Chapter 9
Sean was the last to find out about my death.
He had been drinking heavily every day since Henry was sentenced to death.
When Lucas’s servant came to inform him, Sean was sprawled on the floor surrounded by empty bottles.
“Mr. Young, I have some bad news. Miss Zoe has passed away.”
Sean’s bloodshot eyes snapped open. He grabbed the servant’s collar.
“What did you say? Say it again!”
The servant repeated the news, his voice shaking.
Sean stumbled to his feet, swaying dangerously.
“Take me to her. Now!”
By the time Sean arrived, my body had already been cremated.
Quinn stood guard over my ashes, her eyes red and swollen.
When she saw Sean, her expression twisted with rage. She lunged at him, pummeling his chest.
“You killed her! You monsters killed Zoe!”
Sean didn’t dodge. He let Quinn hit him, tears streaming down his face.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
Quinn’s fists gradually slowed. She sank to her knees, sobbing.
“Do you know? She never blamed you guys. Even at the end…”
Quinn’s words hit Sean like a physical blow. He staggered backwards.
“She said… she said she would still take you in if she could go back in time.”
Sean’s legs gave out. He collapsed to the ground, howling in anguish.
The next day, Sean went to visit Henry on death row.
Henry had lost a lot of weight. His eyes were dull until he saw Sean.
“How’s Zoe?” Henry asked urgently.
Sean’s silence told Henry everything.
Henry slumped against the wall, sliding to the floor.
“So we really killed her in the end”
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11:23 AM
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“So we really killed her in the end.”
Sean knelt before the bars, gripping them tightly.
“Brother, what should we do now?”
Henry was quiet for a long time before he spoke:
“Live on. Live the life Zoe wanted for us.”
“That’s our punishment.”
Sean nodded, tears falling.
As he was leaving, Henry called out:
“Sean, take care of yourself. Don’t… don’t follow us.”
Sean paused, then walked away without looking back.
He kept his promise to Henry. He didn’t take his own life.
Instead, Sean dedicated himself to charity work.
He established a foundation in my name to help orphans and underprivileged children.
Every year on my birthday, he would visit my grave with flowers.
“Zoe, I’m trying to live a meaningful life like you wanted.”
“I hope… i hope you can forgive us someday.”
As Sean aged, his hair turned gray. But he never stopped his charity work.
One day, an old woman came to thank Sean for helping her grandson.
“Young man, you’ve done so much good. I’m sure your parents would be proud.”
Sean smiled wryly.
“I’m not a good person. I’m just trying to atone.”
The old woman patted his hand.
“The fact that you’re trying to make amends shows you have a good heart. I’m sure you’ve been forgiven long ago!”
Sean’s eyes welled up with tears.
That night, he dreamt of me.
In the dream, I was smiling at him just like when he was a child.
I reached out my hand:
“Sean, let’s go home.”
Sean took my hand without hesitation.
The next morning, Sean was found to have passed away in his sleep.
He had a peaceful smile on his face.
Perhaps in death. he had finally found the forgiveness be sought in life
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Perhaps in death, he had finally found the forgiveness he sought in life.
And so, the story of the three boys I raised came to an end.
Was it fate that brought us together? Or just a cruel twist of destiny?
I’ll never know the answer.
But I do know that even after everything, I never regretted taking them in that rainy night so many years ago.
Because for a time, we were truly happy.
And in the end, that’s all that matters.
