Even after Her Death (Chloe and Luke) novel Chapter 411

To avoid any delays, Carter immediately sent the samples for testing. The heavy rain helped calm his emotions bit by bit.

When he looked at me again, his gaze softened. "You must be starving. Let's go home and eat."

I nodded.

Ever since learning that Damian was working for Amber, Carter had changed our location to avoid her surveillance.

This time, he brought me to another villa, a place only Harlan and his wife knew about for now.

When we arrived, Harlan's face was dark and stormy. Whatever he and Zoey had talked about in the car clearly hadn't gone well.

Zoey, however, didn't seem to care. Used to her carefree ways, she pouted and said, "Ugh, the takeout had gone cold. Good thing I was smart enough to order another batch on the way back."

Harlan remained silent as he stared at her.

Carter's mood wasn't much better. Until the test results came in, he remained tense and irritable.

"I'm going to change."

Harlan followed him upstairs.

Zoey pulled a can of soda from the takeout bag and handed it to me. "The food's a bust, but at least the drinks are fine. Don't let it get you down. Life's too short—we should make every day a happy one."

I didn't want soda. What I really wanted was alcohol.

Carter probably felt the same.

I went to the wine cellar and brought out some bottles. Harlan had likely gone upstairs to question Carter about Zoey, but I couldn't be sure if Carter would tell him anything.

When they came back down, I pulled Carter aside and asked him, "Did you say anything?"

He shook his head. "This matter isn't just about your rebirth; it also involves Zoey's secret. I'm not in the habit of exposing someone else's secrets. It's up to her to tell him if she wants to."

I figured Zoey wouldn't tell Harlan. She seemed to live each day as if it were her last. There was no way she'd reveal the truth.

It wasn't wise to get entangled with someone who was never meant to be part of your life.

She kept saying she wanted a relationship, but in reality, she was letting go.

By cutting off all ties, she ensured no one would grieve when she left.

That's why she acted so coldly toward Harlan, always picking fights and refusing to show him any warmth. She didn't want him to fall for her.

She knew she couldn't offer him a future, so she chose to extinguish the spark before it became a flame.

She was always a kind woman.

I reached out and gently cupped Carter's face. I wanted to cheer him up, but his eyes were clouded and lifeless.

He felt ashamed of the blood that connected him to Amber.

Softly, I said, "Let's eat."

He must not have been eating properly these past few days—his weight loss was evident.

Staring out at the storm, he murmured, "The results will be ready tomorrow."

I pulled him to the sofa and handed him a glass of wine.

Let's not worry about tomorrow and drink to our hearts' content tonight.

Zoey raised her glass of red wine. "Wow, this is good! How did I never realize wine tasted so amazing before?"

Although she was depressed previously, she neither smoked nor drank.

Harlan, still visibly irritated, shot her a glance. "Don't drink too much."

She pouted. "Mind your own business."

Harlan wanted to say something, but in the end, he joined Carter in a drinking contest.

It had been ages since I had last indulged, but tonight, I needed it.

From barely escaping death on the island to living in constant fear at the Carlyn Residence, it was only when I was with Carter that I felt truly safe.

Zoey appeared carefree, but I knew it was just a facade.

We'd all been brought together by our own struggles, and tonight, we sought solace in the bottom of a glass.

Zoey raised her glass again. "Here's to your future! May you guys live long and happy lives."

Carter, I'll wait with you for the results. Please, don't be sad.