Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 557 I'm Back

Taylor boarded the ship, but his heart remained unsettled long after that kiss.

At 16, he was no longer a boy-he understood what it meant to be drawn to someone. If Anna had grown up under normal circumstances, she'd probably be in middle school now, learning about these things too.

But growing up on the island had kept her pure, untouched by such thoughts.

Maybe that was for the best. He liked her carefree spirit, the way she did whatever she wanted without hesitation.

This was the only kind of freedom he could give her.

Right now, she was like an elementary school kid about to go on a field trip,

bursting with excitement about the world beyond the island.

She had been taken there at five years old, cut off from everything outside. Now,

she couldn't wait to leave and experience it all for herself.

Throughout the journey, she tugged on Taylor's sleeve, unable to contain her excitement. "Taylor, look! Seagulls!"

"Mm."

"Wow! Dolphins!"

She pulled him toward the deck. Against the golden hues of the sunset, a pod of dolphins leaped from the water, their sleek bodies gliding through the air before plunging back in, sending shimmering droplets flying onto the deck.

Anna burst into laughter. "Taylor, you're all wet!"

Taylor looked at her bright, innocent smile and, for the first time in a long while, found himself smiling just as sincerely. "You too."

Only when he was with Anna did he feel like he could let down his guard, and drop the masks he always wore.

Even drenched from head to toe, nothing could dampen her excitement. She spun around on the deck, twirling in the fading light like a flower blooming after the rain.

"Taylor, I finally made it off the island!"

Taylor opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. He didn't want to ruin her happiness.

That night, Anna took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and curled up against him, falling asleep in his arms.

After a long journey with multiple stops, they finally arrived in Jaford.

remembered Snowville's endless winters-snowfall beginning in deep winter and lasting for what felt like forever. But here, even in

instinctively grabbed Taylor's hand, like

"Taylor, where are we?"

"Jaford."

immediately recognize it as the capital

him. "But didn't you say you were taking me to see my family?

is no longer

memory flashing in her mind-the first time she met Wisteria at five years

then, Wisteria had told her, "This

Anna's heart

you appear as Anna, your family will find out. My family will find out. Anna..." Taylor hesitated, guilt flickering in his eyes. "This is the price of your freedom. From now on, you have to live as someone else. If you don't want

there. The fact that she was even alive was

steeled herself. "Alright. I'll do whatever

her a folder. "From now on, you're Alice White, the illegitimate daughter

didn't like it, but she had no choice. She forced herself to memorize every

a new identity, passport, and legal documents did Taylor take

excitement hadn't faded in the slightest. Pressed against the window, she watched

sight and ruffled her hair. "It's freezing out there. Put on your down jacket before

Anna nodded obediently.

on, think of Anna as someone who no longer exists. Outside, I'll call

"I understand."

the cabin door opened, Anna threw on her down coat and bolted outside without even bothering to zip it

of escaping hadn't crossed her mind-she

watching as she reached

"This is the Snowville

crouched down and zipped up her coat before wrapping a scarf snugly around her neck. "You've lived on

winter in

isn't

catch a cold easily."

But aren't you cold? You're barely

he had bundled her up tightly, he was only wearing a long cashmere coat, which looked

"I'm fine."

want to take a quick

knowing he

won't be able to sleep tonight. But Chloe isn't at the

not? Then where

was only then that Anna suddenly