Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 461 Let's End Here

A

Finished

I had finally returned to my hometown. The trip to Jaford hadn't taken long-barely a month..

A lot had happened in that time. When I got back to Snowville, it felt like a completely different world.

Snowville had just transitioned from the long winter in the warmth of spring. The streets were lined with cherry blossoms, their vibrant pink petals in full boom. As the wind blew, the petals danced through the air, creating a soft, romantic atmosphere in the city Carter was driving, slowing the car as I rolled down the window to soak in the gentle sunlight. It felt like the sadness and bloodshed I'd experienced were being washed away by the cherry blossoms' soft rain.

Carter had come with me to the Sander residence, where the Sanders had arrived a day before. When I got there, Whitney was sitting under the swing in the yard deep in thought.

The house had been renovated, but the main structure was still the same. I walked up behind Whitney and asked, "Do you remember this place?"

She nodded. "I don't recall much from before I was three, but I remember this yard. You used to push me on the swing, and our brothers would fly kites with me. Jake was always so naughty, climbing the cherry tree to shower me with petals. One time, the branch broke, and he fell. He had to wear a cast for three months."

Whitney smiled through her tears. "These memories have kept me going. I wanted to hold on to them, but as time passed, I started forgetting.

"I couldn't even remember your faces anymore. The only thing that stayed with me was this yard, the swing, and the tree. They appeared in my dreams countless times. Now that I'm back, it feels like those 20 years were just a dream."

I pulled her onto the swing. "Let me push you again."

"Okay."

The sky was clear, and the spring breeze gently brushed through Whitney's hair. Still, the sadness in her eyes remained, and her white skirt fluttered in the wind, reminiscent of when she was a carefree child. But that child would never return.

I came back to say my final goodbye to Grandma. Since the Sanders were worried about Dominic finding out, they didn't have a funeral for her. Instead, they quietly moved her to the family tomb.

When they heard I was coming, the Sanders prepared a big dinner. It was also the first time I returned as Chloe since my rebirth.

to my room, which held

room felt unchanged, as if frozen in the moment when I loved Luke the most. Our photo sat on the desk,

months, yet I had nearly forgotten him. If it weren't for the things about him I'd left behind, I might not have realized how deeply I cared for him

through my old photo album, learning

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461 Let's

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had on the island, but I could tell she could never go back to

sure you want to let it

it will give us enough

get a prosthetic for his leg, so he won't limp anymore. As for Anna.... Kate paused

know Josh was alive. But

Grandma's life's work," I said

kids. You were naughty but so full of joy back then. Now, even though we're still alive, we're burdened with so much pain." Kate's tears flowed. "We can't stay here anymore.

wrapped her arms around her.

glistening with tears, and I glanced at the clock. "It's late. Let's

"It's my way of fulfilling a wish. Let's have one

I replied. "There's no family to reunite

at my sleeve, her voice soft. "Chloe, it's just one

harder for her, I gave in. "Fine, stop crying. I'll

table, Whitney glanced at the empty chairs. A mix of loneliness and faint comfort flickered across her

and others who had passed was painfully obvious. With her eyes brimming with tears, Kate said, "We're finally all here for a family dinner." Josh sat

Ethan's empty plate and shrimp on Jake's as if they were still

added barbecue ribs to

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467 Let's End

crying, but I didn't push the food

been so long since you've had my barbecue