Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

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Chapter 481 Everyone's Getting It

The night had settled in, and the lights outside flickered on. I nestled into Carter's arms, still unclean; both of us sticky from what had just happened.

His movements were gentle and careful as always; mindful of the little life we were nurturing.

In this rare moment of peace, I traced the outline of his abs, a smile tugging at my lips. "When did you find out about the Carlyns? Why didn't you tell me?"

Carter's fingers sifted through my hair as he spoke. "We were right. They were targeted by the organization, but they're no strangers to danger. They faked their deaths to escape. The fewer people who know about it, the better. The Carlyns didn't want to drag you into this. After we parted ways on the island, they probably already had this planned. They even sent Whitney away early to keep her safe."

I looked up at him, confused. "But how did you find out?"

"Two days ago, someone left a hairpin in my parking spot. I recognized it immediately. It was Amber's. That's when I knew she was letting us know they were safe."

• Frustration bubbled up inside me, and I bit down on his chest. "Why didn't you tell Whitney? Do you have any idea what she's been through these past few days?"

"Chloe," he said gently, "If the Carlyns wanted her to know, they wouldn't have needed me to tell her. Don't forget, the people who died were after you and your sister."

I blinked, the realization sinking in. "So you're saying someone used Whitney to test if the Carlyns were still alive?"

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"Everyone knows how Taylor feels about Whitney. If we'd told her too soon, it would've been easy for the truth to slip out. I wanted to wait, but I didn't expect her to get sick. And I sure didn't expect Taylor to come to me, asking to see her." I was speechless. If it had been me, I knew I couldn't have stayed disinterested if Carter had been ill.

Whitney, however, was different. I figured it out from her reaction-and from Carter's words.

The moment she saw him, even from behind, she recognized him.

In that instant, she must've pieced everything together. She pretended not to know him and said things to hurt Taylor. She was probably blaming him for hiding the truth.

After everything that had happened, Whitney understood why Taylor had made those decisions all those

years ago.

fully accept the bitter history between the Sanders

she could've acted like it didn't affect her, but the news of their deaths

I was certain the joy of their reunion far

doors, they were so wrapped up in each other that

else.

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Finished

Seeing him safe and

something wrong with Luther? He approached Whitney and me a few

nodded. "Yeah. Taylor thinks that school might be their second

that bold? And the

my nose. "Why the sudden confusion? From the start, Commander and his wife used the Carlyns to get rid of the Sanders. Do you really think they'd let the Carlyns in on too many secrets?" "True," I muttered.

seemed like Taylor was the

his father's mess while caring for his innocent younger brother and his sister, as well as Whitney,

was a

academy is something else. Many of the students are high-level professionals. did some

that, thinking they were heading overseas for better opportunities,

police. And even if the authorities catch on, they'd face jail time when they return. Many got a taste of the rewards and started expanding their networks. Now, they're too deep into it and have no plans

evidence. It's not just about revenge; he wants to make up for his past and live a clean life. He knows he can't be with his love one in this position, so he's been doing everything he can to protect

sighed. "He

couldn't help but feel a little sympathy

must be in serious

this for years. He knows how to keep himself

Luther's really part of the organization, he'll

his head. "I've already pulled our people back. If Luther is with

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harder. The thing is, Luther's out in the open, just like Taylor. Their identities are clean. Even if you look

about it."

"But..."