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.

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, tell me

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Chapter 381 Another Death

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worn with age, moved slowly as

piece. The black one represents negative energy, while the

widened. "Chloe, how on earth did

focus remained on the old woman "What

gaze steady and intent. It changes

blessings. But if your life is cut short, their fate will mirror yours. Neither

fight, leaned forward. "But how could he have

woman's expression didn't shift. "Life and death are already written. No one gets

the air, heavy and final. Her presence felt larger now, like she was a step ahead of us in a game we didn't fully understand. I grabbed her hand, unable to mask my desperation. "Please, tell me more. How does it work? What has to happen for it to take effect? Is it too

voice remained steady. "Are you sure you want to change it? If you do, there's a chance you'll die again. He brought you the Stone of

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

deep sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "You two...

glance. I gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't do anything reckless. If she's still

probably right. Maybe we really did stumble onto someone who can help. Like a guide or something." Her optimism barely touched me. My thoughts

with all his determination, could only find a life-for-life solution, was there

him. He wouldn't do this unless

was even the faintest hope,

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woman led us outside to a cherry blossom tree, its branches covered in

Chapter 381 Another Death

stone well, its

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light breeze rustled the petals, and the bells hanging from the

believe in past

clouding my mind. I had never told

said finally, my voice unsteady.

time to face what's

of its lower branches. Without

a gravity I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the black void of the well.

began to shift. Its inky surface rippled, then transformed, as though revealing

air heavy and electric. For Zoey, standing beside me, it must have passed in

saw it-every detail

no such thing as love without reason. Bonds don't form by chance; they are forged across

that he chose to repay

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

ground. I dropped to my knees, clutching at the old woman's sleeve. "You know who I am. You know

of Duality works over 81 days. How long have you kept it