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

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Chapter 381 Another Death

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with age, moved slowly as her fingers traced the

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

widened. "Chloe, how on earth

focus remained on the

at me, her gaze steady and

Stone of Duality can overturn destiny itself. If you live a life of wealth and ease, another will share in your blessings. But if your life is cut short, their fate will mirror yours. Neither escapes unscathed I had suspected something like this, but hearing it laid out so plainly felt like

"But how could he have known you were

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

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

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

"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

a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "You

squeeze. "Don't do anything reckless. If she's

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,

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

wouldn't do this

there was even the faintest hope, I had to

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led us outside to a cherry blossom tree, its branches covered in delicate blooms. Beside

Chapter 381 Another Death

well, its edges worn

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the petals, and the bells hanging from the

believe in

head snapped toward her, disbelief clouding my mind. I had never told her my name. Not once. How could she

my voice unsteady. "But now, I

face what's waiting

its lower branches. Without hesitation, she placed it in my hands. "Drop this into the well," she

fragile chime felt light, almost weightless, but its presence carried a gravity I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the black

began to shift. Its inky surface rippled, then

Zoey, standing beside

detail of

without reason. Bonds don't

he chose to repay it with the only thing he could give-his

did you see? I

to my knees, clutching at the old woman's sleeve. "You know

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