Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 354 Zoey, I Got Your Back

When she was alive, I had never interacted with her for even a single day. And yet, I am the person in this world who understands her the most, who empathizes with her the deepest. The fact that she was still alive-it filled me with immeasurable joy.

I hugged her tightly, unwilling to let go. "Thank God! Thank God!" You're still here.

"Janice, who is this?" A sugary, fake-sweet voice rang out behind us.

Other people's family affairs aren't my concern. But Zoey? She's not just anyone to me.

In the brief exchange between the three of them, I had roughly pieced together their relationships.

I'm Chloe Sander, 28 years old, and she's Zoey Gardner, 20. She's like a sister to me.

Instinctively, I pulled her behind me, shielding her. My eyes scanned the woman who stood next to the man in the suit.

To be fair, Harlan had the kind of polished charm that hides a rotten core-a handsome face with refined, aristocratic features, a tall and lean build, and a cold, distant demeanor. But if he'd done Zoey wrong, I'll be the first to make him pay.

"Carter, this is your wife, isn't it?" Harlan started, breaking the silence.

I glanced at the woman in the white dress clinging to his arm. "Mr. Pearson, hello. And this must be Mrs. Pearson, correct?"

That woman's face lit up with triumph when I said that, a smug smile spreading across her lips.

Harlan frowned. He was visibly displeased. "She's not."

I smirked and said, "Oh, my mistake. With how she's hanging onto your arm, her chest practically glued to you, I just assumed she's your wife. My apologies, Mr. Pearson." Though I apologized, everyone present could tell I was being deliberately snide.

Carter coughed awkwardly and said, "That's on me. Let me introduce everyone properly. This is Harlan, whom I've mentioned to you before. And this lady here is his wife, Janice."

His voice trailed off as he gestured toward the woman, clearly not planning to elaborate. The smug woman's expectant expression froze in place.

Since Carter wasn't going to help her out, she took the initiative and introduced herself, "I'm Nina White. My family and Harlan's are old friends."

I nodded with mock understanding. "Ah, I see. Carter, I suppose customs are different where she's from. Where I'm from, even childhood friends understand the importance of boundaries. They don't cling to married men so intimately. Jaford must have a particularly progressive culture."

Then I added, "You don't have any other childhood sweethearts or old flames like this around here, do you? Because I'm petty and couldn't possibly tolerate a husband who doesn't respect his vows."

Carter knew I was being deliberately sarcastic but couldn't refute me.

but I couldn't stand

Zoey, I'll protect you.

will I let anyone drive you

catching on to my jabs. Out of respect for Carter, he didn't lash out. Instead, he withdrew his arm from Nina and turned to Janice. "Come here." Zoey was different from how she used to be. But,

lazily glanced at Harlan and retorted, "Are you my dad or something? Just because

had so many things I wanted to talk to

in front of everyone. His face

defuse the

pulled out the seat next to him and looked at Zoey. However, Zoey didn't even glance at

becoming the closest of friends

I'll join you," Nina offered, trying

and asked, "Ms. White, weren't you about to leave? Why

"I just remembered that I actually don't have anything

and me,

and said, "No, but the moment I met her,

it matter to you? Shut

Harlan was speechless.

meal, Harlan

peeled a shrimp for Harlan. "Harlan, I peeled this

shot a smug look at

women here to peel shrimp for men? Where

playing along, placed a few peeled shrimp onto my

stark contrast made Nina's

placed a few shrimp onto Zoey's plate and said,

own sister. How could I not

into one, and

and suggested, "Why don't

turned even icier. I couldn't help but wonder

man be

Nina's implants with a single punch, given the way his veins bulged on his hand as he clenched his

he did was tear the head off a shrimp. At least

jumping to conclusions? I've encountered enough wolves in sheep's clothing to

my fair share of

never done this kind