Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 483 Exposed

The realization struck me hard-my death was only a minuscule thread in a vast intricate web-too small to stir even the faintest ripple.

In the unseen corners of the world, countless others shared my misfortune. Their ends were as

inconspicuous as stray animals struck by passing cars, unnoticed and unremembered.

Millions vanished across the nation every year, and those were just the cases officially reported. How many more disappeared in silence, their absence unacknowledged?

Where did they all go?

I didn't let my thoughts wander too far down that road.

Carter wrapped his arms around me, his voice steady and grounding. "Chloe, you're not a god. You can't save everyone. People have their paths, their destinies."

"I know, Carter. I do," I said, though my voice wavered.

But it wasn't so easy to let go. I could feel the burden pressing down on me. I had been given another

chance a life reclaimed, a man who loved me, moments filled with joy. Yet for so many, death was final. They were erased, leaving no trace of their existence.

"It's late," Carter said, his hand resting on my back. "If not for yourself, rest for the baby. Think about our family, not the whole world."

I nodded, though the heaviness lingered. "Okay. Goodnight."

I clutched his shirt, holding on tightly as if it could anchor me. Silently, I prayed for Taylor.

If he could root out the darkness behind all of this, it might just bring some balance to the chaos.

The next morning, Alisa left early for her prenatal checkup.

I took Whitney to see Sergio.

It wasn't just a performance; she genuinely needed help.

It had been nearly half a year since I last saw him, but Sergio accepted the appointment without hesitation.

When we stepped into his office, it felt as though time had stood still. Everything looked exactly as I remembered. Even the potted plant on his desk sat in the same spot, its leaves positioned identically. Sergio's precision was no surprise. His obsession with cleanliness and order had been evident during my own therapy sessions. I knew his routines as well as my own.

"Ms. Garder-or should I say Mrs. Bolton now?"

Sergio greeted me with a composed expression, the light catching on his silver-rimmed glasses. His tone was polite, measured, and calm, just as it had always been.

a while. You still look exactly the same," I said, keeping my tone

maintained, like it had been trimmed

his face calm. "The same? We've only

but quickly recovered. "I meant that meeting 6

his gaze unwavering. "You,

We weren't close, so

right through me, like he knew something I didn't want it to

gestured toward Whitney. "This is a good friend of mine.

nodded without hesitation. "Go ahead to the treatment room. I'll

"Alright."

down the hall with practiced ease, entering a room that felt as familiar as an old photograph. My fingers brushed the Newton's cradle on the desk, the clicking sound of the spheres grounding me. This office had been my sanctuary for almost 3 years. It carried an air of safety, a place where I could let my

"Did you

then nodded. "Yeah, I was here for a few years. Dr. Zimmer and

"Since you came back...

head.

treatment room was? No one showed us, and yet you walked straight here. How can you know this place if you've

hand stopped mid-motion, a chill creeping

cold, her words pointed. "If Dr. Zimmer is as observant as I think,

a voice broke the

around to see Sergio standing there, his gaze impossible to read.

Bolton," he said evenly, "I'm going to begin the session with Ms. Sander now. Please wait in the lounge. If you

course. Thank you,

at my chest. As I turned to leave, I

door,

"Got it."

stepping back. Compared to her calm composure, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was

to protect herself early on, while I had grown up in a safe bubble. Her instincts were sharper, more untamed, and she

area had a small drink station, offering a variety

grabbed a glass of warm water and picked up a

At first, I thought it was just for kids, something childish.

pile of

find out. The next issue was almost within reach, but the volume I

the shelf and tried to look for the next volume. It was there, but the problem was, the next volume was right on the topmost

you," a familiar

back. He reached up

"Yeah, thanks," I replied.

sank into the

in my hands, my nerves starting