Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 526 Goodbye We sent Jeffrey off, the final step of a long journey. Everything had been planned by him, down to the smallest detail—his burial beside his first wife.

It wasn't in the Bolton family plot, but in a quiet valley, where the air was crisp and the wildflowers bloomed in abundance.

There were no speeches, no grand ceremony. It was just us, the immediate family, standing in silent respect as he was laid to rest.

Carter spoke first, breaking the stillness. "He always said we didn't need to visit on holidays. He owed her too much. She spent her life tied down, trapped by the Bolton name. She never knew a moment of peace. But now, in death, he can finally make it up to her. He has all the time in the world to share with her, to explore the world they never had."

A man who had spent his whole life bound by duty-who would've guessed that in the end, he'd choose to let go?

When the rich are buried, it's always a grand affair-the best time, the best place, the perfect conditions for prosperity and family legacy. People consult experts, check the stars, and ensure that everything is just right.

But Jeffrey? He didn't care about any of that.

He spent his years working to preserve the Bolton legacy. But on the day he chose to die, he was free.

Carter wiped away the tear at my cheek. "Dad said not to cry, this isn't an end. It's a new beginning."

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

"It's beautiful here," Carter continued. "The birds, the flowers... He won't be alone."

"Yeah."

It didn't feel like a funeral. It felt more like a quiet goodbye.

We set the tribute and the wreaths, and that was all.

Everett and Everly had been still, calm in their stroller. But then, they started laughing.

Their tiny hands reached up, swiping at the air, their eyes focused on something only they could see.

Above them, two butterflies danced-one pure white, the other bright with color. Maybe they didn't see butterflies at all.

The white one landed gently on Carter's shoulder, while the colorful one fluttered in front of me.

Suddenly, I remembered Jeffrey's words. "Your mother-in-law always had a love for beauty. Even if she turned into a butterfly, she'd still be the most beautiful one in the garden."

The white butterfly gently landed on Carter's shoulder, as if a soft hand had rested there, offering a quiet blessing. It seemed to whisper, "The Boltons are yours now", a weight passing from one pair of hands to another.

The colorful butterfly hovered near me, its wings flicking with a deliberate grace. It felt like it was studying me, examining the life I had led. Jeffrey must have told it everything—the trials, the twists, the paths I'd taken.

I forced back the lump in my throat, my voice thick with emotion. "Jeffrey, don't worry. I'll take care of the kids and Carter." I wanted to believe it myself, but the weight of his absence was already pressing down.

The butterfly hovered over the dessert beside the gravestone, resting for a moment. Carter had prepared it as a small tribute to Jeffrey's wife, remembering her fondness for sweets. It was a simple, quiet gesture, but somehow, it felt like the most meaningful one.

pausing for long. It danced with the breeze, as if the world were a

ran through a bustling night market, laughing as she held candied apple in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other.

who spoke softly, offering wisdom in gentle tones,

butterfly drifted past every Bolton descendant,

for a moment before it moved on, one last farewell to

were done, it returned to the colorful butterfly, their reunion quiet but

paused again, fluttering its wings before

fought to bring into the world, the one she had given up everything

the dark truth about the twins. The old hag had

eight years of

clung to life, his body broken, his legs fractured, his spirit shattered too. He was like

part was the resemblance he looked so much like a young Jeffrey. The old hag had kept him close, as if he were some kind

to bear a child

with wealth

They were a perfect match-both

path. He had fallen for a poor flower seller, and Commander's eyes had

to the marriage would make Jeffrey see her as the one he needed to

as a sister. She had given everything her time, her

the Commander. But that

flower seller,

for the woman only deepened, while her

she was with him, the colder her heart

pulling her further away from

love that hurt the most-couples

seen them at the temple, Jeffrey with his pregnant wife, his arm around her as he whispered soft words of affection. The tenderness between them

everything she had longed

my grandmother had not been trying to please Commander. She had

pregnant and seeking blessings. My grandmother's eyes darkened with jealousy as she watched Mrs. Carlyn

grandmother. The hag, consumed by the jealousy she had carried for

saw Mrs. Carlyn Senior, he did

to her beauty. But it wasn't just that-he admired her kindness, something he hadn't found in his own life. He grew to care for her, and he had plans

inside her. She

woman, especially

destroy Mrs. Carlyn. She sent her into another man's bed,

and emotionally. With that, she crushed any hope the

apart the Carlyns'

shattered.

a man too weak to stand on his own, easily swayed by those around him. My grandmother, though strong and determined, had no illusions about love. They cared for each other, but there was a burden

hoping to break his faith in loyalty and love. This subtle manipulation set the stage for the Carlyns' revenge. My grandfather's

it all, the one person Brynn hated above all else was Mrs. Bolton-the woman whom

to send him women. Women she secretly drugged, hoping he would fall for them. But every plan crumbled