Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Ethan and Jake both died in accidents. I wasn't there when it happened. Aside from sorrow for their lives lost too soon and hatred for the person behind it all, I didn't feel much.

The only effect it had on me was that I couldn't sleep well that night.

I thought I had long since severed ties with the identity of being the Sander family's fourth daughter. But when Greg's warm blood splattered all over me, I realized something I'd tried to deny for years. Blood ties-no matter how broken, even if the bodies were torn to pieces-could never truly be cut.

Josh and Kate stumbled toward us, their movements unsteady. Kate, in her panic and worry, tripped and fell heavily to the ground.

Penelope tried to stand up, but her frail body wouldn't let her. She could only crawl across the floor, inch by inch, toward Greg.

Whitney took a step back, like she had been scared stiff. Tears slid slowly from her eyes.

Yet again, her loved ones were bleeding out right in front of her. She had to be the one hurting the most.

My vision was completely filled with the piercing red of blood. Before I could even think clearly, I had already crouched down and was pressing hard on his wound.

But the gash was too big. Blood kept pouring out, covering my hands.

"Coco."

He reached up weakly and touched my face. "It's been a long time since I called you that."

"I-I'm sorry..."

He let out a soft, resigned laugh. "So it turns out... saying sorry isn't as hard as I thought."

I held back my tears, forcing my voice to remain cold as I told him, "I won't accept your apology. Don't think that dying will make everything go away."

"Heh... cough... You're still so kind. How could I ever have doubted that you might've joined the Carlyns to hurt us? Actually... under the plum tree, I buried a jar of Ruby Toast. I'd planned to open it for your wedding night, but... but fate played its tricks. I'm sorry. That night, I thought you'd just run off in a tantrum. I never imagined... Coco, ending up like this-it's what I deserve."

He gave a bitter smile. "Dad, Mom... I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill my duty as your son, to care for you until the end."

She shook her head frantically, crying, "No, no! Don't say stupid

in tears now, his face streaked

rush to Greg. Instead, she hurried forward and

the Sanders. Save my brother! He doesn't know anything-he's innocent! You can do whatever you

here.

"Anna, I've already shown you mercy

head to the ground in desperation. "Mr. Carlyn, the Sanders are at fault for everything every last mistake is ours. Ethan and Jake are already dead. Greg is the last Sanders alive. I'm begging you ... please spare him. Give the Sanders one last chance. I'll trade my life for his. Please... I'm begging

bowing her head, hitting it against the ground with so much force that blood had started to show

couldn't move. My hands were pressed firmly against

for heavy strikes and chopping, far less precise than a dagger that

force of my grip. The wound wasn't deep

time, there was still a chance

had shown her composure and logic, both in the car earlier and

any given situation, instead of breaking down and

nowhere to be seen, which made it obvious that Dominic

actually leave us with a sliver of

was trying to stir even the tiniest shred

up, and no one noticed him at

axe I had dropped on

sins. I've already lost two sons, and my two daughters have suffered endlessly because of this. Now Greg's life hangs by a thread.

always been selfish, timid, and cowardly. Yet, in this moment, he had stepped

lips curled into an amused smile, making it clear that he

wanted to kill us, we'd already be dead

long as you

ground, was so distraught that her face was covered in tears. She was too overwhelmed to even string together a full sentence. "No

her and grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back. "Watch carefully, you old hag. Watch how your son loses his leg. Hurts, doesn't it? But let me ask you this did you feel anything back then when my father lost his leg at just two years old? He was just a child! How could you Sanders be so cruel as to break

I'll pay for it

"You? A decrepit old bag who's halfway in the grave anyway? You've lived a life of luxury and indulgence, and now you