“Wait, what about the ashes?”
Declan looked dismissive:
“Whatever, as fertilizer or scattered, it doesn’t matter.”
I watched as the last trace of myself in this world was swept up by the staff with a broom.
I forced a resigned smile.
What I wanted was always simple.
To have a child with the one I love and spend a lifetime together.
But in the end, I was all alone.
My soul followed Declan back home.
24
When we returned to the villa, the butler was holding a small yellow dog that looked just like Buddy.
<
He looked behind Declan and asked with a smile:
“Sir, weren’t you picking up your wife? Where is she? Is she still refusing to come home?”
Declan froze instantly, his eyelashes trembling.
He opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.
I was also stunned.
This little dog really looked like Buddy.
The difference was, if Buddy saw Declan, he would break free from the butler’s arms at all costs.
Then he would jump into Declan’s arms, wanting Declan to pet his little head.
The butler, seeing Declan’s silence, tentatively asked:
“Sir, did something happen?”
Lydia clenched her back teeth, cutting in:
“Nora indeed doesn’t want to come back, she’s hiding. But Declan has sent many people to find her. I’m sure they’ll find her soon.”
After speaking, she carried the child, trying to enter the villa as if she belonged.
The little dog in the butler’s arms started barking.
Lydia’s eyes flashed with malice, turning to Declan with grievance:
“Declan, look?”
She thought Declan would indulge her like last time.
But this time, Declan said calmly:
“Forget it, Lydia, you shouldn’t stay with us. If the dog bites you or the little one again, it won’t be worth it.”
Lydia was dumbfounded.
Declan didn’t give her a chance to stay, telling the driver:
“Take Miss Lydia and the child home.”
With that, Lydia had no choice but to leave with a resentful look.
Declan’s gaze fell slightly on the little dog, and he instinctively reached out his hand.
The little dog looked at him innocently, letting him pet it.
But as his fingers were about to touch the dog’s forehead, Declan withdrew his hand for some reason.
He pressed his lips together and said:
“Uncle John, please take care of Buddy for me…
That night, Declan couldn’t sleep.
He tossed and turned, eventually calling Quentin:
“Did you issue a warrant to find Nora?”
Quentin was puzzled but affirmed:
PR
<
.
Previous procedures referred to Declan’s method of collecting debts from companies.
Declan rubbed his forehead, inexplicably shouting:
“Can it be the same! The people who chase bounties don’t care, they often hurt people.”
“Withdraw the warrant, don’t pursue Nora. What if someone hurts her for money?”
“Change it to a missing person notice, offer a hundred thousand–no, a million dollars for finding her, but she must not be harmed.”
His words were rapid and fluent, as if he had been thinking this all along.
I knew Declan still had feelings for me, perhaps hoping for reconciliation.
But I’m already dead, no matter how he tries to make amends, it’s too late.
Quentin heard the implication in Declan’s words, paused for a moment, then replied:
“Okay, Mr. Declan, I’ll take care of it.”
After doing all this, Declan still felt uneasy.
He went to Buddy’s kennel, calling out repeatedly:
“Buddy, Buddy…”
The little dog didn’t understand it was his name, simply looking at Declan curiously.
Declan finally petted the little dog’s head, smiling:
“It’s okay, I can teach you slowly.”
Just then, Lydia called, crying:
“Declan, something’s wrong, the child has a rash and a high fever, what should I do?”
Declan stopped grieving, dressed, and rushed to the hospital.
As he was about to reach the ward, two doctors passing by were chatting about gossip:
“Last year, I did the only artificial heart surgery. The patient hasn’t come for medication for eight months. Maybe something happened. It seems artificial heart technology isn’t mature yet!”
