Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 402 Why Did You Come Back?

I knew Carter was waiting for me, hoping I'd change my mind.

To him, my decision to go to the White Residence was reckless. He would never willingly let me put myself in harm's way.

But, Whitney was still waiting for me.

Gritting my teeth, I shut the door resolutely.

I didn't dare look in the rearview mirror as I was afraid of seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

I clenched my fists and silently chanted to myself when the car started.

Don't look back. I'm sorry, Carl.

Sensing my unease, Yael, who was seated beside me, spoke up. "Chloe, are you unhappy?"

"Is Taylor planning to keep Whitney imprisoned forever?" I asked.

"Chloe, Whitney doesn't love Taylor. If she were free, she'd run."

So they understood, after all. Before I could reply, Yael added, "If Taylor didn't care about her, she would already be dead. Freedom or life-which do you think is more important?"

Though I was relieved Whitney was still alive, the thought of her suffering for the past 20 years made me question if living was truly better than dying.

Death was a momentary pain, but living had brought her two decades of torment.

Still, I believed her suffering would soon end.

Once we rescued her, she would become a crucial witness. With more evidence, we could topple the Carlyn brothers and the powers behind them. They had to face justice.

It all had to end.

As we approached the White Residence, Yael handed me a pill.

"Chloe, take this to avoid suspicion."

Earlier, he'd given me an antidote to let me speak for half a day, but now he wanted to reverse it.

I didn't take the pill. Instead, I stared at him coldly. "Is it to avoid suspicion? Or are you afraid I'll call for help? Yael, if I wanted to escape, I could've screamed for help back at the night market. That was the best chance, wasn't it?" I didn't want to lose my voice again.

"Chloe, it's not that I don't care about you. There are surveillance cameras everywhere in the White Residence. If you speak, you'll be exposed. I can't imagine what would happen. Just bear with it. Once we leave, I'll give you the antidote again, okay?" His face was filled with concern, but I knew he wouldn't compromise.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly took the pill that would render me mute.

relaxed after seeing me swallow it. "Chloe, if that person shows up in the next few days, avoid her at all costs. Don't meet her eyes. She's incredibly

before losing my

Residence, Yael carried bags

late, and everyone should've

stepped into the courtyard,

"Where have you been?"

behind Yael, whose tall frame shielded

and his danger level was far higher than

asleep and it seemed like he

candy apple rack. "Bought this for Whitney. And a few other little things. Taylor, you're getting married soon, but Whitney has been sulking. I brought Mute Girl along to pick out some gifts." Yael's innocent expression made it impossible for Taylor to gauge

much about Whitney?" Taylor asked while stepping closer to

kept my head down to avoid

my spine. "And, since when were you so close to Mute

out with her because I was bored. Is Whitney asleep? I'll give her

take it. You shouldn't

"Fair enough."

flawless, leaving no room for

handed me everything. "Take these to

keeping my head low as I awkwardly carried the

I heard Taylor's voice. "What's wrong

Had he noticed something?

heart sank with worry. Yael's warning echoed in my mind. My greatest threat wasn't Taylor but

could sense something, would

door, Whitney was awake. She was likely

saw me, her face feigned calm, but the flicker of joy in her eyes betrayed

parting with Carter melted

was glad I'd

disappointment if I had chosen to leave with Carter. Whitney's once lifeless existence had only regained a glimmer of light because

would extinguish that light, plunging her into an

under the watchful eye of surveillance cameras, she couldn't show

her

"What's all this

placed everything on the window sill and handed

the moment

memories from so long ago would've faded, but clearly, they

tightly and tears streamed down her

Taylor's voice suddenly

foot as if to kick

in front of