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."

were falling uncontrollably. She shook her head frantically, crying, "No, no! Don't say stupid things like that! You'll be

one, was also in tears now, his face streaked

Whitney-when she finally snapped out of her shock-didn't rush to Greg. Instead, she hurried forward and dropped to her knees

the Sanders. Save my brother! He doesn't know anything-he's innocent! You can do whatever you want to me, torture me however you like, but please ... save him!" Tears rolled down her sharp

was no Taylor here. No one

her chin with his fingers. "Anna, I've already shown

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

kept bowing her head, hitting it against the ground with so much force that blood had started to show on her forehead. Seeing it made my heart

were pressed firmly against Greg's wound, trying to hold in the

his wound. Axes were weapons designed for heavy strikes and chopping, far less precise than a dagger that

into me, I instinctively pulled back, loosening the force of my grip. The wound wasn't

long as he got medical attention in time, there

had shown her composure and logic, both in

be done in any given situation, instead of breaking down and

be seen, which made it obvious that Dominic had planned this carefully. He didn't want anyone interfering

Wisteria, Dominic might actually leave us with a sliver of

was trying

and no one noticed

axe I

lost two sons, and my two daughters have suffered endlessly because of this. Now Greg's life hangs by a thread. If revenge has a target, let it fall on me. Spare his life, and I'll trade one of my legs for it.

in shock. In my eyes, Josh had always been selfish, timid, and cowardly. Yet, in this moment, he had

curled into an amused smile, making it clear that he and Wisteria wanted to drag the Sanders through

truly wanted to kill us, we'd already be dead without ever

then. As long as you cut off your own leg with

was so distraught that her face was covered in tears. She was too

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

for it with my

lived a life of luxury and