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.

people who had loved me, guided me, made me feel like I

“Jeffrey … Jeffrey…”

master left strict instructions. You must take care of yourself. Please … don’t let grief

the house. Now, silence pressed in from every side. I looked up and saw

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

lifted my face, searching for him. Of course, I saw nothing. But I knew. He

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Chapter 525 Farewell.

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Finished

He couldn’t leave me behind. Not yet. Not before he made sure we

same kindness he had always carried. “Chloe, don’t cry. I’m only going

trembling lips, “I’ll take

draft stirred the

of my hair before fading into stillness.

shifted, then settled. The

knew. He had let go. He

their laughter

sprang

to prepare formula, and the other checked their

the infants refused milk and comfort alike. Their wailing only

of the nannies murmured. “They’re not wet, and they just ate. Could

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

but obeyed, exchanging uncertain glances.

weakly. “Tell the butler to make

frowned. “For

stuck. It took effort to force them out. “My

women stiffened, eyes darting between me and the restless children in my arms. Perhaps,

no patience for questions. I waved them off. “Just do

“Yes, ma’am.”

tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats. I gave them the softest smile I

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