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."

a weary smile. "Sorry, I

were you thinking

"Nothing. It's not important."

the side and leaned into his arms. "You're thinking about

while the other was

these years, Eleanor had been taking care of him under a different identity. Now that she was suddenly gone, how

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

arm around my waist and pressed a kiss to

Don't be sad. You still have me, Everett, and

"Chloe."

leaned in toward me with deep affection

we hadn't shared any real

my body had been too weak, and Carter had been

and

had been too many

things happening one after

passing away, constant changes. Neither

the time nor

en

had been on taking

this small town, we could finally relax

and whispered his

were about to kiss, something moved

point, Everett had crawled between us and was now sitting upright, staring at us with his large, innocent

pulled away and covered the

His long lashes fluttered against my palm,

"Ah boo boo..."

side, Everly was chewing on her own big

made an adorably silly

Carter with a resigned

and pulled her

then reached for the buttons on his shirt, trying to stuff them into

were still

"You little glutton."

arm holding the baby, he skillfully prepared a bottle of formula milk with the other,