Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Even after Her Death

Chapter 528 Dimple

Finished

After Jeffrey’s passing, the Bolton estate settled into a quietude that seemed almost unnatural. The place. once bustling with life, now stood still, as if mourning its own loss. Carter took charge, pouring himself into the restoration of the house. Every corner was carefully examined, and any lingering remnants of danger were cleared away. The house, though still bearing its old bones, had a renewed air, as if it had shed its past like a snake shedding its skin.

We moved back in, and though the familiar walls remained, the interior had been transformed.

The old and creaky floors were now polished and gleaming. The rooms were modern and bright, with an inviting warmth that had been missing before.

Sheila’s room–the one where Wisteria had spent so many nights–was gone. In its place stood a new structure, sleek and minimal, yet filled with an odd sense of finality.

Adam, forever changed by the losses he had endured, was a shadow of the man he used to be. His eyes, once full of life and mischief, now seemed lost. He had retreated to a small cottage in the backyard, choosing solitude over company, finding solace in prayer and meditation. The outside world no longer seemed to interest him, and he had distanced himself from it completely.

Luke, on the other hand, had stepped into a role of responsibility that he had once shied away from.

With Carter focused on the wedding, Luke took charge of the company, managing the day–to–day operations with a newfound maturity.

It was clear that everything the family had been through had shaped him, and though his transformation had come at a high price, there was no denying he had grown.

When Jeffrey first passed, Carter and I had agreed it wasn’t the right time for a wedding.

But the weight of waiting had become too much for him. The moment had arrived, and he couldn’t delay it any longer.

When I had arrived in Zoey’s body, Chloe’s death had cast a long shadow over everything. We had no ceremony, just a quiet signing of papers. No celebration. No joy. It felt like a hollow victory, and the decision to forgo the wedding had stretched on for far longer than I had anticipated.

Over a year had passed, and the wait had almost broken me.

The news of Jeffrey’s death had remained a family secret, known only to those closest to us.

But Carter, determined to move on and make a life together, began planning the wedding with all the fervor of someone who had waited far too long.

Many of the details had already been sorted out in the previous months, and now, our wedding was just around the corner.

Amber, always true to her word, arrived to help with the children.

I was sitting under the shade of a tree when she showed up. She carefully laid the kids down on a soft blanket. The sunlight streamed through the leaves above, casting dappled patterns on their faces. The warmth was gentle, perfect for a lazy afternoon.

Carter had planted rows of flowers around the yard, making the air thick with their sweet fragrance. It

ceemed as if the warden itself was celebrating

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their songs filling the air, while the squirrels played in the trees. Everett and

children as I went over the

away the painful memories of my past life. A wedding that would be ours–a

reach, we knew the guest list would be a

had to be perfect.

were

hoping to make the day even more special for

of wealth, where the shine of diamonds or the glint of gold would never win their attention. Luxuries were nothing more

soles gently into the warm red clay, and then, one by one, I stamped each invitation

a small gesture, but it felt

of it, I didn’t hear Amber approach until her voice

“Making invitations.”

gave me a questioning look. “Who

ones, I thought I’d do something different. You’re here,

on her lips. “You really

me out. You can stamp the

just

cutting corners. They’ll love getting something

skeptical. “Why not just

handprints? People will think I’m running an

above taking full advantage of

once wanted to

were done, Amber slipped into a familiar routine. She fed the kids, changed their diapers with a speed that suggested practice.

know you were

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always seen her as someone hard–edged and distant. But watching her now, calm and competent, made me realize how much

am still a mother of two, despite

walked in, his presence a quiet calm amidst

“Carl!”

didn’t hesitate. I ran straight to him, throwing my arms around him and pressing

his voice soft.

unwilling to let go. “I don’t care. I missed you. It’s been one day.

“I did.”

apart, so many near–misses. But right now, in this moment, all I wanted was to hold

love, I lovecompletely. I holdnothingback. I tellthemhowmuchtheymeantome, howoftentheyfillmythoughts.

that I cannolongervoicemyfeelings, regretwilltakeitsplace.

I’veseentoomanyregrets.

grow old with his first

both fell off a cliff, and she never got the chance to