When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 362

She knew Elise wanted nothing more than to hear her call her “Mom” one last time.

Dorothea hesitated. She could feel the word forming on her lips, but before she could say anything, the monitor above Elise’s bed flatlined. The sharp, endless tone filled the room.

“Mom…” she whispered.

But it was too late. Elise never got to hear it.

Dorothea’s knees wobbled, her whole body threatened to give out. Latham stepped in, steady hands gripping her shoulders.

“Dorothea, you’re still carrying,” he reminded her softly. “I’m so sorry.”

Pauline let out a long sigh. “At least you were there at the end. You did what you could. Don’t beat yourself up, Dorothea. Take care of yourself first.”

Was there any regret left?

She asked herself quietly. Strangely, there wasn’t.

She could still remember when she was five, clutching her grandpa’s old phone and struggling to send her very first text. It was to Elise.

Mom, will you come home and see me today?

But texts like that always seemed to disappear, swallowed up by silence.

Back then, she never understood why her mother wouldn’t write back. It wasn’t until years later she finally realized: her mom was never coming home.

That was the end for both of them, stuck at this final, awkward moment, with no way to go back.

……

Latham took care of the funeral arrangements from start to finish.

Dorothea stopped by the wake to pay respects. But she was pregnant, and both Latham and Ladd gently convinced her to return home and rest.

Even her grandmother didn’t want her to stay for the overnight vigil. So Latham ended up keeping watch.

He made sure to notify the Carters.

None of them came. Not a single person from the Carter family bothered to show up at the funeral.

“That’s none of your business. If my wife is spoiled or a little stubborn, that’s because I like spoiling her. And I intend to keep doing it.”

“And as for who’s falling from where, maybe you should worry about yourself. I’ve never met a father who skips his own daughter’s funeral. Think about it. Do you ever wonder if your daughter will come find you tonight?”

“You…” Aiken was shaking, absolutely furious.

What kind of talk was that? Was Latham cursing him?

Alfonso looked spooked. He hadn’t even wanted to come. It was his dad who insisted on stirring up trouble.

“Let’s just go, Dad.” He dragged Aiken away but had to have the last word. “We’re the reasonable ones in our family. You’d better watch out for Walton. He’s not nearly as nice. And if he comes for you, don’t you dare put the blame on me.”

Latham’s face tightened instantly.

He’d almost forgotten about Walton.

That guy had disappeared without a word lately. And that could only mean trouble.