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

in Chloe's body, I probably would have agreed. But now, my perspective

the Carlyns weren't saints,

of holding onto hatred for a mere pawn, I wanted to go

passed to let go

meant Grandma was warning me not to

brought them up

so why not

had played a final trick on

wanted Dominic to investigate and exact revenge on the Commander. She

had known the Commander's true identity and the danger it posed-so great that

were harmless. We were all

Whitney with this knowledge; her pain was

begin loosening his hold on her, allowing

he had kept the Sanders' past

wanted her to live, even with that hate. It was

didn't explain further. "You haven't eaten all day. You need to

have the strength for

else."

I don't want

cold voice cut through. "If you don't

remember something and lowered

was harsh,

ate a little too, leaving some

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

seeing his sad face. "Where's

wanted to speak with

tree somewhere. Just find

"Why?"

it's easier to cry, throw a fit, or hang yourself on strong branches that won't

I was speechless.

going on between Amber and

I could. With Taylor there,

them, and as Taylor had said, he

snakes. It was clean, and there wasn't

shouting about how death was better than

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

was acting like