Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 423 Lunatic

We held each other tightly, Whitney trembling with emotion.

"Chloe, did she hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine," I reassured her.

Whitney, unconvinced, let go of my hands and circled me, inspecting every inch as if to make sure I was unharmed. Only after confirming I was fine did she finally exhale in relief. Taylor, still nursing his bleeding wrist, looked equally astonished. "She didn't lay a hand on you?"

I glanced at the wound on his wrist, evidence of Whitney's fierce resistance, though he seemed entirely indifferent to the pain.

"Not only did she not hurt me," I said with quiet confidence, "but she'll send me back herself. Do you believe that?"

Taylor's brows furrowed, but after a moment, he muttered, "You're still standing here unharmed, so yeah, I guess it's not impossible."

Whitney quickly interjected, her voice urgent. "Chloe, then you should leave right away!"

I wasn't just planning to leave; I wanted Amber to personally send both Whitney and me out the door.

This was the best chance I'd get. Still, Taylor's possessiveness toward Whitney was a looming obstacle, and I knew better than to reveal my intentions in front of him.

I reached out, gently cupping Whitney's face. "I just want to spend a little more time with you."

"Chloe, you're too naive," she murmured, shaking her head.

Naive? Maybe.

But I also knew Taylor must have used me as leverage to control her over the years. Whitney could have given up long ago, but she endured all of it for the Sanders family.

If she could bear so much, then helping her was the least I could do.

"Don't worry about me," I said with a reassuring smile. "Just rest. Stop overthinking."

Obediently, she nodded, though the worry in her eyes lingered.

Both Whitney and Taylor knew Amber's nature far better than I did. If she had intended to harm me, I wouldn't still be breathing.

The fact that she hadn't made a move was proof enough—I was safe.

As night fell, the world grew eerily still.

faint sound of my footsteps

she was in her room on the second floor. Moving like a

was a gesture of mercy. She never expected I'd have the audacity to

Carlyn-the untouchable matriarch, the one everyone feared-was unprepared for this lunatic barging in at

click of the door unlocking alerted her. She sat up in bed, her voice sharp. "Who's

deliberate, measured steps toward her. "Amber, it's me. Don't you remember? I'm the one Silas stabbed-one blade straight through me. It hurt

the darkness, its

your mind? What are you doing here, acting like some

you sleeping well? Because

I pulled back her blanket and lay down beside her.

teeth clenched.

"Of course, I believe you would. But if I die, Carter won't live much longer either. Would you be able to stomach that? Amber, I've figured out your weakness. You've already lost this game." "Amber, since you've shown no interest in Whitney, why not remove the chip and let her go?

no one has ever dared to threaten me? You can cut yourself, throw a tantrum, or even kill yourself I couldn't care

clear: agreeing to one demand would only invite more. She wouldn't give

prepared for that. I pulled out a dagger, its blade glinting under the soft light. Positioning

you underestimate what I'm willing to

The blade sliced down

build-up. My movements were too fast, catching her completely off

for messing up

out of your mind?" Amber fumed, her rage palpable as she

I want is for Whitney to leave safely know exactly what I'm doing. If you don't believe I'll kill myself, should I

heart-what do you thight

be quicker?"

added, "Oh, and Amber, make sure you and

It looks dramatic and bleeds a lot, but it's rarely fatal if you

hand, her movements sharp and full of anger. Then,

the while,

teeth How could Carter

this? His life is tied to yours! Is this what his love means to you? To watch you destroy yourself

was the one

mind yet? Because if

snapped, exasperated but cornered. Then, after a moment of silence,

spoke, she

harder against

out her phone to make a

a

the room,

with him.