Even after Her Death (Chloe and Luke) novel Chapter 408

By the time we finished, both of us were drenched in sweat.

I leaned against Carter, feeling the warmth of his body. He kissed the top of my head before carrying me to the bathroom, where he carefully helped me clean up.

My makeup had long since been washed away. However, my face was slightly red and itchy, likely irritated from wearing the makeup for too long.

Carter's gaze lingered on the marks on my skin. His eyes softened with a hint of guilt. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I couldn't control myself earlier."

I shook my head and traced my fingers along his handsome features tenderly.

"I'll find a way to fix your voice," he promised.

I nodded. As long as I could see him again, losing my voice forever wouldn't matter.

Dipping my finger into the water, I wrote two words on the fogged-up glass, "Damian."

The past two days had been so chaotic that I hadn't had the chance to ask what happened after my disappearance.

Carter understood my unspoken question and began explaining in his calm voice. "The day he sent you away, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Shortly after, I got news of the car accident—your car had collided with another, caught fire, and plunged into the ocean."

Hearing this, I instinctively grabbed his hand. He must have been devastated at that time.

Carter patted the back of my hand. "It's all in the past now."

I mouthed silently, "What about Damian?"

"He was injured. Though they pulled him out of the water alive, he ended up in the ICU. He only pulled through these past two days."

Damian must have known I had already been sent away. Knowing he had betrayed Carter and couldn't escape Amber's grasp, he chose to end his own life.

The fact that he survived was a miracle in itself.

I thought of the tall, silent man who had shielded Carter and me more than once.

I gestured to Carter, "Carl, don't blame him. He had no other choice."

Carter's expression darkened slightly. "You don't blame him? He deceived me and sent you to Yael."

I responded with gestures, "He had no other option. Amber is the real mastermind."

Even though I had hinted at Amber's attempts to kill me in my messages, the Doltons meant something different to him.

They had never hurt him directly. Deep down, I feared Carter might take their side, that my place in his heart wasn't enough, and that the Doltons could drive a wedge between us.

My thoughts spiraled into unease.

Carter interrupted my turmoil, holding my hand tightly as he spoke softly. "I understand."

I met his gaze, listening as he quietly recounted, "Damian was rushed to the hospital, unconscious, while your ‘body' sank into the sea. Everyone thought you were dead."

I squeezed his fingers and mouthed, "What about you?

"When I first got the news, I couldn't accept it. I sent countless people to search the waters. They searched day and night but found nothing."