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.

deep winter and lasting for what felt like forever. But here, even in

of the car, she instinctively grabbed Taylor's hand, like a

"Taylor, where are we?"

"Jaford."

knew enough about world maps to immediately recognize it as the capital

up at him. "But didn't you say you were taking me to see my

identity is no longer safe. You

mind-the first time she met Wisteria at

then, Wisteria had told her, "This name belongs to

heart clenched with

his eyes. "This is the price of your freedom. From now on, you have to live as someone else.

Carlyns' enemies were still out there. The fact that she was

herself. "Alright. I'll do whatever you

Alice White, the illegitimate daughter of James White from

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

and legal documents

slightest. Pressed against the window, she watched the scenery

freezing out there. Put on your down jacket before we get out. And don't run

Anna nodded obediently.

Anna as someone who

"I understand."

the cabin door opened, Anna threw on her down coat and bolted outside

escaping hadn't crossed her mind-she

up, watching as she reached out to catch snowflakes

"This

a scarf snugly around her neck. "You've lived on an island for

experienced winter in

isn't used

catch a cold easily."

Taylor. But aren't you cold? You're barely

only wearing a long cashmere coat, which looked thin and inadequate for

"I'm fine."

go to the Sander Residence now? I just want to take a quick look at Ethan and

sighed, knowing he

able to talk her out of it. "Alright. Otherwise, you won't be

Then where

to a hotel, and it was only then that