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

help me.

gaze lingered on the Stone of Duality hanging

into my hand. "Protect

He had given in.

had, he kissed me fiercely, leaving me breathless. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." And then, he was

gripped the dagger tightly, knowing it wasn't

weapon, it likely had a

way of staying connected when I couldn't use

lives with the Stone of Duality was imminent, and he

know that I had already disposed

was

what are you

He was back with a candy

wondering if Whitney had eaten one in all these years. She used to love them. The night we were separated, she had

complimented my reddened eyes, keeping

one else in this

me a candy apple and gently pinched

He was watching us from

a cripple. They would never

clenched fists. It must have

being so deeply in love, standing within reach, yet

my breath, "Carl,

white before he finally relaxed his

looked at me

and turned away to hide my

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14:29 Mon, Dec 30

401 Chloe,

this time carrying an entire rack of candy

bought enough for you and Whitney," he said with a bright

I froze.

69%

+8 Pearls

smile was so clean and untainted that, had I not experienced death firsthand, I might have believed he was just an

you must be hungry. Let me take you somewhere

from

presence was

I turned around, he

run

to a hidden paradise. I

faded quickly, doused by the

hated

care only about my