Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 448

Tears clouded my vision as sweat poured down my forehead, but I couldn't let myself break down. I had to carry Grandma through the final stretch.

I wanted to tell Grandma that she was wrong.

How could I ever forget any of them?

The Sanders had their flaws, their coldness, but they once showed me kindness. I couldn't erase the good they did just because of their faults.

And I could never forget the care she gave me, even though the Carlyns had suffered so much.

As I walked, memories of my childhood flooded my mind.

Kate and Josh were silent as I shared those memories with Grandma. Josh's legs were soaked in blood.

Kate was visibly shaken, dreading what was to come.

We reached the Carlyns' cemetery again. Kate's face tightened in fear as she stared at the gravestones.

When they noticed that all the items around Ronald's grave came from the Sanders, their faces drained of color.

I carefully lowered Grandma to the ground. When she saw the rusty lighter, she understood.

"When did you ... " she murmured.

I never had a strong memory of Grandpa; most of what I knew came from family gossip. Now, I began to suspect that his death wasn't so straightforward. Some said he died from illness, others claimed it was an accident.

"He was just a useless drunk, wasting his life on women and alcohol. It didn't take much to trap him. The president of Sander Group, dead from a stroke? Ridiculous!"

I froze. Now it made sense why Grandpa's death had never been fully explained. His death was too shameful to be acknowledged.

Dominic continued, "Wasn't he fond of women? I injected him with ten times the usual dose and let him die in the arms of a woman. It was the perfect ending for him.

"But you, old fool, were too clever. Back then, the Carlyns hadn't yet risen to power, so I couldn't strike too hard. That's why you survived all these years."

Now it made sense why the Sanders had remained safe for so long—it was thanks to Grandma's cleverness. But as her health weakened and Wisteria began infiltrating the Sanders, everything changed.

"Your descendants are so foolish. Loving the daughter of your enemy while treating your own flesh and blood terribly. You deserve this. Chloe, you've already died once. I won't harm you again. You should hate them, like I do. Come here."

Dominic beckoned to me. Grandma looked at me and said, "Chloe, come over."

At this moment, if there was any way to save one person, I had to take it. "You're no longer a Sander. Don't let us drag you down."

"Grandma ... " I whispered.

"Think of Carter. He's still waiting for you. Didn't you want to have children with him? Chloe, sever your ties with the Sanders."

Her words struck deep. My life had been a gift from Carter, hard-earned and precious. We had one lifetime of regret—perhaps this would be our last chance.

He was still waiting for me.

But the frail, pale woman before me—she had loved me more than anyone else.

Why was fate so cruel?

Someone pulled me away, and I looked up to see it was Whitney.

"Chloe, go. Take care of yourself."

She wiped my tears gently. "You're no longer a Sanders."

But as she pulled me away, she stood with the Sanders, choosing to share their fate.

She looked at Dominic with steady eyes. "I've had enough of this life. The Sanders owe the Carlyns, and I'm here to settle that debt."

She gripped a dagger. My heart clenched. "No, Whitney!"

Dominic seemed to expect this. "I don't want your life, Anna. If you're alive, you can still save your mother."

Whitney stopped. "What did you say?"

"Debt must be repaid. Your mother isn't a Sanders. I'll spare you both, but if you choose death, I'll bury her with you."

The Carlyns were skilled manipulators.

Whitney looked at Kate, whose hair had turned completely gray, the once-dyed strands now gone.

She had once been vain, but now, she was a shadow of that person.

Josh looked at Whitney. "Anna, kill me. I won't blame you. Spare your brother."

Whitney shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, no, I can't. You're my dad. I can't kill you."

Josh slowly crawled toward her. "I wasn't a good father. I didn't protect you, and ... I hurt Chloe. I dragged Greg into this. You need to live. Protect your mother."

Kate sobbed, holding Josh's battered body. "Honey, if you die, I don't want to live."

Josh caressed her cheek. "Live, for the kids. I've had an easy life. My only regret is not being better to you and the children."

"Josh ... "

"Live well. Take care of the kids. The Sanders need you now."

He pushed Kate away and crawled toward Whitney. But in her wedding dress, she tripped on the long train and collapsed to the ground.

She supported herself, moving backward.

"Whitney, you know how to kill, don't you? Like this."

Wisteria pressed the knife against Greg's throat, and Whitney quickly spoke, "No! I'll do it. I'll do it, just don't hurt my brother."

Greg was the last male of the Sanders. Whitney would do anything to protect the family's last hope.

Even if it meant killing her father.

She gripped the dagger, her entire body trembling. Josh looked at her. "My poor daughter, live well. I won't hate you. I love you ... "

"Dad, Dad ... " Her hands shook uncontrollably.

Then, without warning, a blade pierced Josh's back, blood splattering onto Whitney's wedding dress.

Everything around her went quiet. Her pupils dilated as she screamed in agony. "No!"

Josh fell, and Taylor's face flashed before her eyes.

Whitney was shattered. She coughed up blood. "Dad ... "