Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 527 Not Even a Moment With Jeffrey gone, I turned to leave, but then my gaze landed on Amber and Dominic standing in the distance.

Dominic, dressed in solemn white, kept to the shadows, his figure barely noticeable. He didn't want attention. His quiet presence was a tribute to Jeffrey.

Years ago, Jeffrey had unknowingly saved his father and the Carlyns, and Dominic had never forgotten that debt.

Despite their efforts to remain hidden, I noticed them, trying to stay out of sight behind a tree. They looked suspicious, as if they were up to something.

Amber's voice suddenly broke the stillness. "We're here to pay respects, not to steal anything. You shouldn't crouch and skulk around."

Dominic reached over and ruffled her hair. "Calm down. We'll get in once the Boltons are gone."

Their relationship had clearly grown. Amber's voice wasn't as sharp as it once

was.

It didn't surprise me. Though Amber had come to love Dominic a little later, they had eventually found each other.

Life is short, after all. In the end, when two people truly love each other, the past seems like something better left behind.

Dominic's history wasn't much different from mine, either. He, too, had been shaped by loss.

I walked over to them, speaking softly, "Amber, it's been a while."

Amber jumped, startled. The moment she saw me, her face flushed red with annoyance. "Chloe, are you crazy? Do you enjoy scaring people?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Scaring others isn't fun. But you, you're a riot. It's been forever since I had your homemade fruit juice. I was actually starting to miss it. Is that why you've been avoiding me? You don't want to make me any?"

The mention of fruit juice made her blush even deeper. "Don't you dare bring up fruit juice! You've already stolen my son. Isn't that enough?"

The Emerald Dragon organization had all but crumbled. Yael, the man once protected by the Carlyns, had returned to campus. He'd visit Everett and Everly, bringing them new toys he'd made with his own hands.

He wasn't as closed off as before. With so much talent, he even started live- streaming his carving sessions. He kept his face hidden, but I'd sometimes tune in. His streams often attracted tens of thousands of viewers.

Mostly women, who'd flood the comments with things like, "Kyah, your hands are perfect!"

"His voice is so calming!"

"Even without seeing his face, I'm pretty sure he's got abs!"

lift your shirt so I can screenshot your abs for

with rocks and

section, not a wishing well! Hey, cutie, I'm 56 years old with 30 years of cleaning experience. I make 450 dollars a month, can take care of kids and handle hard work. I'd love to date you-not for your body, but to help clean

take more than three minutes before I was completely freaked

he'd probably think I was obsessed with

behind the screen was blissfully unaware of all the

intricate crafts. On quiet afternoons, when the weight of the world lifted just a little, he'd sit with

toy more than just a gift—it was a piece

I watched the kids play,

anything about Taylor?" The question left my lips before I

missing, and yet I couldn't stop searching.

exchanged a long look before Amber spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're still looking. Sometimes I wish we'd

Jeffrey, just go ahead. He asked us not to make a big deal. After today, there's no need for any more

always the

uncomfortably. Though he had never directly

the weight of

connection seemed to hangover

distant. "He probably didn't want to see us. It's enough that

scoffed bitterly, her words sharp. "I don't want to see him either. If it weren't

is all Brynn's doing. Jeffrey was a victim in all

gaze lost somewhere far beyond us. "Look around. Who here isn't a

truth Carter had revealed to me was darker and crueler than I had

someone be so callous, so intent on

trying to move past the discomfort in the air, "The organization is falling apart. You've already torn through so many of

let out a hollow laugh, her eyes distant. "What's next? Whatever life throws at us. Wherever my

woman I once knew. Amber had become something else

truly understand. "People like us don't

past. Not really."

both. "But Yael just wants his

really going to leave him

in

Boltons had

over. His presence was a small relief

softened the moment she saw Everett. She leaned down and gently cupped his face in her