Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 525 Farewell

A weight settled in my chest, cold and crushing. I could not wait any longer–I had to call Carter.

The phone rang. Then, at last, his voice came through, rough, and weary. “Chloe.”

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. “Dad, he…

”

Carter’s silence stretched before he forced the words out. “He’s gone.”

The phone slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

I had known this moment would come. Jeffrey prepared everything, leaving no loose ends. The signs were there. The outcome had always been certain.

But knowing and accepting were two different things.

The finality of it struck like a blade, sharp and merciless.

I dropped to my knees, my hands covering my face. Sobs broke free, and tears spilled between my fingers. My whole body shook.

He had been a good man. A pillar of quiet strength. For 20 years, he had stood in my life like an unwavering presence, and I had come to love him as a grandfather.

If he had stayed–weak, frail, bound to a hospital bed—it wouldn’t have mattered.

He still would have been here. There would have been someone to visit, someone to miss.

Now, he was gone, and with him, the last thread holding the Boltons together had begun to fray.

“Jeffrey, why did it have to be this way?”

His health had failed him, but medicine had come so far. The Boltons had wealth, power, and connections. They could have kept him here a little longer.

But Carter had been right. No one could hold back a man who had already chosen to go.

A year ago, I buried my grandmother. Now, I had to bury Jeffrey, too.

me, guided me, made me feel like I belonged. Gone.

“Jeffrey … Jeffrey…”

me, her voice gentle. “Ma’am, the master left strict instructions. You must take care of yourself. Please … don’t let

Now, silence pressed in from every side. I looked up and saw Everett standing still, his gaze distant, his eyes searching

brushed over me, like a hand

my face, searching for him. Of course, I saw nothing. But I knew. He had come back.

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Fri, 28 Feb

Chapter 525 Farewell.

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me behind. Not yet. Not before he made sure we would be

same kindness he had

built in my throat, and I whispered through trembling lips, “I’ll take care of Everett and

stirred the

hair before

shifted, then settled. The house remained as

knew. He had let go. He had truly left

their laughter vanishing as if snatched away by

nannies sprang into

formula, and the other checked their

and comfort alike.

and they just ate. Could they be sick? Should we call

dampness from my face, pushing myself upright with their help. “No. Give them

obeyed, exchanging uncertain glances.

voice came weakly. “Tell the butler

nanny frowned. “For what,

words stuck. It took

two women stiffened, eyes darting between me and the restless children in my arms. Perhaps, in their minds, grief had cursed this house, following us like

had no patience for questions. I waved them off.

“Yes, ma’am.”

were blotchy with tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats. I gave them the softest smile I could muster. “Don’t cry.

too little to understand. Their exhaustion soon won over, and their