Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Billionaire Is 381

Chapter 381 Another Death

Chapter 381 Another Death 81%

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The old woman's gaze lingered on the Soul-Stabilizing Pendant, her face unreadable.

Without hesitation, I dropped to my knees. "Please, malam, if you know anything, tell me. This could mean everything to someone I care about."

Her eyes shifted toward me, calm yet piercing. "The man who came with you before-he's not with you this time?"

Zoey quickly knelt beside me, her hands gesturing in reassurance. "No, he's not here! Don't worry, he's far away. Look, if it'll help, I'll bow too. Just tell my sister what she needs to know."

"Both of you, get up," the old woman said, her tone firm but not unkind.

Zoey and I obeyed, settling cross-legged on the floor as she had.

"After you left last time," the old woman began, "that man returned to see me."

A sharp chill ran through me. Of course Carter would take matters into his own hands. A mere mention of him, and he'd already found her.

"What did he say?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the ocarina. "He gave me money. Told me to leave this place."

My hands curled into fists. "He's afraid you'll tell me the truth. But since you stayed, he won't let this drop!

Carter's nature was all too clear to me. His kindness was a mask he wore only for me.

If this was important enough to him, he'd stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

"I left," the old woman said, her voice calm, "but I knew you'd come."

Her words struck like a thunderclap. Zoey and I exchanged stunned glances.

"You knew we'd come?" Zoey asked, disbelief plain in her voice. "How could you possibly know that? It doesn't make sense!"

The woman's smile deepened, her eyes softening. The wrinkles at their corners somehow made her look gentler, as though she'd known us for years.

It was strange. Though I'd never seen her before, something about her felt familiar, like the echo of a memory I couldn't place.

"What do you want to ask me?" she said, ignoring Zoey's question entirely.

you I thought I understood what this was. But now, I'm not so sure. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe someone lied to me. You know what this is. Please,

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Chapter 381 Another Death

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hands, worn with age, moved slowly as her fingers traced the

Stone of Duality, You were right-there is another piece. The black one represents negative energy, while the one in your

on earth did you figure

respond. My focus remained on the

gaze steady and intent. It changes

ease, another will share in your blessings. But if your life is cut short, their fate will mirror yours. Neither escapes unscathed I had

never one to accept anything without a fight, leaned forward. "But how could he have known you were going to die? That doesn't add

woman's expression didn't shift. "Life and death

understand. I grabbed her hand, unable to mask my desperation. "Please, tell me more. How

steady. "Are you sure you want to change it? If you do, there's a chance you'll die again.

temper flared. "Why does Chloe have to die? The ones who deserve it are those monsters, not her! Ma'am, you must know a way to save her. She doesn't deserve this. Take my life instead. I don't have anyone depending on me anyway. I'll-" "Zocy!" I snapped.

old woman let out a deep sigh, her shoulders

"Don't do anything reckless. If she's still here waiting for

a small smile breaking through her frustration. "You're probably right. Maybe we really did stumble onto someone who can help. Like a guide or something." Her optimism barely touched me. My thoughts churned, tangled

with all his determination, could only find a

do this unless he was

was even the faintest hope, I had to hold on

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outside to a cherry blossom tree, its branches covered

Chapter 381 Another Death

ancient stone well, its edges

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from the

do you believe in past

mind. I had never told her my name. Not once.

said finally, my voice unsteady.

face what's waiting

and unhooked a wind chime that hung from one of its lower branches. Without hesitation, she placed it in my hands.

ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the black void

chime disappeared into the darkness, and the still water below began to shift. Its inky surface

stretched endlessly, the air heavy and electric. For Zoey, standing beside me, it

saw it-every detail

Bonds don't form by

me a debt so profound that he chose to repay

my thoughts. "What did you see? I didn't see

at the old woman's sleeve. "You know who I am. You know my past. Please, tell

waver. "The Stone of Duality works over 81