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 belonged. Gone.

“Jeffrey … Jeffrey…”

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

up and saw Everett standing still, his gaze distant, his

fleeting, brushed over me, like a hand resting softly

course, I saw nothing. But I knew. He had come back.

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Chapter 525 Farewell.

65%

Finished

He couldn’t leave me behind. Not

same kindness he had always carried. “Chloe,

and I whispered through trembling lips, “I’ll take care of Everett and Everly. I swear. So please…

draft stirred the

my hair before

then settled. The house remained as it was.

knew. He had let go. He

their laughter vanishing as if snatched

sprang

to prepare formula, and the other checked their

comfort alike. Their wailing only

wet, and they just

the dampness from my face, pushing myself upright with

but obeyed, exchanging uncertain glances.

came weakly. “Tell the butler to make

older nanny frowned. “For

but the words stuck. It took

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

patience for questions. I waved them off. “Just do it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

in their throats.

soon won over,