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.

guided me,

“Jeffrey … Jeffrey…”

beside me, her voice gentle. “Ma’am, the master left strict instructions. You must take care of

from every side. I looked up and saw Everett standing

in the air. A warmth, light and fleeting, brushed over me, like a hand resting softly atop my

searching for him. Of course, I saw nothing. But I

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Chapter 525 Farewell.

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Finished

Not yet. Not before he made sure

his voice filled with the same kindness he had always carried. “Chloe, don’t cry.

trembling lips, “I’ll take care of Everett

stirred the air, lifting.

hair before fading into stillness.

settled. The house remained

knew. He had let go. He had

cries, their laughter vanishing as if snatched away by unseen hands.

sprang into

formula, and the other

refused milk and comfort alike.

wet, and they just ate. Could they

from my face, pushing myself upright

hesitated but obeyed, exchanging

came weakly. “Tell the

nanny frowned. “For what, ma’am?”

parted, but the words stuck. It took effort to force them out. “My father–in–law’s

and the restless children in my arms. Perhaps, in their minds, grief had cursed this

for questions. I waved them off.

“Yes, ma’am.”

them gently. Their tiny faces were blotchy with tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats. I gave them the

to understand. Their exhaustion soon won over, and