Chapter 4

Linda said, "I know why David ended his life, and I know what Ivy''s final message was. I''m the only one who can answer your questions."

She smoothed her hair and smiled.

Our family had lost three people in a row. The police treated the case seriously.

Countless reporters covered our story, drawing nationwide attention.

People everywhere were curious about the last message Ivy left behind and how it led Martha and David to take their own lives.

They crowded outside our home, hoping to interview Linda. However, she stayed inside, refusing to come out. She spent every day holding our family photo, sitting there hour after hour.

Seven days after David died, the police retrieved his body from the river.

It was disfigured from soaking in the water. Strangely, though, the smile on his face looked exactly like the smiles Martha and Ivy had when they died.

The police thought it was bizarre. Drowning was supposed to be painful, so the body would normally show signs of agony.

How could his final expression be a smile?

When Linda saw David''s body, she finally shed tears.

She wiped her eyes and then started laughing uncontrollably.

Facing the reporters, Linda finally spoke. She sounded tired, but her tone was firm.

"Our family''s situation has drawn everyone''s interest. Many people have reached out to me, trying to find out what Ivy''s last words were that drove her grandmother and father to end their own lives. I believe it is not the right time to reveal the truth."

Right there, Linda made an announcement in front of all the reporters. She said she would reveal Ivy''s final message one year later.

Everyone was confused, but they decided to wait.

During that year, I took leave from school and stayed by my mother''s side. I was afraid she might do what my father and grandmother did.

However, I was overthinking. That year, she was strong.

She went to work, cooked meals, went shopping, and even signed up for a flower arrangement class. She showed no sign of grief.

Over time, fewer people talked about our family. The attention died down, and life seemed to return to normal.

However, I knew this story was far from over.

Besides those things, Linda developed a habit of writing in a journal.

She never let me read it and hid it carefully.

Seeing this, I didn''t push her.

A year passed quickly.

Linda booked a banquet hall to fulfill her promise to reveal Ivy''s final message.

Once the hall was packed with people, Linda cleared her throat and began to speak. "Fiona, come here."

I felt confused but walked to her side anyway.

Linda looked at me gently and patted my hair. Then, she gripped my hand tightly.

"Fiona, I know you''re a good kid. Now, I''ll tell you what Ivy''s last words really were."

She raised her head slightly and leaned toward my ear. In a soft voice, she said that sentence...