Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 528 Dimple After Jeffrey's passing, the Bolton estate settled into a quietude that seemed almost unnatural. The place, once bustling with life, now stood still, as if mourning its own loss. Carter took charge, pouring himself into the restoration of the house. Every corner was carefully examined, and any lingering remnants of danger were cleared away. The house, though still bearing its old bones, had a renewed air, as if it had shed its past like a snake shedding its skin.

We moved back in, and though the familiar walls remained, the interior had been transformed.

The old and creaky floors were now polished and gleaming. The rooms were modern and bright, with an inviting warmth that had been missing before.

Sheila's room-the one where Wisteria had spent so many nights-was gone. In its place stood a new structure, sleek and minimal, yet filled with an odd sense of finality.

Adam, forever changed by the losses he had endured, was a shadow of the man he used to be. His eyes, once full of life and mischief, now seemed lost. He had retreated to a small cottage in the backyard, choosing solitude over company, finding solace in prayer and meditation. The outside world no longer seemed to interest him, and he had distanced himself from it completely.

Luke, on the other hand, had stepped into a role of responsibility that he had once shied away from.

With Carter focused on the wedding, Luke took charge of the company, managing the day-to-day operations with a newfound maturity.

It was clear that everything the family had been through had shaped him, and though his transformation had come at a high price, there was no denying he had grown.

When Jeffrey first passed, Carter and I had agreed it wasn't the right time for a wedding.

But the weight of waiting had become too much for him. The moment had arrived, and he couldn't delay it any longer.

When I had arrived in Zoey's body, Chloe's death had cast a long shadow over everything. We had no ceremony, just a quiet signing of papers. No celebration. No joy. It felt like a hollow victory, and the decision to forgo the wedding had stretched on for far longer than I had anticipated.

Over a year had passed, and the wait had almost broken me.

The news of Jeffrey's death had remained a family secret, known only to those closest to us.

But Carter, determined to move on and make a life together, began planning the wedding with all the fervor of someone who had waited far too long.

Many of the details had already been sorted out in the previous months, and now, our wedding was just around the corner.

Amber, always true to her word, arrived to help with the children.

I was sitting under the shade of a tree when she showed up. She carefully laid the kids down on a soft blanket. The sunlight streamed through the leaves above, casting dappled patterns on their faces. The warmth was gentle, perfect for a lazy afternoon.

Carter had planted rows of flowers around the yard, making the air thick with their sweet fragrance. It seemed as if the garden itself was celebrating.

Birds fluttered from branch to branch, their songs filling the air, while the squirrels played in the trees. Everett and Everly giggled uncontrollably whenever one of the little animals darted across the yard.

I sat with the children as I went over the wedding details with the planners.

Carter was determined to give me the wedding I had never had, one that would wash away the painful memories of my past life. A wedding that would be ours-a celebration of love, for all to see.

With the Bolton family's reach, we knew the guest list would be a large one.

detail had

invitations and party favors were carefully chosen for each

I designed the invitations myself, hoping to make

Gardners and the Pearsons were families of wealth, where the shine of diamonds or the glint of gold would never win their attention. Luxuries were nothing more than a

at Everett and Everly's tiny feet, so soft and new. I pressed their soles gently into the warm red clay, and then, one by one, I stamped each invitation with

was a small gesture, but it felt

it, I didn't hear Amber approach until

"Making invitations."

gave me a questioning look. "Who makes invitations

thought I'd do something different. You're here, so don't

on her lips. "You really

Help me out. You can stamp

to me. I'm not cutting corners. They'll love getting

her head, still skeptical. "Why not just do handprints

handprints? People will think I'm running an

full advantage

all, she had once wanted

routine She fed the kids, changed their diapers with a speed

suggested practice.

know you were

seen her as someone hard-edged and distant. But

realize

still a mother of two,

the day slipped toward evening, Carter walked in, his presence a

"Carl!"

hesitate. I ran straight to him, throwing my arms around him and

head against his chest, just wanting to

gently, his voice soft.

arms tighter around him, unwilling to let go. "I don't care. I

It's been one day. Did you

"I did."

wanted was to hold on to what we had. I didn't know

I hold nothing back. I tell them

how often they fill

leaving anything unsaid because, when the

voice my

too

to grow old with