Loved You Once But He's My Forever

She grabbed me by the collar and hissed, "Why aren't you wearing it anymore?"

It was clear that her concern for Carter far outweighed any affection she had for her own son.

The ravioli she once made for Yael had left a lasting impression on him, but over the years, she had prepared countless meals for Carter herself.

When Carter struggled with mobility, she sent Damian to take care of him.

And Carter's smooth rise in a foreign country? It was obvious she'd been pulling strings behind the scenes.

I had gambled and I had won.

With a smile, I said, "Amber, I should thank you. If it weren't for you telling me about the Stone of Duality, I would never have known Carter was willing to risk his life for me." Her expression darkened. "What are you getting at?"

"Well," I said, letting the suspense linger, "since you know about the Stone of Duality, you should also know that the stones remain effective for eighty-one days. Care to guess why I'm no longer wearing mine?" Her pupils dilated, and I delivered the revelation slowly, savoring every word. "Obviously, the time is up. I don't need to wear it anymore because Carter and I have already swapped fates."

"D*mn it!" Amber exploded. Her fury propelled her forward, and she raised her hand to strike me.

I caught her wrist mid-air and turned the knife she was holding toward my chest.

"Amber, isn't this what you've wanted all along? To kill me? Well, here's your chance. Let me help you."

I spoke without a shred of fear. "But just so you know, Carter and I have exchanged fates. If you stab me, I might only suffer a severe injury, while Carter... Well, who knows what might happen to him?" Her hand trembled violently. It was clear she understood the consequences. Amber was more familiar with the Stone of Duality than anyone.

I stood up, and this time it was her turn to retreat, step by step.

She was scared-terrified because hurting me meant Carter would have to pay the price.

I advanced toward her, slowly and deliberately. "Amber, isn't this what you wanted? What are you hesitating for? Show me what you've got."

Amber was frozen, clearly unprepared for me to seize the upper hand so thoroughly.

the kind that seemed sharp enough to cut a person to pieces. But

to be the villain. I liked it. I loved how she desperately wanted to get

taunted, "your hands are shaking. Are you low on calcium? Want me to help? I've

her hand and pressed the blade against my side, just

where Silas stabbed me clean through the other night. But your knife? It probably couldn't

finally realized that I had

do you want?"

couch, and she fell into it with

lot of things, Amber. Do you think

me that!" she

Carter's wife, and we're one unit. As his aunt, it's only polite for

in shock. "You both

weren't for your care over the years, Carter wouldn't have achieved what he

Her features were nothing like Peter's. It was clear

advantage of the moment and tore

"Ah! Chloe!"

too much force, causing

Amber, I didn't mean to

a shred

her, lowering my voice. "Amber, what are you so afraid of? You have such a stunning face-why hide

the mask was a face with exotic features: a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and

most were her jet-black

mind. Could she be Carter's mother's

full of

as I leave you barely alive, he'll be fine. Do you know what it's like to be imprisoned? Locked in a tiny, dark room with no way out? I could keep you like a dog, breaking you bit by bit." I stared directly into her eyes. She was unraveling, trying to mask

and see how

scrutinized me. "What are

arrangement," I replied with a faint smile. "They gave me the inspiration I needed after Silas and Sheila's deaths. Want

go of me,