Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 537 I Will Always Protect You

When I finally understood that Eleanor had orchestrated everything, the pieces fell into place. As I thought back over the time spent with her, it became clear.

She had always pushed me to learn how to make the dishes Carter loved. She even told me that after she was gone, if Carter ever wanted those meals, I should be the one to cook them for him.

Now everything made sense. She had been preparing me all along to carry on her legacy in the kitchen. Even though Carter would no longer have his mother with him, her spirit, her presence, would remain in the meals she had taught me to prepare.

Every mother loves her child.

Eleanor was far from perfect, but from the start to the end, she had given every ounce of her love to her son.

Even in death, her thoughts remained with him.

Had she not passed, she would have always stood between us.

Jeffrey's death had dealt her a heavy blow too.

Though he had never loved her, he had been a piece of her life. And with his death, all the hope she had held on to faded away.

Carter held her close, tears soaking his shirt, trickling down her neck.

I stayed silent, simply standing by his side, offering my presence without words.

From a distance, Amber appeared, holding an umbrella above her. "Carter, please don't be sad. This was your mother's wish. She lived her life for you. As long as you and Chloe are happy, she has no regrets."

"Did she ever tell you what she wanted us to do with her remains?"

Amber's voice cracked, and her eyes were swollen from crying. "At first, she wanted to be buried beside your father, so she could haunt him forever. But later, she changed her mind. She wanted her ashes scattered in the ocean. Trapped in life, she hoped to be free in death, drifting with the wind, wherever it may lead her."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with sadness. The world around us seemed colorless, as though a storm cloud had settled over everything.

Our wedding had transformed into a funeral.

lost to this

adding weight to this overwhelming

a high fever and

and Eleanor. Their voices

The dreams kept coming.

same white dress from the day we first met. She had mimicked Snowflake's smile,

I had seen her as a sister,

remained silent. Her face was pale, her eyes locked on mine, unblinking, full

I saw a tall figure. His face was

was Silas. He was waiting

turning away and walking toward Silas. The two

how hard I tried, I couldn't wake up. My eyes

wore a white shirt, calm and elegant, a peaceful aura

gentle as he called my name. "Chloe,

grabbed at his shirt, desperate.

I had hated him, but I

ran his hand gently over my head. "Chloe, don't

alive makes me the happiest. Live on, and I will always protect

urged me away.

the emptiness. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself gazing into Zoey's worried

if you don't wake up soon, I swear I'll bring in a shaman to call your soul

the tears on my face, my throat raw as

names of those who are gone. No matter how hard we tried, you wouldn't wake up. It was as if

the one that Luke had given me. He

the room, landing on the crib next to

had been weighed down, heavy and weak, but

on my chest, urging me back down.

the babies in her arms. "The babies