatically.

the shadows, a figure cloaked in black stepped

to when I last saw her in Snowville a month ago, she had grown noticeably thinner. Her cheeks were hollow, and her entire appearance resembled a skeleton

You lying, treacherous

sleeve, and her eyes burned with hatred. "We treated you like family! How could you betray us like

hurried to pull Kate away, fearing she might act recklessly. Wisteria, frail and gaunt as she appeared, seemed

restrained, Wisteria raised her hand and struck her across the face. The

Who could rival you, Sanders, when it comes to acting like beasts?" Wisteria

closer to Penelope, her voice cold and deliberate. "You should count yourself lucky to

She had witnessed, just as I had,

bringing Penelope to this point. The calm composure she once carried had vanished, replaced by a noticeable unease

blameless. If it's my life you want, take it, but spare them. They've treated you like a daughter all these

to face me. "Don't worry," she sneered. "Your turn

glanced at her subordinates. "Take

men in black moved toward me, but they appeared cautious, handling me far more gently than they had with the Sanders. They simply shoved me aside, not laying a finger on

understood her message-not to act recklessly.

Sanders had made

had grasped this reality as soon as I woke up in the dungeon, already preparing to shield Whitney from causing harm to the others at

was the one person I couldn't bring myself

Carlyns, she had cared for me throughout half

only killing my grandparents cruelly but also causing my father to suffer, leaving him

been

nothing

mother passed away when I was very young because of my father's illness. Why should

filled with bitterness. "Chloe, do you know why I hate you so much? The truth is, I knew about

Anna at the lantern

w you