Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 449

The sunlight illuminated Taylor's face, cold and unreadable, casting no warmth.

His brow furrowed, and his long, dark lashes concealed the emotions hidden behind his eyes.

He still wore his wedding shirt, pristine and white, paired with a wine-red bow tie.

Stains of dried blood tarnished the shirt, and dust clung to his clothes, a reminder of the long hours spent running without rest.

I once found his smile unsettling, almost unnatural, as if it never truly reached his eyes. But now, standing there without a smile, he seemed enveloped in a tragic, cold light, like a figure in the moon's shadow—isolated and sorrowful.

Before Whitney collapsed, he kneeled beside her, cradling her fragile form in his arms.

Whitney, unable to bear the pain, bit into his shoulder, sobbing silently as tears flowed uncontrollably.

Taylor didn't flinch or pull away. Instead, he held her tighter, one hand gently cradling the back of her head. His voice was soft, tender. "It's okay. I'm here."

Whitney was so innocent, so pure—he would protect her from any stain, not letting even a single drop of blood touch her.

He would not let her be trapped in guilt or sorrow.

If blame must be placed, if hatred must be directed, let it be at him.

He was willing to go to hell, to give his life in exchange for hers.

He only hoped that fate would give Whitney a way out, that she wouldn't lose all hope. He wanted her to live freely, without the burden of this nightmare ...

He had never chosen this path, this captivity.

But if it was the only way to keep Whitney safe, he would carry the weight of every sin, just to shield her, his one light in this dark world.

Josh, the man Taylor had stabbed, didn't die instantly. The knife remained lodged in his body, and blood soaked his clothes rapidly.

Kate, nearly losing consciousness several times, fought to stay awake by digging her nails into her thigh.

She feared that if she passed out, she wouldn't be there to witness Josh's final moments.

Even though her thoughts were clouded, there was nothing she could do.

All she could do was watch Josh bleed out, her own tears falling freely.

Josh struggled for every breath, crawling inch by inch toward me.

I watched the man who once loved me, hated me, and cursed me with the most hurtful words. The man I should've called father.

As a child, I had thought of him as the strongest, most comforting figure in the world.

When had his hair turned gray? When had his strength faded?

He had broken his leg, dragging himself across the ground like a frail, helpless creature.

My body reacted before my mind could process it—I moved forward and crouched beside him.

I didn't know what to say. It was as if a thousand words were trapped inside me.

But at the same time, it felt like an ocean separated us.

I had cried, regretted, and even decided to sever ties with the Sanders.

But now, standing there, my heart was torn in every direction. My mind was in turmoil, and I couldn't speak.

All I could do was watch as his lips trembled, his hand reaching toward me with whatever strength remained.