Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 405 Can You Bear to Leave Me?

Ever since being schemed by Damian, every day had been filled with anxiety, and I'd been desperate to see Carter again.

Last night, we parted so quickly that I didn't even get a good look at him.

He had cleaned himself up just to see me. The stubble from the video call was gone and every strand of his hair was perfectly styled.

He didn't want me to see him looking disheveled, but I could still tell he'd lost weight.

In just a few short days, his features had become sharper and his entire presence radiated an intense aura.

I reached out to brush away the shadow clouding his brow. I wanted to call his name, but no sound would come out.

"Chloe, come with me. I can't leave you with the Carlyns anymore," he said.

I shook my head and grabbed his phone, typing out a message.

"Whitney has a chip implanted somewhere in her body; I don't know the exact location. Also, the Sander residence is rigged with explosives. If we want to take Whitney, we need to solve these two problems first.

Carter pulled me into a tight embrace. "Chloe, we'll deal with Whitney later. Taylor hasn't hurt her after all these years, which means he's not planning to hurt her anytime soon. But you're different-if you're discovered, it's a dead end for you."

He spoke with logical calmness. "We've fought so hard to get to this point. Chloe, I know you can't bear to leave Whitney, but can you bear to leave me?"

In the dim, warm light, his icy expression was replaced by a desperate plea.

I silently mouthed his name. "Carl."

Conflicting emotions tore at me.

If it were anyone else from the Sanders, I wouldn't hesitate to leave.

But it was Whitney. She was a victim, too.

I thought about the excitement in her eyes when I returned last night. She wanted me to escape, yet at the same time, she didn't want me to leave her behind.

I understood Carter's concern for me.

He would risk his life to ensure I survived. If anything happened to me, he'd lose his mind.

He didn't know I had already lost the Stone of Duality. My fate would no longer transfer to him.

Every moment I stayed with the Carlyns felt like dancing on the edge of a blade. Perhaps fate would have its way after all, and I would end up dying at their hands. My rationality told me to leave and to get as far away from them as possible.

was still waiting for

to Carter's jacket tightly. The world doesn't allow for perfection. I couldn't

loved him and

a child? Come home

He was using children to persuade

buried my head against his chest, listening to the familiar rhythm of his heartbeat. I stayed silent, giving

20 years of suffering, but hadn't

what decision I made, one

please don't force

pleaded with him

sigh.

he was about to give in, our eyes met. His

a white cloth, ready and waiting. Before I could react,

"I'm sorry, Chloe."

I

more important to me than you. I can't let you risk your life." Darkness swallowed my

the first time, had refused

for me

a cleaning lady, leaving Carter free to carry me away from the bustling exhibition hall. Meanwhile,

up with the Gardners, Zoey had been consumed

money or enjoy herself

rebirth, she was determined to make the most of her limited

novel. The dresses weren't just luxurious-they

"Whitney, this ombre layered fringe dress is

time or energy to care about fashion or appearances. She had never picked out

a girl, and her innate love for beauty

the

as she admired the dresses.

that moment, Whitney seemed

a shell of a person,

of how she used to smile as

QLIMS

her smile in a long

much.

would look great on you too. You're so beautiful; you'd look amazing in

fingers. "I do not have to wear something like

there is! I'll visit you often, and we'll have so much fun together.

no, it's too expensive. I don't want

understood Whitney's financial situation. However, money was just