Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 401 Chloe, Come With Me

The location I sent him was near the beach, and he must have deduced the presence of a nearby night market.

Maybe he came on a whim, hoping for a chance encounter. Even though the likelihood of running into me was slim, he still came.

I'd told him not to act recklessly, but to him, even the smallest chance was worth the risk.

Thankfully, fate reunited us. Watching Yael walk off toward a candy apple vendor, I quickly ran to Carter.

He pulled me behind a large tree and wrapped me in a tight embrace like he wanted to crush me to the bone.

I held back my tears and clung to him just as tightly, greedily taking in his familiar scent laced with the sharp bitterness of tobacco.

He must have smoked a lot.

It was something he would never do in front of me before.

Suppressing the emotions bubbling in my chest, I whispered, "Carl, don't worry. I'm fine, really."

"Chloe, come with me," he rasped.

His bloodshot eyes made my heart ache.

Has he been sleepless since I disappeared?

I felt a pang of guilt and sorrow as I explained, "I'm sorry, but I can't leave. Whitney is still in their hands."

Carter frowned. "Chloe, I don't care about anyone else's life but yours. Not even your sister's. I won't allow it if helping her puts you in danger. You have to come with me. Do you know what these past days have been like for me?" Panic surged within me.

As much as I wanted to escape with him, I couldn't ignore the image of Whitney's haunted face and her desperate attempts to create opportunities for me to leave even before she knew who I was. Such a kind soul didn't deserve this fate. "There won't be a better chance than now, Carl. Trust me."

"Chloe, stop being stubborn!" Carter's tone grew firm as he tried to drag me away.

Standing on tiptoes, I caught him off guard with a kiss.

It was fleeting, far too brief to calm his restless heart.

If I left now, Yael would surely take his fury out on Whitney-not necessarily killing her, but tormenting her in ways I couldn't bear to imagine.

Whitney had already suffered 20 years of agony. I couldn't let her endure any more of it.

"Carl, please, help me. Help Whitney. Please."

Carter sighed as his gaze lingered on the Stone of Duality hanging from my neck.

a dagger into my hand. "Protect yourself and stay

He had given in.

me fiercely, leaving me breathless. "Don't

gripped the dagger tightly,

it likely had

way of staying connected when I couldn't use

with the Stone of Duality was imminent, and he feared any disruption to his plan. However, he

was doomed to

what are you

of my thoughts. He was back with a candy apple. I sighed in relief

was wondering if Whitney had eaten one in all these years. She used to love them. The night we were

sorrowful expression complimented my reddened eyes,

me deeply. "Chloe, do you know why I like you so much? Because there's no one

a candy apple and gently pinched my cheek

hadn't gone far. He was watching us from the

They would never associate the

his clenched fists. It must have taken all his strength to resist

greatest distance in

and death. It's being so deeply in love, standing within reach,

murmured under my breath, "Carl,

knuckles turned white before

me and mouthed,

nodded and turned away to

an entire rack of candy

bought enough for you and

I froze.

was so

had

I

just

must be hungry. Let me

followed us from a

presence was a

if I turned around, he was always

run into his arms and hold

even wanted

and escape with him to

be

ties.

didn't want to b bothered

those fantasies faded quickly, doused by the