Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 574 Goodbye, Taylor

He gripped Anna's chin with cold fingers, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Anna, I know you're miserable, but I have my own position to uphold. Over and over, I've put aside my hatred for the Sanders because of you. And yet ... you trample on my feelings. Is this how it's supposed to be?"

Anna tried to speak, but her words faltered.

"If I hadn't shown up, you would've followed her, wouldn't you? Anna, this ... this hurts."

Taylor's gaze shifted toward the window. Anna followed, her eyes locking onto the woman still standing outside. She looked so much like Chloe, but younger and fresher.

"Chloe ... "Anna whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

The moment she said the name, the reality hit her like a cold slap. Chloe was gone.

Taylor's hand jerked her back, pulling her from the moment. "Don't even think about running," he warned, his grip unyielding.

Anna's heart pounded in her chest. She could see what he was about to do. Panic flooded her veins. She pushed against his chest. "No, don't ... don't do this here."

"Anna," Taylor's voice was like ice, "you've forced my hand."

"No ... "

Outside, the snow danced in the cold air, swirling in delicate spirals. Through the tinted glass, they were hidden from view, but Anna felt exposed, vulnerable.

Her dignity, bit by bit, was crushed beneath Taylor's cold touch. Her thoughts drifted back to the days when he had respected her, protected her.

Why did people have to grow up? If she'd never known her true origins, maybe this wouldn't hurt so badly.

But time had a way of pushing them forward. No way to stop it.

Tears slipped down Anna's cheeks, warm against the cold. She gazed at the dark sky, searching for some kind of answer. Where could she go?

From that moment, she stopped thinking of running. Like a plant knowing its fate, she realized there was no escape, no way out.

She no longer held onto hope for tomorrow. If the Sanders were doomed, then when the last of them fell, she'd follow.

The final path would be theirs to walk together.

this wouldn't work for her. So, every so often, he had his brother visit to

"Try to smile for me, alright? My birthday's coming up. I could invite some friends over

didn't even look at him. Her face was stone.

It didn't matter anymore.

she didn't expect to

beat. She looked exactly like Chloe. The resemblance was uncanny. But younger. So

was the same softness Chloe

the woman asked,

flash of Chloe, covered

couldn't do

Carlyns were dangerous. She couldn't pull

Taylor would know if she tried to

woman's request. She wanted her to

skipped a beat, and she hurriedly shoved the woman into the

home earlier than usual. He must've known someone had been there, and he was careful not to

knew this was her chance to help

determined this time, even though she

shameful. But it was the only option

asked Taylor to carry her to the bathroom. She

bathroom, Anna wrapped herself in a robe and stood by the window, watching as the woman disappeared into

Anna thought, her eyes bitter. Don't

lost in the darkness now. There was no

the inevitable end of the Sanders, she still

gone. Ethan was gone. Now, even

bathroom, crying uncontrollably. To be alive felt like a sin; death

endure the pain of losing

... I'm so sorry.

was gone, and one by one, the Sanders family was

still felt a flicker of gratitude toward Taylor for the care he'd shown her over the years. He always gave her birthday gifts, and this time, she wanted to give

of gratitude to him before she would take

lifeless. She would cuddle close to him at night as