Chapter 198: Ashes in the Bead Bracelet

Luke's eyes were red, and he choked out, "Chloe, was everything in the journal true?"

I stared directly into his eyes. Things had reached this point, so I spoke the truth. "At this point, do you still think I'm lying about Anna?"

Luke shook his head vigorously. "No, that's not what I meant. I'm just very sorry about everything you suffered in the past. I..."

I smiled coldly. "Suffered? Could that be worse than the way I died? Luke, what were you doing when I called you for help before I died?"

Luke seemed to remember, his face paling, but he said nothing. After all, he had no idea I had seen everything as a ghost. Without hesitation, I exposed everything. "As I was dying, I saw fireworks going off in the sky. Those fireworks were meant for our wedding, but instead, you used them to please Anna. Guess what I saw amongst the dazzling fireworks?"

Luke felt increasingly guilty. I approached him, almost like the Grim Reaper. "I saw the two of you kissing under the fireworks. Meanwhile, I was alone, stabbed through my abdomen as I lay by the water, helpless and bleeding. I asked you to save me, and what did you say? Oh, right, you asked me to die so Anna wouldn't be upset. Were you happy that I died?"

Every word stabbed into Luke's heart. There was too much information for him to absorb at once. He could only stare, unable to make excuses. When he finally spoke, he said, "Chloe, I'm sorry. I really didn't know, so..."

I didn't let him finish. "So that's why you ended up in bed with Anna on our wedding night? That's why Anna was in my nightgown, sleeping with my husband, in my bed, right?"

Luke's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know every single detail?"

"Why? Because the moment I lost consciousness, my spirit has been by your side, watching you. Luke, do you know what was running through my mind that month? I thought my death would help you find your conscience and understand what kind of woman Anna really is. But all of you were wrapped around her finger, and no one was even willing to search for my body. You wasted an entire month. Even after someone made a police report, none of you wanted to investigate further, even asking the police to give up the search. That's why they had an entire month to get rid of my body!"

Luke's attention focused on the fact that I had been a spirit. "You mean you were with me for an entire month as a ghost?"

I laughed coldly. "That's right. I witnessed how you and Anna flirted, what positions you were in, and how all your promises of love to me were empty words. If I were you, I would have made a proper decision. Instead, you enjoyed the pleasure Anna gave you while playing the devoted lover with me. Isn't that tiring?"

Luke shook his head. "No, Chloe, that's not it. I was bewitched..."

"Luke Bolton, look at yourself. You were like this before, when there was trouble at the company. Back then, I took the blame for you. You're like a child who will never grow up. You never admit your mistakes and keep looking for someone else to blame. Would it kill you to admit you were wrong? It takes two hands to clap. If you didn't want to, Anna couldn't have forced herself on you. Or did you forget what you and Anna did under my statue?"

"Chloe, I'm sorry. I was really angry at that time. Was Anna the one who killed you?" Luke asked.

I let out a cold laugh. "She didn't do it personally. She arranged for it. Luke, why do you think I died? All of you pushed me to that point. All of you encouraged Anna, allowing her to think she could take action when the time was right to take my place."

Luke recalled what had happened a short time ago when Anna had wanted a title, contrary to her promises.

"That bitch! Chloe, I will help you take revenge! Even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will—"

Without waiting for him to finish, I slapped him across the face. "You idiot! If I wanted to kill her, I would have already paid someone off to do it. Did you think I'd be unwilling to do so?"

"Anna's goal is not just to kill me, but she also has interests in both the Boltons and the Sanders. She has a massive hidden chain of interests. What she has shown so far is just the tip of the iceberg. There might be a huge monster hidden beneath the surface. Killing her will merely destroy all the evidence. I want to bring her to justice and expose the mastermind behind everything!"

I stared at Luke coldly. "Carter and I have been investigating this all along. You didn't report this to the police, so we missed the most crucial time for the police investigation. That's why, even though we know Anna is involved, we can't find any evidence! Meanwhile, you were stuck in your feelings of love, going through each day in a daze. Maybe one day you'll become like me as well, once Anna takes everything she wants from you."

I licked my lips. "Haven't you ever wondered why you have stomach cancer and kidney failure at such a young age? I was helping you manage your stomach issues, and within a year it developed into stomach cancer? Do you think it's that simple?"

The more I spoke, the more agitated I became. Luke felt a chill run down his spine.

"It was her!" Luke spat, gritting his teeth in anger.

"Luke, I may hate you, but Anna is involved in my death, as well as whatever is happening with the Boltons. If you don't find out the truth, who knows what else she has planned? Don't act impulsively. Carter is already investigating this matter."

Luke spoke bitterly, "Carter? How affectionate."

"Of course. He's my husband."

Luke's eyes turned red again. "Didn't I marry you first?"

My lips curled into a smile. "Are you referring to the wedding planned based on Anna's preferences, right down to my wedding dress? Or the wedding where you ran off during the exchanging of rings? Luke, in my last life, you let me down. How dare you say these things to me now?"

"Chloe, whether you believe it or not, you are the love of my life. I—"

I cut him off. "Luke Bolton, all along, the only person you love is yourself. No one knows this better than me. I'm not telling you all this because of nostalgia. I need an ally. Currently, you are the only person who knows of my rebirth. I'm telling you the truth because she isn't on guard against you since she is still interested in you."

Luke frowned. "What do you mean?"

I took a step forward and reached out to grasp his chin. "Actually, you do indeed have some charm. I can tell that even though Anna wants to use you, she does indeed have some feelings for you. You need to seduce her and get close to her so that we can find more evidence. You are her doorway to the Boltons. I need you to lure her in so we can bring her to justice!"

"Chloe! I'm your husband!"

"That was a long time ago. You just need to tell me if you're willing to do this or not."

I knew Luke would agree. It wasn't just for my revenge, it was also for his own. The safety of the Boltons was also in question. Since he had hurt me before, this time he would do everything he could to help.

Luke hesitated, then answered, "I'm in." He opened his eyes; pain was evident. "But you and Uncle Carter..."

I spoke each word slowly. "He is my husband. He's much better than you, and I have no intention of leaving him."

Luke sank to the ground. "I knew it..."

Seeing his despair, I bent forward. "As a token of our partnership, I'll tell you something."

"What is it?"

"My ashes were in the bead bracelet you used to wear. That's why it broke after my statue was taken down. It's a sign of my disappearance from this world."

Luke's eyes shook. "You mean I've been carrying your ashes all this time?"

"Yes."

Luke let out a mournful cry. I didn't turn to look at him, even as his world seemed to crash around him. This was more than enough information for him to process today.

Anna Sander, I will make the man you love most in the world stab you in the back at the most critical moment!

As I drove away, Luke was still sitting on the ground where I had left him, still as a statue. You should have known better. There's no cure for regret. Whatever path you have chosen, you have to forge ahead, no matter how difficult or bright the future is. Never look back!