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."

head frantically, crying, "No, no! Don't say stupid things like that!

in tears now,

of her shock-didn't rush to Greg. Instead, she hurried forward and dropped

she pleaded, "Mr. Carlyn, I'm a Sanders. Please, let me atone for 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

was no Taylor here. No one

his fingers. "Anna, I've already

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

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

her, but I couldn't move. My hands were pressed firmly against Greg's wound, trying to hold in

heavy strikes and chopping, far less precise than a dagger that could take a life

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

long as he got medical attention in time, there was still a chance

and logic,

any given situation, instead of breaking

and Amber were nowhere to be seen, which made it obvious that Dominic had planned this carefully. He didn't want anyone interfering with or ruining

might actually leave

begging for mercy. She was trying to stir even

up, and no one

I

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. If revenge has a target, let it fall on me. Spare

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

into an amused smile, making it clear that he

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

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

tears. She was too

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

pay for it with my leg,"

lived a life of luxury and indulgence, and now you think you can die