Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 401 Chloe, Come With Me

The location I sent him was near the beach, and he must have deduced the presence of a nearby night market.

Maybe he came on a whim, hoping for a chance encounter. Even though the likelihood of running into me was slim, he still came.

I'd told him not to act recklessly, but to him, even the smallest chance was worth the risk.

Thankfully, fate reunited us. Watching Yael walk off toward a candy apple vendor, I quickly ran to Carter.

He pulled me behind a large tree and wrapped me in a tight embrace like he wanted to crush me to the

bone.

I held back my tears and clung to him just as tightly, greedily taking in his familiar scent laced with the sharp bitterness of tobacco.

He must have smoked a lot.

It was something he would never do in front of me before.

Suppressing the emotions bubbling in my chest, I whispered, "Carl, don't worry. I'm fine, really."

"Chloe, come with me," he rasped.

His bloodshot eyes made my heart ache.

Has he been sleepless since I disappeared?

I felt a pang of guilt and sorrow as I explained, "I'm sorry, but I can't leave. Whitney is still in their hands.

Carter frowned. "Chloe, I don't care about anyone else's life but yours. Not even your sister's. I won't allow it if helping her puts you in danger. You have to come with me. Do you know what these past days have been like for me?" Panic surged within me.

As much as I wanted to escape with him, I couldn't ignore the image of Whitney's haunted face and her desperate attempts to create opportunities for me to leave even before she knew who I was. Such a kind soul didn't deserve this fate. "There won't be a better chance than now, Carl. Trust me."

"Chloe, stop being stubborn!" Carter's tone grew firm as he tried to drag me away.

Standing on tiptoes, I caught him off guard with a kiss.

I was fleeting, far too brief to calm his restless heart.

If I left now, Yael would surely take his fury out on Whitney-not necessarily killing her, but tormenting her in ways I couldn't bear.to imagine.

Whitney had already suffered 20 years of agony. I couldn't let her endure any more of it.

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Chapter 401 Chloe, Come With Me

me.

as his gaze lingered on the Stone of Duality hanging from

into my hand. "Protect yourself and stay

He had given in.

fiercely, leaving me breathless. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." And

gripped the dagger tightly, knowing it

it likely had a tracking

his way of staying connected when I couldn't use my phone, giving

of Duality was imminent, and he feared any

that I had already disposed

plan was doomed to

are you

He was back with a

years. She used to love them. The night we were separated, she

my reddened

you know why I like you so much? Because there's no one else in this world

and gently

far. He was watching us

as a cripple. They would never associate the

of his clenched fists. It must have taken all his strength to resist

world isn't life and death. It's being so deeply in love, standing within reach, yet we could

murmured under my breath, "Carl, don't act

knuckles turned white before

me and mouthed,

nodded and turned away to hide my

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Chloe,

time carrying an entire rack of candy

bought enough for you and Whitney," he

I froze.

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+8 Pearls

I not experienced death firsthand, I might have believed he was just an innocent

hungry. Let me take you somewhere nice

followed us from a safe

was

did, if I turned around, he was

felt an overwhelming urge to run into his arms and hold

aside and escape with him to a hidden paradise. I didn't want to be bothered by destiny or

fantasies faded quickly, doused by the weight

right-I hated my

selfish. I wanted to care only about my own happiness