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.

my grandmother. Now, I had

me, made

master left strict instructions. You must take care

laughter had filled the house. Now, silence pressed in from every side. I looked up and saw Everett standing still, his gaze distant, his eyes searching for something

light and fleeting, brushed over me, like a hand resting softly atop my

for him. Of course, I saw

grandson behind. He couldn't leave me behind. Not yet. Not before he made sure we would be

now, he was smiling, his voice filled with the same kindness he had always carried. "Chloe, don't cry. I'm only going where

trembling lips, "I'll take care

draft stirred the air, lifting a few strands of my

settled. The house remained

had let go. He had

twins let out sudden, piercing cries, their laughter vanishing as if snatched away

nannies sprang into

formula, and the other checked

milk and comfort

one of the nannies murmured. "They're not wet, and they

myself upright with their help. "No. Give them

obeyed, exchanging uncertain

"Tell the butler to make

nanny frowned.

parted, but the words stuck. It took effort to force them

darting between me

grief had cursed this house,

for questions. I waved them off. "Just do

"Yes, ma'am."

them gently. Their tiny faces were blotchy with tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats. I gave them the softest smile I could

exhaustion soon won over, and their breathing evened into

sleep did not come