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.

her. So, every so often, he had

day, breaking the silence, "Try to smile for me, alright? My birthday's coming up. I could invite some friends over and make it

even look at him. Her face

It didn't matter anymore.

expect to see

front of Anna, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked exactly like Chloe.

eyes were kind and warm. It was the same softness

you need help?" the woman

Chloe, covered in blood,

couldn't

Carlyns were dangerous. She couldn't pull this innocent

there were cameras around. Taylor would know if

to the woman's request. She wanted her to leave

returned. Her heart skipped a beat,

must've known someone had been

knew this was her chance to help the woman

determined this time, even though

do was shameful. But it was the only option

to carry her to the

Anna wrapped herself in a robe and stood by the window, watching as the

Anna thought, her eyes bitter.

was lost in the darkness now. There

knew the inevitable end of the Sanders, she still couldn't bear the moment of its

gone. Ethan was gone.

be alive

endure the pain of losing

her chest. "Chloe ... I'm so

she knew was gone, and one by one, the Sanders

everything, Anna 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

final act of gratitude to him before she would take her own

She would cuddle close to him at night as they