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.

was rude, but I couldn't stand anyone mistreating

Zoey, I'll protect you.

again will I let anyone drive you 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

and retorted, "Are you my dad or something? Just because you call me over doesn't

of Bill made me impatient; I had so many things I

him in front of everyone. His face turned an even

trying to defuse the

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

we ended up becoming the closest of friends

sit, I'll join you," Nina

asked, "Ms. White, weren't

sheepish laugh and said, "I just remembered that

at Zoey and me, asked, "You two know

moment I met her, I felt

does it matter to you? Shut up

Harlan was speechless.

the meal, Harlan and Carter

shrimp for Harlan. "Harlan, I peeled this for

shot a smug look at Zoey, clearly

began, feigning innocence, "is it common for women here to peel shrimp for men? Where

few peeled shrimp onto

contrast made Nina's attempt at provocation

few shrimp onto Zoey's plate

younger than my own sister. How could I not spoil

sweetly, biting into one,

Harlan a knowing look and suggested, "Why don't you peel some for

icier. I couldn't help but wonder if Zoey's life

man be

that he would be able to remove Nina's implants with a single punch, given the way his veins bulged on his hand as he

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

encountered enough wolves

fair

he had lived a life of luxury and had never done this kind of thing before. The way he peeled the shrimp wasn't just clumsy-it was pure