Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 494 A Hair's Breadth

"Whitney!"

Just before Carter reached me, Whitney broke free from my grasp and fell off the cliff.

In that moment, it felt like I had been thrown back 20 years, reliving the same nightmare. Once again, I watched her slip away before my eyes.

"No!" my heart-wrenching scream echoed across the cliff.

Everything went black, and I felt my body falling, powerless to stop it.

"Chloe!"

Carter's anguished voice called out behind me, but it felt distant, fading.

Am I going to die again?

Is this how it ends for me?

I lost consciousness.

In my dream, I was back on that night, at just five years old.

A little figure in the water waved at me, her voice urgent, "Chloe, help me!"

Without a second thought, I jumped into the water and grabbed her hand.

People on the shore tried to save us, but the river's current was too strong, and we were quickly swept away.

Caught in the raging waters, I clung to her and pleaded desperately, "Don't let go, no matter what happens. Please, don't let go."

"Chloe, I can't hold on anymore."

Her expression shifted, and suddenly, the little girl I was holding turned into the grown-up Whitney. Her face was calm and resigned as if she had already accepted her fate. "Chloe, please forget me." "No, Whitney!"

I shot awake from the dream, gasping, only to meet a pair of red, tear-filled eyes.

The next moment, Carter pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "Chloe, you almost gave me a heart attack," he said, his voice trembling.

gripped his shirt as if

seems Luther and Taylor fought, and both likely went over the cliff. Whitney must have followed them. Chloe, you don't know how close you were

desperate, heart-wrenching cry. It was unlike anything I had ever heard

"I passed out. You were

me tighter, his grip unyielding. "Do you know how scared I was?

could

face gently. "I'm so sorry, Carl. I wasn't thinking. All I could focus on

Whitney. I forgot... I forgot

ever scare me like that again.

rough,

said softly, his hand gently stroking the back of my head. It felt like he was comforting me, but maybe he needed it just as

could not stop myself from asking, even though I

the waters below were too

but the sea is vast. Chloe, you need to prepare

my chest aching. Deep down, I already knew. That faint sliver of hope

my voice faint, "Thank you

What was the point

finally with her

You still have

pressed my face into his chest, letting the tears flow. "Yes, I still have you,

the words dissolving into

never got the chance to fall in love again, to

gentle, his gaze

does this always happen?" I choked out. "Carl, I had

this time, but just like before, I could only watch her

did everything you could. You're incredible, Chloe. You didn't fail her or anyone

to protect her," I said, my voice trembling. "I finally got her out of that place. I truly believed she could start over. It didn't matter if she loved someone or not, as long as

wiped the tears

For us, life is precious, but Whitney didn't see it that way. She had no desires left and hadn't been

did not respond, the weight of his words sinking in even as I struggled to

was Whitney's decision," Carter continued. "Even if it were you, no one-human or divine-could have stopped her. You did all you could. Don't blame yourself

know you're right,

there had been no hope from the start, there wouldn't be this

was safe. Her