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.

year ago, I buried my grandmother.

me, made me feel like I belonged.

her voice gentle. "Ma'am, the master left strict instructions. You must take care of

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 unseen. Then, slowly, he turned

air. A warmth, light and fleeting, brushed

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

me behind. Not yet. Not before he made sure we would be all

maybe even now, he was smiling, his voice filled with the same kindness he had always carried. "Chloe, don't

whispered through trembling lips, "I'll take care of Everett and Everly. I swear. So

stirred the air, lifting a few strands of my

The house

knew. He had let go. He had truly

twins let out sudden, piercing cries, their laughter

nannies sprang

rushed to prepare formula, and the other checked

refused milk and comfort alike. Their

one of the nannies murmured. "They're not wet, and they just ate. Could they be sick? Should we call the

my face, pushing myself upright with their help. "No. Give

but obeyed,

"Tell

older nanny frowned. "For what,

It took effort to

between me and the restless

in their minds, grief had cursed this house, following us

I waved them off.

"Yes, ma'am."

were blotchy with tears, their cries still hiccupping in their throats. I gave them the softest smile

understand. Their exhaustion soon

sleep did not come