Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe)

When I finally understood that Eleanor had orchestrated everything, the pieces fell into place. As I thought back over the time spent with her, it became clear.

She had always pushed me to learn how to make the dishes Carter loved. She even told me that after she was gone, if Carter ever wanted those meals, I should be the one to cook them for him.

Now everything made sense. She had been preparing me all along to carry on her legacy in the kitchen. Even though Carter would no longer have his mother with him, her spirit, her presence, would remain in the meals she had taught me to prepare.

Every mother loves her child.

Eleanor was far from perfect, but from the start to the end, she had given every ounce of her love to her son.

Even in death, her thoughts remained with him.

Had she not passed, she would have always stood between us.

Jeffrey's death had dealt her a heavy blow too.noveldrama

Though he had never loved her, he had been a piece of her life. And with his death, all the hope she had held on to faded away.

Carter held her close, tears soaking his shirt, trickling down her neck.

I stayed silent, simply standing by his side, offering my presence without words.

From a distance, Amber appeared, holding an umbrella above her. "Carter, please don't be sad. This was your mother's wish. She lived her life for you. As long as you and Chloe are happy, she has no regrets."

"Did she ever tell you what she wanted us to do with her remains?"

Amber's voice cracked, and her eyes were swollen from crying. "At first, she wanted to be buried beside your father, so she could haunt him forever. But later, she changed her mind. She wanted her ashes scattered in the ocean. Trapped in life, she hoped to be free in death, drifting with the wind, wherever it may lead her."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with sadness. The world around us seemed colorless, as though a storm cloud had settled over everything.

Our wedding had transformed into a funeral.

Luke and Eleanor-both lost to this storm.

The rain fell relentlessly, adding weight to this overwhelming tragedy.

That night, I fell ill with a high fever and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

In my dreams, people came to bid me goodbye-Grandma, Ethan, Jake, Jeffrey, and Eleanor. Their voices were soft, overlapping as the scenes around me shifted and changed without warning.

The dreams kept coming.

Wisteria appeared, wearing the same white dress from the day we first met. She had mimicked Snowflake's smile, calling out, "Chloe."

Back then, I had seen her as a sister, and I would have greeted her with joy.

But in this dream, she remained silent. Her face was pale, her eyes locked on mine, unblinking, full of something I couldn't understand.

In the shadows, I saw a tall figure. His face was hidden, but I recognized him immediately.

It was Silas. He was waiting for her.

Wisteria gave me one last lingering look before turning away and walking toward Silas. The two of them walked off together, hand in hand.

I felt trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wake up. My eyes wouldn't open.

Then, Luke appeared. He wore a white shirt, calm and elegant, a peaceful aura surrounding him.

His voice was gentle as he called my name. "Chloe, I'm leaving."

I grabbed at his shirt, desperate. "I'm sorry, Luke!"

I had loved him, and I had hated him, but I never wished for his death.

He ran his hand gently over my head. "Chloe, don't carry any burdens. Seeing

you alive makes me the happiest. Live on, and I will always protect you."

With a soft push, he urged me away. "Go back. Don't return here."

My body fell, plunging into the emptiness. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself gazing into Zoey's worried face.

"Chloe, if you don't wake up soon, I swear I'll bring in a shaman to call your soul back."

I wiped away the tears on my face, my throat raw as I asked, "What happened?"

"You kept crying out the names of those who are gone. No matter how hard we tried, you wouldn't wake up. It was as if something was holding you in a trance."

I remembered that last push, the one that Luke had given me. He had saved me.

My eyes scanned the room, landing on the crib next to me. My body felt as though

it had been weighed down, heavy and weak, but I tried to sit up.

Zoey quickly placed a gentle hand on my chest, urging me back down. "Don't move, don't move. You still have a fever."

Kate appeared, holding the babies in her arms. "The babies are fine. Don't worry."

Everett and Everly were gently

placed on the bed. Without

hesitation, they rolled toward me, their tiny bodies moving with a natural instinct. The sight of them safe and sound made my heart swell with relief, and I couldn't hold back my tears any longer,

Thank goodness they were okay.

I had nearly lost myself when Wisteria had mentioned they had become specimens.

Cradling both babies in my arms, I whispered over and over, "I'm so glad you're okay."

The babies babbled happily, unaware of what had just happened, saying things that didn't make much sense.

"By the way, where's Carter?" I asked, my voice still shaky.

"He's saying goodbye to his mother for the last time," Zoey replied softly.

I longed to get up and be with

Carter. This was the hardest

moment for him, but my body

too weak. It wasn't just the fever; I also had a mild concussion.

Although I had survived the ordeal, my body was still battered and broken.

Zoey wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug. "Chloe, congratulations. You've made it through."

For a moment, I sat still, lost in my thoughts. I looked up at her, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is it really over?"

"Yes, it's over. There will be no more trouble. You'll be safe now, at peace from now on," Zoey assured me.

Yet, despite her comforting words, my heart didn't feel at peace.

So many lives had quietly slipped away. Why?