Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 453 Grandma Had Played a Final Trick on Dominic

I felt powerless as an observer. The rift between them was too wide for mere words to mend.

I had already suspected Taylor's motives.

I approached Whitney and helped her to her feet. "Don't cry. You need to be careful with your heart. What if you make yourself sick?"

It was only when she saw me that Whitney seemed to find some comfort. She threw herself into my arms, her tears flowing freely as if she were a helpless child.

I gently patted her back. "There, there. You still have me. I will always be here for you."

Whitney sobbed, her voice breaking as she choked on her words. "But... my dad and the others..."

"They're gone now. All we can do is live on. You're the only family I have left in the Sanders family. If something happens to you, I don't know what I'll do."

I knew I was laying it on thick, but I needed her to find a reason to keep going. Even if it was just for me, she had to push through.

She sniffled, and I wiped away her tears, glancing over at Taylor. "Do you have any food?"

"Yes, come with me."

I helped Whitney stand. She hadn't eaten in nearly a full day, and she had grown so frail. My only wish was to help her regain her strength, even if just a little.

As we entered the dining room, a tall figure pulled me in a hug. Yael, his voice thick with worry, muttered, "You really scared me!"

Now that I understood the secrets of the Carlyns, I no longer feared him.

I patted his head and smiled. "See? I'm still here. No need to be scared."

Yael, so large with his red-rimmed eyes, reminded me of a big polar bear.

I recalled childhood pictures of him, all chubby and adorable.

If life had been kinder to him, perhaps he wouldn't have turned out this way. He would have had loving parents.

"I'm starving," I said, trying to gently push his bulky form aside.

A grin spread across his face. "I've already made the food. You need to eat a lot."

He quickly grabbed bowls and utensils. Whitney, however, was frowning, clearly unhappy to see me so comfortable with the Carlyns.

the Carlyns have hurt the Sanders so much. How can you smile at him? He's one of

had been in Chloe's body, I probably would have agreed.

weren't blameless either, and while the Carlyns weren't saints, they had their reasons. Both sides were

I wanted to go after

before she passed to

harm Whitney or me. That meant Grandma was warning me not

brought them up in front of

was nearing the end, so why not take her secrets to

explanation was that Grandma had played a final

wanted Dominic to investigate

the Commander's true identity and the danger it posed-so great that she didn't want me to

a way, the Carlyns were harmless. We were all struggling together, facing the

this knowledge; her pain

begin loosening his hold on her, allowing her

Sanders'

her to live, even with

"You haven't eaten all day. You need

the strength for eve you

else."

face darkened. "Chloe, I

I could respond, Taylor's cold voice cut through.

to remember something and lowered her head,

was

too, leaving

down, his expression grim. "Don't worry. My mom won't let him go

but sigh, seeing his sad face.

to

find a big

"Why?"

fit, or hang yourself on strong branches that won't

I was speechless.

on between Amber

Whitney as best I could. With Taylor there, I didn't need

of them, and as Taylor had said, he was

found them in an orchard, safe from snakes. It

a bedsheet, shouting about

using his back as her footrest. I had no idea how long they had

was acting like