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.

How can you smile at him? He's one

probably would have agreed. But now, my perspective

weren't saints, they had their reasons.

hatred for a mere pawn, I wanted to go

to let go of revenge and not

me. That meant

had Grandma brought them up in front

knew she was nearing the end, so

had played a final trick on Dominic

with it. So, she had wanted Dominic to investigate and exact revenge on the

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

were harmless. We were

burden Whitney with this knowledge; her pain was

Taylor would soon begin loosening his

was why he had kept the Sanders' past hidden, even pushing Whitney to hate

with that

didn't explain further. "You haven't eaten all

the strength

else."

I don't want to

cut through. "If you don't eat, I'll

to remember something and

"threat of love" was

ate a little too, leaving

grim. "Don't worry. My mom

couldn't help but sigh, seeing his sad face. "Where's

wanted to

under a tree somewhere. Just find a big one,

"Why?"

or

I was speechless.

was going on between

as best I could. With Taylor there, I

for the two of them, and as

found them in an orchard, safe from snakes. It was

shouting about

using his back as her footrest. I

clear-she was acting like a