Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 455 Anna, Live Your Life Well

The ocarina I held in my hands was a perfect replica of the one owned by the silver-haired old woman. Everything suddenly made sense, confirming my suspicions.

Yael noticed my fixed gaze on the ocarina and asked curiously, "Chloe, what's wrong? Don't you like it? Should I make a better one for you?"

I shook my head gently, responding softly, "There's no need. This one is just right. Thank you."

"Chloe, you seem different. Is something bothering you?"

"Maybe it's just that so much has happened, and I'm feeling worn out. I'll go check on your cousin."

I glanced at him with a faint smile and added, "Yael, from now on, consider us family."

He froze, his expression full of disbelief. "Y-you don't hate me?"

I motioned for him to come closer, and when he did, I lightly patted his head. "I know your hands are clean. You've never taken a life, and you even went out of your way to create a body for me." Yael, in the end, was just another victim of his circumstances. How different was he from me?

His lips tightened, and he looked as though he was lost in his thoughts.

I wrapped him in a gentle hug. "One day, you'll find a girl who truly loves you, and you'll understand what real love feels like."

"Chloe... could that person be you?"

Meeting his questioning eyes, I answered softly, "Before you can love anyone else, you need to learn how to love yourself first."

"And if I do learn? Would you love me then?"

"Carter and I will both love you."

Yael scrunched up his face, pouting like a child. "I don't want his love. That's gross."

"As if I'd want to love you either. Ugh."

A disdainful voice interrupted us, and I turned to see Carter standing a few steps away.

He called out, "Chloe, come here."

Yael grabbed my hand in protest. "Chloe, you're not his dog. Just because he calls you doesn't mean you have to go running. Have some pride!"

Ignoring him, I broke free and dashed toward Carter, throwing myself into his arms. With a teasing smile, I quipped, "Woof."

frozen in

felt like his world had come crashing down. Without

lightly, his tone scolding yet tender. "Don't

easy on him. Honestly, he's probably the cleanest person

of how Taylor had fiercely protected Whitney, it was clear he'd do the same for his only

to someone like me who's faced death. I understood Taylor's emotions more clearly now. "Whatever you say," Carter

of emotion crossed his eyes. I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my face against his chest.

"I know."

change, Chloe, we'll

If we live, we live as one. If we die, we

us had suffered the pain of being abandoned by the

there to fear? I joked lightly, "How about

me joke about

the one person who would humor me no matter how

large rock.

small town. Carter picked

bloom in spring. I'd like fruit trees and vibrant blossoms all year round. Even after a hundred or a thousand years wouldn't grow tired of it if you were

anything goes," he said with a gentle

why are you so

many chances,

fame, and immeasurable wealth

compares to even one glance

sun dipped below the horizon, we intertwined our fingers. "Then let's stay together,

...

attended Grandma's cremation. Taylor had

deep into enemy territory had its advantages. I even

flames, I whispered my final

losing control,

silent presence, unable to fully grasp

of unforgivable things, and the fact that she hadn't suffered in death was already a

couldn't hold back my tears, which fell silently, soaking

far. I'm sorry. I promised you'd see

fluttered through the dim night, landing delicately

I whispered, "Grandma, is that

shoulder. His voice was soft as he said, "Grandma, I promise to take care of Chloe. Rest in peace." The butterfly

when Ethan passed, I had to