Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 542 The Beauty of Life

Harlan had only recently learned about Zoey's identity and background. He had no knowledge of the entanglements between Bill, Nicholas, and Philippa, so it was only natural that he found the scene before him difficult to comprehend.

It felt like his entire worldview had just collapsed.

Since it wasn't my place to comment on matters between the elders, I simply cleared my throat lightly and said, "The entanglements between my mom and them aren't something that can be explained in just a few words. Just focus on yourself and stay out of other people's affairs."

"Harlan gradually snapped out of his daze. 'I don't fully understand, but I support it. They're divorced, after all-it was a mutual decision. They're free to do whatever they see fit."

The next second, he looked at me with a face full of despair. "Chloe, my Zoey wouldn't do something like this, would she?"

I sighed helplessly. "Relax. One fool is already enough trouble for her. What makes you think she's going to find a second one?"

"Chloe, I think you just insulted me, and I have proof."

Looking at Harlan, I finally understood why Janice had been so infuriated that she jumped into the river. If my husband were as clueless as he was, I'd probably do the same.

"Take your time digesting this. Nicholas is your mother-in-law's first love. He waited for her his whole life. My advice to you? Be smart and don't run your mouth."

This was all I could do to help him.

If Harlan could win over Philippa, he would already be halfway to winning over Zoey.

No matter how much Bill found faults with him, as long as Philippa approved, he would have no choice but to accept him as a son-in-law.

"Harlan, go figure it out yourself."

I turned and went back to the room. Carter still looked sluggish, likely woken up by Harlan while trying to catch up on sleep from the flight.

He lay on the bed, absentmindedly flipping Everett over like a turtle-first onto his back, then onto his stomach, and then back again.

After a few rounds of this, Everett finally had enough. Though he hadn't even learned to crawl yet, sheer frustration made him push himself forward two steps and slap Carter right on the chin.

Only then did Carter snap back to reality, a trace of confusion in his eyes. "What's wrong, Everett?"

I chuckled softly. "What's on your mind?"

Everett looked at me with an aggrieved expression, so I quickly scooped him into my arms and comforted him.

"Daddy didn't mean it."

sat up and gave a weary smile.

you

"Nothing. It's not important."

into his arms. "You're

was a father who had never loved him, while the other

of him under a different identity. Now that she was suddenly

man who valued emotions deeply, someone who had always internalized his

pressed a kiss to my hair. "Chloe,

told you, I don't blame her anymore. Don't be

"Chloe."

toward me with deep affection

up, we hadn't shared any real

too weak, and Carter had been

to hold back and end

had been

things happening one after

members passing away, constant changes. Neither

nor the energy for

en

all our focus had been on

were back in this small town, we could finally relax

and whispered his name softly. "Carl ...

we were about to kiss, something moved in

was now

and covered the little one's

long lashes fluttered against my palm, ticklish and

"Ah boo boo..."

to the side, Everly was chewing on her own big

an adorably

Carter with a

pulled her foot out

for the buttons on his shirt, trying to stuff

hands were still sticky

"You little glutton."

he skillfully prepared a bottle of formula milk with