Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 525 Farewell A weight settled in my chest, cold and crushing. I could not wait any longer-I had to call Carter.

The phone rang. Then, at last, his voice came through, rough, and weary. "Chloe."

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. "Dad, he ... "

Carter's silence stretched before he forced the words out. "He's gone."

The phone slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

I had known this moment would come. Jeffrey prepared everything, leaving no loose ends. The signs were there. The outcome had always been certain.

But knowing and accepting were two different things.

The finality of it struck like a blade, sharp and merciless.

I dropped to my knees, my hands covering my face. Sobs broke free, and tears spilled between my fingers. My whole body shook.

He had been a good man. A pillar of quiet strength. For 20 years, he had stood in my life like an unwavering presence, and I had come to love him as a grandfather.

If he had stayed-weak, frail, bound to a hospital bed—it wouldn't have mattered.

He still would have been here. There would have been someone to visit, someone to miss.

Now, he was gone, and with him, the last thread holding the Boltons together had begun to fray.

"Jeffrey, why did it have to be this way?"

His health had failed him, but medicine had come so far. The Boltons had wealth,

power, and connections. They could have kept him here a little longer.

But Carter had been right. No one could hold back a man who had already chosen to go.

I buried my grandmother. Now, I had to bury Jeffrey,

who had loved me, guided me, made me feel like I belonged. Gone. "Jeffrey...

"Ma'am, the master left strict instructions. You must take care of yourself. Please ... don't let

house. Now, silence pressed in from every side. I looked up and saw Everett standing still, his gaze distant, his eyes searching for something unseen. Then, slowly, he

A warmth, light and fleeting, brushed over

face, searching for him. Of course, I saw nothing.

his grandson behind. He couldn't leave me behind. Not yet. Not before he made

same kindness he had always carried. "Chloe, don't cry. I'm only going where she

throat, and I whispered through trembling lips, "I'll take care of Everett

draft stirred the air, lifting a few strands of my hair

curtains shifted, then settled. The house remained

let go.

their laughter vanishing as if snatched away by

nannies sprang

rushed to prepare formula, and the

infants refused milk and comfort

wet, and they just

myself upright with their help. "No. Give

but obeyed, exchanging uncertain

weakly. "Tell the

frowned. "For what,

stuck. It took effort to force them out.

women stiffened, eyes darting between

minds, grief had cursed this house, following us like

patience for questions. I waved them off.

"Yes, ma'am."

faces were blotchy with tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats.

to understand. Their exhaustion soon won over, and their breathing evened into

not come for