"I will, Grandma, I promise," Gordon nodded with solemn gravity.

Hannah then turned her gaze to Stuart Gonzales. "Stuart, you and Carey, too. My Carey has suffered for over twenty years. I want the rest of her life to be as sweet as honey."

"Of course, Mom."

Hannah then looked toward Warren Richards and Jade Sinclair. "Warren, Jade."

"We're here, Mom," the couple said, immediately stepping forward.

Hannah grasped their hands. "Warren, Jade... They say the eldest brother steps in as a father. When I'm gone, you must take on that responsibility. Take good care of your younger siblings."

Warren nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Mom. I will shoulder the duties of an older brother."

"I will too," Jade added. "Mom, rest assured. Warren and I will never let the Richards family fall apart. No matter what happens, whenever our brothers and sisters come back, this will always be their home."

A smile of contentment spread across Hannah's face.

"Jade, you're a good child. I've always trusted you."

With that, Hannah looked at her other children. "My children, all of you, come here."

They immediately gathered around her bed.

Hannah's eyes, filled with a deep reluctance to leave, moved from one son and daughter-in-law to the next. "After I'm gone, you must all get along. The greatest joy of my life was having eight such wonderful children."

"No matter what, you are all my pride and joy..."

As she spoke, an overwhelming exhaustion began to settle over her. She knew her time was coming.

"Warren!" Hannah called out.

"What is it, Mom?" Warren rushed to her side.

Hannah summoned her last bit of strength to give one final instruction. "Quickly, take Kinny, Kincaid, March, Jasper, Silas, and Gemma away from here. I... I'm going. The last breath..... it mustn't be inhaled by the children. It's not good for them."

Although Celeste Hayes wasn't a child, she was five months pregnant.

It was an old belief that a person's final breath could affect not

young children but also th

Though her body was failing, Hannah's mind was still sharp.

With a lump in his throat, Warren immediately had the children taken from the room.

Celeste refused to leave. "Grandma, I don't believe in those old tales. I want to stay with you."

"Go, quickly," Hannah urged, her voice strained. "Don't... don't let me leave with regrets!"

Two maids had to gently pull a weeping Celeste away.

Seeing that all the children, and Celeste, kad left the room, Hannah finally relaxed. She at her looke thirteen grandchildren grandchildren Sebastian, Jillian, remember to take care of your younger cousins..."

"We will, Grandma. Jillian and I will never forget what you've taught us."

Hannah's gaze slowly moved across every person in the room.

Good. They were all here.

Her children and grandchildren. Not a single one was missing.

Her life, though it had its hardships, was complete.

As she looked at them, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, until they slowly closed.

The room fell into a sudden, profound silence.

Warren reached out and felt for Hannah's breath. Finding none, he gripped her hand, fighting back

immense grief as he cried out, "Mom! We're sending you home!

Walk toward the light, and may you rest in peace in heaven!"

"Mom! We're sending you home! Walk toward the light, and may you rest in peace in heaven!"

"Mom! We're sending you home! Walk toward the light, and may you rest in peace in heaven!",