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 winter, the weather was mild. This wasn't her

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

"Taylor, where are we?"

"Jaford."

about world maps to immediately recognize it as the

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

no longer

froze, a sudden memory flashing in her mind-the first time

her, "This name belongs to

heart

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 that, we

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

herself. "Alright. I'll do whatever

White, the illegitimate daughter of James White from the Whites of Jaford. You went

had no choice. She

after securing her a new identity, passport, and legal documents did Taylor take her back to

Anna's excitement hadn't faded in the slightest.

ruffled her hair. "It's freezing out there. Put on

Anna nodded obediently.

who no longer exists. Outside,

"I understand."

Anna threw on her down coat and bolted outside without

now, the thought of escaping hadn't crossed her mind-she trusted Taylor

watching as she reached out to catch snowflakes in her

face. "This is the Snowville

wrapping a scarf snugly

winter

isn't

catch a cold easily."

beamed at him. "Thanks, Taylor. But aren't

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

"I'm fine."

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

sighed, knowing

"Alright. Otherwise, you won't be able

not? Then where is

a hotel, and it was only then that Anna