Chapter 461: Let's End Here

I had finally returned to my hometown. The trip to Jaford hadn't taken long—barely a month. A lot had happened in that time. When I got back to Snowville, it felt like a completely different world. Snowville had just transitioned from the long winter into the warmth of spring. The streets were lined with cherry blossoms, their vibrant pink petals in full bloom. As the wind blew, the petals danced through the air, creating a soft, romantic atmosphere in the city.

Carter was driving, slowing the car as I rolled down the window to soak in the gentle sunlight. It felt like the sadness and bloodshed I’d experienced were being washed away by the cherry blossoms' soft rain.

Carter had come with me to the Sander residence, where the Sanders had arrived a day before. When I got there, Whitney was sitting under the swing in the yard, deep in thought. The house had been renovated, but the main structure was still the same. I walked up behind Whitney and asked, “Do you remember this place?”

She nodded. “I don’t recall much from before I was three, but I remember this yard. You used to push me on the swing, and our brothers would fly kites with me. Jake was always so naughty, climbing the cherry tree to shower me with petals. One time, the branch broke, and he fell. He had to wear a cast for three months.”

Whitney smiled through her tears. “These memories have kept me going. I wanted to hold on to them, but as time passed, I started forgetting. I couldn’t even remember your faces anymore. The only thing that stayed with me was this yard, the swing, and the tree. They appeared in my dreams countless times. Now that I’m back, it feels like those 20 years were just a dream.”

I pulled her onto the swing. “Let me push you again.”

“Okay.”

The sky was clear, and the spring breeze gently brushed through Whitney’s hair. Still, the sadness in her eyes remained, and her white skirt fluttered in the wind, reminiscent of when she was a carefree child. But that child would never return.

I came back to say my final goodbye to Grandma. Since the Sanders were worried about Dominic finding out, they didn’t have a funeral for her. Instead, they quietly moved her to the family tomb. When they heard I was coming, the Sanders prepared a big dinner. It was also the first time I returned as Chloe since my rebirth.

I went back to my room, which held so many memories of Luke and me. The room felt unchanged, as if frozen in the moment when I loved Luke the most. Our photo sat on the desk, from a time when I was young and smiling beside him. It had only been six months, yet I had nearly forgotten him. If it weren’t for the things about him I’d left behind, I might not have realized how deeply I cared for him back then. Whitney was flipping through my old photo album, learning about my past.

Kate stood by the door, looking more composed than she had on the island, but I could tell she could never go back to being the carefree person she used to be. She glanced at me cautiously. “Chloe, your dad and I… we’ve decided to sell this house.”

I was surprised. “Really? Are you sure you want to let it go?”

“While we still have some savings, the profits from the Sander Group are decent. Selling it will give us enough money to avoid being ruined by the Carlyns in the future. Greg never liked being in business, and we’re not forcing him. He can do whatever he chooses. Your dad and I bought a piece of land in the countryside. We plan to retire there as a simple couple. The doctor says your dad can get a prosthetic for his leg, so he won’t limp anymore. As for Anna…”

Kate paused before continuing. “Her situation is unique. Whether she wants to join us in the countryside or chase her dreams, we’ll support her. With you in Snowville, we’ll be at peace.”

I understood their decision, especially since Dominic still didn’t know Josh was alive. But the one thing I wasn’t ready to part with was this house.

“This house was Grandma’s life’s work,” I said softly.

“But this place is filled with too many memories. Every time I come here, it reminds me of how you all were as kids. You were naughty but so full of joy back then. Now, even though we’re still alive, we’re burdened with so much pain.”

Kate’s tears flowed. “We can’t stay here anymore. It’s better to leave the past behind completely.”

Whitney wrapped her arms around her. “Mom.”

Kate turned to me, her eyes glistening with tears, and I glanced at the clock. “It’s late. Let’s go lay Grandma to rest.”

“Chloe, I prepared your favorite dishes today,” Kate said gently. “It’s my way of fulfilling a wish. Let’s have one last family reunion dinner together.”

“We’ve all fallen apart,” I replied. “There’s no family to reunite anymore.”

Whitney tugged at my sleeve, her voice soft. “Chloe, it’s just one meal. Dad and Mom will leave soon. They won’t bother you again.”

Not wanting to make things harder for her, I gave in. “Fine, stop crying. I’ll eat.”

At the dining table, Whitney glanced at the empty chairs. A mix of loneliness and faint comfort flickered across her face. The absence of Grandma and others who had passed was painfully obvious. With her eyes brimming with tears, Kate said, “We’re finally all here for a family dinner.”

Josh sat quietly, more subdued than usual. Kate placed fish on Ethan’s empty plate and shrimp on Jake’s, as if they were still sitting there. She hadn’t forgotten their favorite foods. When she got to me, she added barbecue ribs to my plate. Her hands trembled, and her eyes were swollen from crying, but I didn’t push the food away.

“Chloe, it’s been so long since you’ve had my barbecue ribs,” she said softly.

I looked at the plate and replied, “Thank you.”

Relieved that I didn’t refuse, she served a piece to Carter next.

“Carter, eat some. I’m counting on you to take care of Chloe,” she said.

“Of course,” he answered, his tone polite but distant.

Turning to Whitney, Kate added some vegetables to her plate and said with concern, “You’re so thin, sweetheart. Vegetables aren’t enough. You need to eat some meat too.”

Whitney nodded. “Okay, Mom.”

By the time we finished eating, it was already dark. We made our way to the Sanders’ burial site, where Grandma’s grave was already prepared. I got on my knee by the grave and began to bury her myself.

“I’m sorry, Grandma,” I whispered. “This is as far as I can go with you.”

She had always wanted to see me get married. But in the end, that wish was left unfulfilled. Life was full of regrets.

After bidding farewell to Grandma, Kate took my hand. I looked at her hand until she slowly released it.

“I just wanted to ask,” she began hesitantly. “The Sander residence and Grandma’s house are going to be sold. What about your belongings?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want them. Do whatever you think is best.”

“Chloe…”

“This is the end of everything between me and the Sanders,” I said firmly.