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.

the faint

on the second floor. Moving like a phantom, I slipped

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

Carlyn-the untouchable matriarch, the one everyone feared-was

click of the door unlocking alerted her. She sat up

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

lamp shattered the darkness, its

have you lost your mind? What are

"Amber, are you

her. Amber's eyes widened in disbelief, her expression as if she

luck!" she hissed, her teeth clenched. "Do

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?

to threaten me? You can cut yourself, throw a tantrum, or even

to one demand would only

a dagger, its blade glinting under the soft light. Positioning it over my wrist, I fixed

underestimate what I'm willing to do for

didn't hesitate. The blade sliced

were too fast, catching her completely off guard. Bright red blood spread across the bed like a sudden

smiling. "Sorry for messing up your bed. But don't you think red

fumed, her rage palpable

for Whitney to leave safely know exactly what

do you

be quicker?"

expression darkened as I added, "Oh, and Amber, make sure you and

because I'd been through this before. It looks dramatic and bleeds a lot, but it's rarely fatal if you

the knife from my hand, her movements sharp and full of anger. Then, grabbing a towel, she pressed it firmly against the wound to stop

while, she hissed

How

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

clear-Carter was the one

"Amber, have you made up your mind yet? Because if you haven't,

what you want!" she snapped, exasperated but cornered. Then, after a moment of silence, she relented, "Fine. I'll do

spoke,

harder against

out her phone

long after, a man in

room,

with him.