*cries like a baby* Wow, screenshotting this chapter was so incredibly difficult for me (both emotionally and technically, too – TS4 does not make it easy to portray declining health… but I guess it wasn’t MEANT to, huh?).
Mel is a character who’s always been close to my heart (even before we saw her or read about her, and she just existed in my head!). She’s a strong, intelligent, and compassionate human being who never let the hardships she’s had to endure in her life change who she is – except maybe a bit for the better. Finding the “perfect” life partner for Lucas was a challenge, but I think Mel really was it.
This has always been Lucas and Evelyn’s story of course… But Lucas’ story would not be complete without Mel in his life, so she really is a very special character to me and it was SO hard to have to say goodbye! I cried quite a bit while taking these pictures, and putting the screenshots together for today’s chapter made me cry even more! I apologize for how depressing it all turned out to be — but I really wanted to convey how absolutely devastating this loss was for Lucas (poor guy… I’m always so cruel to him!)
So goodbye to the beautiful (both inside and out!) Melanie Ainsworth – thank you for being such a wonderful and important part of this story, and for giving Lucas a beautiful daughter and an amazing life. *weeps*
Thank you and also sorry! Hahaha I felt kind of bad making this one so depressing, but it felt right, because Mel was such a major character and her loss impacts Lucas so much. Thanks for commenting and sorry for any heartache you may have endured haha
;( ;(
I knew this was coming but still…this chapter just broke my heart.
Major hugs for you – if I feel like this after reading this, I can’t imagine what it’s like to write about your own beloved characters.
And hugs to Lucas and the rest of the family as well.
Goodbye, Mel.
So sad, but so very well done! Definitely got a bit misty there! I really love how you did the black and white memories getting darker and darker until fading into darkness, wow, amazing. I also really appreciate that the last shot of Mel when she was dying was her smiling face. Poor Lucas! It’s good he has Evelyn, though I don’t know if he’d want to see her now, she might be too painful of a reminder, with her being dead and all. It would probably make more sense for him to turn to his family, as in Krysti and her family.
The insightful commenter strikes again! Haha I kind of included that shot of Lucas walking by Evelyn without talking to her as an indicator of what you said — he doesn’t really want to see her (at least for now) because not only on dead, but more importantly, she’s still there as a ghost. But Mel isn’t. He would give anything to be able to see Mel and talk to her. Ev kind of reminds him of the fact that she ISN’T 😦
That’s not to say he’s gonna ignore Ev forever or anything, but he needs a little time. Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you enjoyed this one!
Oh my gosh. So beautiful. It was amazing the way you had his memories fade darker and darker until they were black. I am very impressed with this chapter!
That was so good! I’m usually a stony hearted reader, so the fact that this made me sad is a sign that you’ve done it fabulously. I loved the darkening memories, and just seeing back to when they first met and everything made me sad, but at the same time confirmed the fact that Mel has lived a full and good life, and that she has no reason to hang around really. I hope Lucas uses this as momentum to find what Ev needs, I’m getting nervous that he’s running out of time D:
Thank you! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it and that you found it moving. And as for what Lucas will do now… Well, I can’t say haha but you will see! Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely and thoughtful comment 🙂
This is beautifully tragic. Your screenshots spoke volumes, especially the part where Mel’s life flashed before her eyes before she passed. Thank you for crafting such a wonderful tribute to her strength in her last few days. *huge hugs for you, Lucas, and the Rosebrook-Ainsworths* She was such an amazing woman.
Wow. You’ve done it. There are tears! Congrats lol. As sad as this was, it was so beautiful! And the fading memories…ugh! So slick. It was all over then lol. Very nice!
Hahaha that’s the happiest “you made me cry” comment I think I’ve ever gotten 😛 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This was a very difficult chapter (for more than one reason, like I said haha) but I feel proud of how it came out too 🙂 So thank you!
Darn, I made it past the last two without crying but these silent ones really get me. 😦
Mel really illustrates the heartbreaking beauty that’s only possible with mortality, both in their love and just in her as a person. This was a nice tribute to her. 🙂
Thank you so much! And thank you for commenting! I always love hearing from some ‘silent’ readers every now and then. Your comment made me so happy. Thanks for checking out my story 🙂
I’m on the “fading memories were the best” band wagon. It was subtle enough to start and then…bam, blackness. Quite shocking even as you suspect it. And I think you did declining health well. I’m impressed by how well you managed with sim limitations.
This made me tear up a little. So good job! I like stories that can make me cry when appropriate. Again, the screenshots worked really well. I especially liked Mel’s memories fading to black.
*Continue with tears* It’s hard to say goodbye to Mel! She was a beautiful and happy woman to be around. I love how you do the flashbacks in black and white and then the transition to pitch black. I send hugs to Lucas and the rest of the family. 😥
Thank you! This was incredibly difficult for me. I loved Mel so much! I’m glad you liked the fading to black. I was happy with how that part came out (underneath all my sadness!) 😦
Thank you! But I’m also sorry for making you cry. This was one of the most emotionally challenging chapters for me to put together, but it’s also one of my favorites too.
Wow, this must have been so hard for you to do. The flashbacks fading darker and darker was a stroke of genius. As I was following along, I was doing that leg-bouncy thing that some people do without really noticing it, but as I realized the images were getting darker and where it was headed, my leg stopped bouncing–it was like, I had to, out of respect or something ha. Beautifully, beautifully done.
Thank you so much! This was most definitely one of the hardest chapters for me. It was really painful, because I loved Mel so much, and also felt horrible for putting Lucas and Krysti through all that pain too 😦 I’m glad you liked the fading to black. It worked out well, I think. And sad as it was, this is actually one of my favorite chapters. Thank you!!!
You just brought tears to my eyes. It is true what they say about a picture meaning kore than 1000 words!
Loved the way you put together Melanie’s memories like her life flashing through her eyes and fading away at the end. Also loved the reverse memories for Lucas.
You truly are a great writer even when you don’t write anything at all!
So, I was scrolling down and I kept thinking the pictures were getting darker. I kept going getting a little annoyed because I couldn’t see them as well. For a moment, I thought, “did her PS fall apart or something?” Then, I realized what you did. So brilliant. Truly. You should seriously just write books. You’re such a master at this writing and screenshot thing. We’re all taking notes from you.
This was a sad chapter, but surprisingly, I didn’t cry. I knew it was coming, I guess. Plus, I’m not really that emotional, at least right now, which is surprising since it’s 2:30 am.
Anyway, I don’t want to take away from this beautiful, sad chapter. You’ve done a wonderful job with it! I love these picture chapters. You captured her death beautifully and Evelyn watching Lucas walk by not acknowledging her was well done as well. Of course, he’s going to be annoyed at her right now. His love has died. Awesome job!
The darkening memories were PERFECT! I love this chapter so much, but in a sad way. 😦 You did such a great job putting all of the screenshots together and they convey the story so well. Am I getting closer to the end now? Or do I have a few more days of reading ahead of me? Either way, I don’t mind. 🙂
You are very close to the end, unfortunately! (Or maybe fortunately?) I’m glad you enjoyed this chapter. I really loved how it came out, though it broke my heart to do it!!! 😦 Thank you so much for reading. I can’t believe you’re so fast! haha
Thank you so so so much. This chapter is one of my top favorites to put together. I’m really proud of it, though it totally crushed me. I was bawling taking these screenshots and organizing them into this chapter. Mel was so special. I loved her. ❤
I’ve been on a binge read here. I’m planning on doing the Ambrosia challenge after I complete a couple that I’m doing now. I was planning on commenting at the end, so there wasn’t a 100 comments spam lol. But this deserves a comment. I’m still crying. It was so beautifully done without words. I love how her life flashed before her eyes, and how each memory got darker and darker until she was gone. I absolutely love this whole story!
Thank you SO much for this comment! I know it’s so depressing, but I must say that this is a chapter I will always be so proud of. And I wept while screenshotting it and putting it all together! I’m really glad that it touched you so much, and I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story too 🙂
I think it’s awesome that you’re planning on doing an Ambrosia challenge! Definitely post in the thread when you start it. I’d be very interested in taking a look.
Thank you again for reading and taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me!
I would be proud of it too! I did enjoy the rest 🙂 I will post when I start it. I’m not really a storyteller, mainly commentary, but I may try with the ambrosia one. It’s good for story telling!
The past three chapters have brought tears to my eyes, but I managed to keep them in – until this chapter! Love love love the way you show the pictures without the words (because a picture is worth a thousand words and all that) and especially loved the fading-out effect. It was so bloody brilliant! And it made it even more tear-jerking to show all her memories and life and everything.
I’m so sorry for all the tears! 😭 This chapter is one of the most emotional ones I’ve ever done. It broke my heart! But I’m really glad you enjoyed it ❤️ Mel was really special and oh so lovely. RIP 😥
So sad….when it was fading to black it took me a minute to realise what was going on because I thought my computer was broken but it was just a well done moment. I will miss Melanie.
*cries like a baby* Wow, screenshotting this chapter was so incredibly difficult for me (both emotionally and technically, too – TS4 does not make it easy to portray declining health… but I guess it wasn’t MEANT to, huh?).
Mel is a character who’s always been close to my heart (even before we saw her or read about her, and she just existed in my head!). She’s a strong, intelligent, and compassionate human being who never let the hardships she’s had to endure in her life change who she is – except maybe a bit for the better. Finding the “perfect” life partner for Lucas was a challenge, but I think Mel really was it.
This has always been Lucas and Evelyn’s story of course… But Lucas’ story would not be complete without Mel in his life, so she really is a very special character to me and it was SO hard to have to say goodbye! I cried quite a bit while taking these pictures, and putting the screenshots together for today’s chapter made me cry even more! I apologize for how depressing it all turned out to be — but I really wanted to convey how absolutely devastating this loss was for Lucas (poor guy… I’m always so cruel to him!)
So goodbye to the beautiful (both inside and out!) Melanie Ainsworth – thank you for being such a wonderful and important part of this story, and for giving Lucas a beautiful daughter and an amazing life. *weeps*
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Thank you and also sorry! Hahaha I felt kind of bad making this one so depressing, but it felt right, because Mel was such a major character and her loss impacts Lucas so much. Thanks for commenting and sorry for any heartache you may have endured haha
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Omg I literally cried soooo sad 😦 poor Lucas I really want to hug him 😦
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Thank you July, this was so hard!!! And yes, I feel horrible for Lucas. I’m such a mean author haha it breaks my heart!
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;( ;(
I knew this was coming but still…this chapter just broke my heart.
Major hugs for you – if I feel like this after reading this, I can’t imagine what it’s like to write about your own beloved characters.
And hugs to Lucas and the rest of the family as well.
Goodbye, Mel.
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Thank you! I appreciate your hugs, this breaks my heart too! I love these characters 😥 Thank you for reading and commenting ❤
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So sad, but so very well done! Definitely got a bit misty there! I really love how you did the black and white memories getting darker and darker until fading into darkness, wow, amazing. I also really appreciate that the last shot of Mel when she was dying was her smiling face. Poor Lucas! It’s good he has Evelyn, though I don’t know if he’d want to see her now, she might be too painful of a reminder, with her being dead and all. It would probably make more sense for him to turn to his family, as in Krysti and her family.
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The insightful commenter strikes again! Haha I kind of included that shot of Lucas walking by Evelyn without talking to her as an indicator of what you said — he doesn’t really want to see her (at least for now) because not only on dead, but more importantly, she’s still there as a ghost. But Mel isn’t. He would give anything to be able to see Mel and talk to her. Ev kind of reminds him of the fact that she ISN’T 😦
That’s not to say he’s gonna ignore Ev forever or anything, but he needs a little time. Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you enjoyed this one!
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Yeah I can definitely see how Ev still being around would make Lucas a bit resentful – not of her, but the situation. Poor Lucas ❤
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I’m on my phone so there was a weird typo haha but hopefully you knew what I meant!
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That was…so hard to see. And so very powerful. You are an amazing writer! *runs away to bawl like a baby*
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Aw thank you Kit! Im glad that even #TeamEv was moved haha. It was such a hard one for me. Thank you again!
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Hey, we have opinions sure, but we aren’t heartless against death! Not even Grim is heartless against death!
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Oh my gosh. So beautiful. It was amazing the way you had his memories fade darker and darker until they were black. I am very impressed with this chapter!
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Thank you so much!
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Absolutely amazingly well done. I love the way you had the memories fading to blackness.
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Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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That was so good! I’m usually a stony hearted reader, so the fact that this made me sad is a sign that you’ve done it fabulously. I loved the darkening memories, and just seeing back to when they first met and everything made me sad, but at the same time confirmed the fact that Mel has lived a full and good life, and that she has no reason to hang around really. I hope Lucas uses this as momentum to find what Ev needs, I’m getting nervous that he’s running out of time D:
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Thank you! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it and that you found it moving. And as for what Lucas will do now… Well, I can’t say haha but you will see! Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely and thoughtful comment 🙂
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This is beautifully tragic. Your screenshots spoke volumes, especially the part where Mel’s life flashed before her eyes before she passed. Thank you for crafting such a wonderful tribute to her strength in her last few days. *huge hugs for you, Lucas, and the Rosebrook-Ainsworths* She was such an amazing woman.
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Thank you for your lovely comment!
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Wow. You’ve done it. There are tears! Congrats lol. As sad as this was, it was so beautiful! And the fading memories…ugh! So slick. It was all over then lol. Very nice!
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Hahaha that’s the happiest “you made me cry” comment I think I’ve ever gotten 😛 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This was a very difficult chapter (for more than one reason, like I said haha) but I feel proud of how it came out too 🙂 So thank you!
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To steal from CathyTea, it was masterful.
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SAD SAD SAD.
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Darn, I made it past the last two without crying but these silent ones really get me. 😦
Mel really illustrates the heartbreaking beauty that’s only possible with mortality, both in their love and just in her as a person. This was a nice tribute to her. 🙂
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Amazing! So good… So Sad
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Thank you! Also, thank you for commenting! I always see you liking my chapters and I appreciate it so much! 🙂
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Very beautifully done. I especially loved the fading memories.
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Thank you so much! And thank you for commenting! I always love hearing from some ‘silent’ readers every now and then. Your comment made me so happy. Thanks for checking out my story 🙂
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I’m on the “fading memories were the best” band wagon. It was subtle enough to start and then…bam, blackness. Quite shocking even as you suspect it. And I think you did declining health well. I’m impressed by how well you managed with sim limitations.
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Thank you so much! The pose player was my friend for this one haha
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Ok now I really am crying! I don’t want Melanie to go!
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Me too! This was very painful 😦
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I was right. Heart stabbed a billion times. 😦
At first I was a little mad that Ev and Lucas wouldn’t be together, but eventually I really liked Mel for him. They were perfect for each other.
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I’m so glad Mel grew on you 🙂 She was Lucas’ soulmate. I cried a lot when I put this chapter together. 😦
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So beautifully done. A true masterpiece. This work is a classic.
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You are so very kind Cathy 🙂 Thank you.
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Ikr
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I just wanna cry! 😭😭😭
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I’m sorry for how heartbreaking this one was haha. Thank you so much for reading!
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Oh, but this was perfect.
Very sad, and I am crying now, but I am also a Sims story writer, and I appreciate the art and skill here. 🙂
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Thank you! This one broke my heart but I was very pleased with how it true out too!
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A sad one
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I love the transition to black in the photos. I love it. But so sad…
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Thank you! This was a very hard one for me -_- But I’m glad the fade to black worked well! RIP Mel 😦 So sad!
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This made me tear up a little. So good job! I like stories that can make me cry when appropriate. Again, the screenshots worked really well. I especially liked Mel’s memories fading to black.
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Thank you! This one was very emotional to pot together. I loved Mel! 😦
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*Continue with tears* It’s hard to say goodbye to Mel! She was a beautiful and happy woman to be around. I love how you do the flashbacks in black and white and then the transition to pitch black. I send hugs to Lucas and the rest of the family. 😥
RIP Melanie Ainsworth. You’ll be missed. 😦
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Thank you! This was incredibly difficult for me. I loved Mel so much! I’m glad you liked the fading to black. I was happy with how that part came out (underneath all my sadness!) 😦
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I’m crying. This was so beautifully executed, but my god… it hurts my heart to read it.
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Thank you! But I’m also sorry for making you cry. This was one of the most emotionally challenging chapters for me to put together, but it’s also one of my favorites too.
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Wow, this must have been so hard for you to do. The flashbacks fading darker and darker was a stroke of genius. As I was following along, I was doing that leg-bouncy thing that some people do without really noticing it, but as I realized the images were getting darker and where it was headed, my leg stopped bouncing–it was like, I had to, out of respect or something ha. Beautifully, beautifully done.
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Thank you so much! This was most definitely one of the hardest chapters for me. It was really painful, because I loved Mel so much, and also felt horrible for putting Lucas and Krysti through all that pain too 😦 I’m glad you liked the fading to black. It worked out well, I think. And sad as it was, this is actually one of my favorite chapters. Thank you!!!
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You just brought tears to my eyes. It is true what they say about a picture meaning kore than 1000 words!
Loved the way you put together Melanie’s memories like her life flashing through her eyes and fading away at the end. Also loved the reverse memories for Lucas.
You truly are a great writer even when you don’t write anything at all!
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Thank you so much!!! Although it broke my heart, this chapter was one of my favorites to put together. I am glad you enjoyed it ❤
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So, I was scrolling down and I kept thinking the pictures were getting darker. I kept going getting a little annoyed because I couldn’t see them as well. For a moment, I thought, “did her PS fall apart or something?” Then, I realized what you did. So brilliant. Truly. You should seriously just write books. You’re such a master at this writing and screenshot thing. We’re all taking notes from you.
This was a sad chapter, but surprisingly, I didn’t cry. I knew it was coming, I guess. Plus, I’m not really that emotional, at least right now, which is surprising since it’s 2:30 am.
Anyway, I don’t want to take away from this beautiful, sad chapter. You’ve done a wonderful job with it! I love these picture chapters. You captured her death beautifully and Evelyn watching Lucas walk by not acknowledging her was well done as well. Of course, he’s going to be annoyed at her right now. His love has died. Awesome job!
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Thank you so much ❤ This was another favorite of mine. Though I cried while putting the pictures together! Haha
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The darkening memories were PERFECT! I love this chapter so much, but in a sad way. 😦 You did such a great job putting all of the screenshots together and they convey the story so well. Am I getting closer to the end now? Or do I have a few more days of reading ahead of me? Either way, I don’t mind. 🙂
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You are very close to the end, unfortunately! (Or maybe fortunately?) I’m glad you enjoyed this chapter. I really loved how it came out, though it broke my heart to do it!!! 😦 Thank you so much for reading. I can’t believe you’re so fast! haha
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I have no words. Just 😢
I’mso glad i waited to read this story till i had no distractions i’m hooked. Amazing story beautifully written.
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I somehow missed this comment before! But thank you so much! This chapter broke my heart to put together, but it’s one of my favorites.
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Thank you so so so much. This chapter is one of my top favorites to put together. I’m really proud of it, though it totally crushed me. I was bawling taking these screenshots and organizing them into this chapter. Mel was so special. I loved her. ❤
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Hahahaha! I somehow never even realized at the time that you weren’t really reading anymore when you left this comment hahaha 😛
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Oh wow this is sad…
I’m sorry, I’d say more, but…
It’s just so sad…
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Yeah, this was one of the most difficult ones for me! 😦
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I’ve been on a binge read here. I’m planning on doing the Ambrosia challenge after I complete a couple that I’m doing now. I was planning on commenting at the end, so there wasn’t a 100 comments spam lol. But this deserves a comment. I’m still crying. It was so beautifully done without words. I love how her life flashed before her eyes, and how each memory got darker and darker until she was gone. I absolutely love this whole story!
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Thank you SO much for this comment! I know it’s so depressing, but I must say that this is a chapter I will always be so proud of. And I wept while screenshotting it and putting it all together! I’m really glad that it touched you so much, and I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story too 🙂
I think it’s awesome that you’re planning on doing an Ambrosia challenge! Definitely post in the thread when you start it. I’d be very interested in taking a look.
Thank you again for reading and taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me!
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I would be proud of it too! I did enjoy the rest 🙂 I will post when I start it. I’m not really a storyteller, mainly commentary, but I may try with the ambrosia one. It’s good for story telling!
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The past three chapters have brought tears to my eyes, but I managed to keep them in – until this chapter! Love love love the way you show the pictures without the words (because a picture is worth a thousand words and all that) and especially loved the fading-out effect. It was so bloody brilliant! And it made it even more tear-jerking to show all her memories and life and everything.
RIP Mel 😭😭😭
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I’m so sorry for all the tears! 😭 This chapter is one of the most emotional ones I’ve ever done. It broke my heart! But I’m really glad you enjoyed it ❤️ Mel was really special and oh so lovely. RIP 😥
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So sad….when it was fading to black it took me a minute to realise what was going on because I thought my computer was broken but it was just a well done moment. I will miss Melanie.
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Thank you, this one will always stick out in my memory as a difficult one! 😦
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…this was beautiful. Thank you.
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Aww, thank YOU for reading! This one was really painful and sad for me, but I was proud of it too. RIP Mel 😭❤️
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*hugs
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This chapter’s so sad.
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