Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 524 Bring Joy and Sorrow No matter how much I resisted, Jeffrey had already made his decision, and there was nothing I could do to sway him.

All I could do was stand by as he meticulously sorted out his estate, allocating stocks, properties, valuables, and everything he owned, ensuring that everyone at the Boltons was treated fairly.

He even set aside a special inheritance for the twins, making sure they would be taken care of even in his absence.

Luke stayed quiet, knowing he was the son of one of the vanished twins.

He wanted to follow Jeffrey, but Jeffrey, prioritizing his father's safety, firmly refused to let him come along. On the day of departure, I clutched Carter's sleeve. "Carl, can't you stop Dad?"

He pulled me into his arms, one hand resting on my waist while the other brushed against my cheek. "Chloe, I'll do everything I can to keep him safe, but if he's set on throwing his life away, there's nothing I can do. You know as well as I do-you can't stop a man who's already decided to die."

My eyes brimmed with sorrow. Deep down, I knew he was right, yet the thought of losing someone dear to me was unbearable.

"Be good. This is the path Dad has chosen. Life is precious to you and me, but for him, it has become a burden. After witnessing life's highs and lows, and enduring countless storms, he has already come to terms with it.

"Stay home and look after the children-leave the rest to me, alright?"

Though I wished to see him off, my frail body and the painful lesson from last time kept me from stepping into danger again.

I stood on my toes and pressed a soft kiss to Carter's cheek. "Be careful and come back soon."

"I will."

He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before leaving with Jeffrey, while my heart remained in turmoil.

In just over a year, I had endured too many goodbyes, too many painful partings-and I still couldn't fully accept Whitney's death.

Though it had been her decision, the memory of her hand slowly slipping from mine still haunted me. It felt as if someone had violently torn apart the bond we shared by blood, leaving behind an ache so deep it was almost unbearable.

I often find myself dreaming of that night-the moment Whitney leaped from the cliff, replaying over and over in my mind.

If she were still here and knew I had safely given birth to my two babies, she would have been happy, wouldn't she?

But that's how life is. Some people step into your world like a beautiful surprise, only to vanish just as suddenly, whether in a blaze of drama or in quiet silence.

In the end, you're the one left behind, clinging onto the memories-whether they bring joy or sorrow. The little ones are now over four months old. Everett has already mastered rolling over, while Everly, despite her best efforts, still looks like a tiny turtle stuck on its back, limbs flailing helplessly.

gave

poked her cheek with his chubby fingers before flashing

truly are like little

stepped foot outside Bolton Residence in over a month, yet spending every day with them fills me with a

perfect today, and the cherry blossoms in

the flowers. Carter had personally built a handmade swing for them, carefully placing thick cushions on top

in the

cherry blossoms drifting to the ground like soft pink snow, painting a scene straight

this beautiful, I can't help but wish they were all here to

rescued

you worried about Grandpa too?" Luke's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He stepped

thinner than before, almost like a

defiance and arrogance that once filled his eyes had faded, replaced by quiet

with a quiet grace, exuding the poise

"Have you fully

his illness had been caught early, and he had responded well to

his

in ruins, while Carter had been constantly on the move for my sake. Jeffrey was aging, and the weight of the Boltons now rested squarely on his

changed since our first meeting in Jaford. He no longer clung to calling me Chloe as if he had finally come to terms with reality and respected my decision. The regrets of the past

"That's good."

day when I could speak with Luke so naturally

love or resentment-just a quiet familiarity, like

his arms. The twins, however, had very different reactions to him. Everly remained content in his embrace, while Everett, on the

reaching out to grab his tie clip. Luke gazed at

your smile," I murmured. "I remember when you were little, you used to

by love-cherished by my family, even adored by Jeffrey from

be an exaggeration to say that my childhood had been filled with warmth and

the cherry blossom tree

felt as

three brothers running

yard of the

echoed as their parents

scolding them playfully yet