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

Zoey, I'll protect you.

again will I let

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, of course, dying once

retorted, "Are you my dad or something? Just because you call me

had so many things I wanted to talk to her

embarrass him in front of everyone. His face turned an even darker

the

and looked at Zoey. However, Zoey didn't even glance at him. Instead, she plopped

up becoming the

join you," Nina offered, trying

gave her a quick glance and asked, "Ms. White, weren't you about

and said, "I just remembered that I actually

and me, asked, "You two know

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

matter

Harlan was speechless.

the meal, Harlan and

ever eager, peeled a shrimp for Harlan. "Harlan,

shot a smug look at Zoey,

began, feigning innocence, "is it common for women here to

playing along, placed a few peeled shrimp onto

contrast made Nina's attempt at

casually placed a few shrimp onto

sister. How could I not

smiled sweetly, biting into one, and said,

suggested, "Why don't you peel some for

turned even icier. I couldn't help but wonder

this man

single punch, given the way his veins bulged on

tear the head off a shrimp. At least it wasn't Zoey's head; I patted my

me for jumping to conclusions? I've encountered enough wolves in sheep's clothing to be wary of

fair

a life of luxury and had never done this kind