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Chapter 10

Author: E. L. Knox
Time seemed to fly, and before long, it had been a month since Kathleen's passing.

Bowen visited Kathleen's grave every single day. He always brought Candice, though the little girl was always reluctant.

"Daddy, why do we have to come here?" Candice asked, kicking at pebbles.

"Because someone who loves you is resting here," Bowen answered gently.

Candice pouted. "But she never played with me. Mommy Yvonne said the people who love me would always stay and play with me."

Bowen's heart shattered all over again. He had no idea how to explain to a five-year-old that the one who stayed was a liar and the one who did not play with her was a mother who had loved her with every breath.

Yvonne was sentenced to life in prison. Even in court, she insisted Kathleen had framed her. Yet, the evidence was overwhelming—no one believed her words.

Kathleen's parents sold their home and moved to Flurotia. They said everything in New Aeravale reminded them too much of the daughter they lost. Before
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  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 12

    As evening approached, a young woman came to the grave."Hello, can I help you?" Candice looked at her with confusion.The woman's eyes were brimming with tears. "I'm Tracy Summers, a pancreatic cancer patient. Five years ago, the Kathleen Sullivan Cancer Foundation saved my life. I came here today to thank her.""I'm sure she can hear you," Candice said softly.Tracy laid her bouquet down and bowed deeply. "Ms. Sullivan, thank you. Because of you, I'm alive today and can watch my children grow up."Candice had witnessed scenes like this countless times. Every person who the foundation had helped remembered Kathleen's name. What her mother had exchanged her life for was not just her family's regret but a new life for countless others.As night fell, Candice finally rose to her feet, ready to leave. She glanced at the headstone one last time and said, "Mom, you once asked if we'd remember you. The answer is—every single day and moment for the rest of our lives."On her way home,

  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 11

    In the blink of an eye, 20 years had passed.Candice stood by the gallery's floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the busy streets of New Aeravale. She had inherited Kathleen's beauty and her natural gift for business. At 25, she was already a rising star in the art world."Candice, it's time for the interview," her assistant said, reminding her.It was a feature for the Moments magazine—A Legacy Reborn: The Art Empire of Kathleen Sullivan's Daughter.The journalist asked, "Candice, many people say you're just like your mother. What do you think?"Candice paused for a moment. "I'll never be her.""Why do you say that?""Because she taught the world what real love was in 29 years, yet it took me 18 just to understand regret."The journalist, clearly familiar with the family's past, did not push any further.After the interview, Candice drove to the cemetery. It was the anniversary of Kathleen's death, and just like every year, she came without fail.The grave was surrounded by f

  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 10

    Time seemed to fly, and before long, it had been a month since Kathleen's passing.Bowen visited Kathleen's grave every single day. He always brought Candice, though the little girl was always reluctant."Daddy, why do we have to come here?" Candice asked, kicking at pebbles."Because someone who loves you is resting here," Bowen answered gently.Candice pouted. "But she never played with me. Mommy Yvonne said the people who love me would always stay and play with me."Bowen's heart shattered all over again. He had no idea how to explain to a five-year-old that the one who stayed was a liar and the one who did not play with her was a mother who had loved her with every breath.Yvonne was sentenced to life in prison. Even in court, she insisted Kathleen had framed her. Yet, the evidence was overwhelming—no one believed her words.Kathleen's parents sold their home and moved to Flurotia. They said everything in New Aeravale reminded them too much of the daughter they lost. Before

  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 9

    After Yvonne was taken away, the Sullivan residence fell into a suffocating silence.Bowen sat beside Kathleen's body like a man stripped of his soul. His phone kept ringing—calls from board members, business partners, and news reporters. Everyone was desperate to know what had happened. However, he did not answer a single one.Annie softly said, "Mr. Liddell, the funeral home staff is here."Bowen jolted upright. "No! Don't take her away!"Nonetheless, he knew there was no stopping it. Kathleen was gone for good.Downstairs, Kathleen's parents were still going through the evidence. Each document and recording felt like a blade slicing into their hearts."This date..." Jolene pointed at one of the medical forms, her voice trembling. "It says Kathleen was diagnosed with cancer last Christmas.""But she never told us," David muttered, sounding like he had aged ten years.Annie walked over quietly. "That day, Yvonne had a sudden health scare. You were all at the hospital with her.

  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 8

    As Bowen read the letter, his hands trembled violently with each word. The letter detailed Kathleen's condition, choices, and emotional journey during her final three days.Jolene broke down halfway through reading, screaming, "Kathleen... My poor daughter!"At that moment, Annie turned on the TV and inserted a USB drive. "This is what Mrs. Liddell asked me to play today."The surveillance footage clearly showed everything that had happened at the hospital three days ago. Bowen had given Yvonne the treatment opportunity without hesitation, never even asking for Kathleen's opinion.What followed was a recording—a conversation between Yvonne and her lover, Alfred Jacobs. Every word cut through everyone's hearts like a knife."Everything's going smoothly. Kathleen's about to die.""After pretending to be sick all these years, she never suspected a thing..."The living room fell into deathly silence."No! That's fake!" Yvonne screamed hysterically.However, no one paid attention t

  • Becoming Perfect Before the End   Chapter 7

    In the car, Jolene kept dialing Kathleen's number. Looking anxiously at David, she said, "It's still turned off. Kathleen never goes this long without answering her phone.""Don't panic yet. Let me call Bowen," David said while driving.The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up."David?" Bowen's voice sounded strange—low and exhausted."Bowen, is Kathleen with you?" David asked urgently. "Her phone is off, and we can't find her. Mr. Foreman said she transferred all her assets to Yve. We're worried she might..."There was silence on the other end for several seconds. Finally, Bowen asked, "David, Jolene, w—where are you right now?"Jolene grabbed the phone. "We're on our way to your house. Bowen, is Kathleen there? Is she okay?""You should come quickly." Bowen's voice dropped even lower.Jolene's heart was pounding. "What's going on? Did something happen to Kathleen? Say something!""Jolene, y—you'll understand when you get here. Drive safely."The phone went de

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