Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 513

"Zoey, look at me! I'm back!"

But she didn't react. I quickly realized—I was back in the same state as before. Had I really died this time?

At that moment, my thoughts weren't about the children. They were about Carter.

Was he alright?

I glanced around. Aside from Zoey and a few nurses, Carter was nowhere to be seen.

At least I wasn't trapped by someone's side like before. I was free to move. Without hesitation, I rushed out of the room.

The hallway outside was lined with bodyguards—more of them than the floral arrangements at a grand opening event.

He was really afraid this time. He wouldn't allow another incident to happen.

That madwoman wouldn't give up easily. Her hideouts had been destroyed one after another. With all her efforts wasted, she was bound to retaliate.

Carter had assigned bodyguards to protect the children. But where was he?

And where's my ... body?

I sprinted down the corridor and finally caught sight of a tall figure—Damian!

Carter must be nearby.

Then, unexpectedly, a haunting sound drifted through the air—an eerie, mournful melody played on an ocarina. It came from the emergency stairwell.

I looked closer. Yael was sitting there like a ghost, playing the ancient instrument.

The sorrow in his music was overwhelming, and it made even my soul ache.

Carl ... where are you?

I turned toward the nearest room and stepped inside. It was the intensive care unit.

Carter wasn't here.

That made sense. ICU visits were strictly regulated.

I saw my own body, connected to various monitors.

The heart rate was weak—but still there.

I'm alive! I almost scared myself to death—literally.

I wanted to return to my body, just like last time. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't.

I gave up and resumed my search for Carter. Finally, I found him on the rooftop.

He was only in a simple white shirt, and he stood rigid in the chilly autumn air.

There were faint bloodstains on his clothes. The cold wind tugged at his sleeves, making the fabric billow slightly.

His hair had grown longer, unkempt, and unruly.

Months had passed, and he had lost so much weight. His already tall frame looked even more slender now.

I took slow steps toward him.

Snowville knew only fleeting summers and springs, winter claiming nearly six months. Though autumn was upon them, the temperature had plummeted to near freezing.

And yet, he was standing there in just a thin shirt. The sight of him like that made my heart ache.

"Carl ... " I whispered, moving toward him.

He turned his head slightly as if he had heard something. I was stunned for a second—then joy surged through me. I ran to him.

Carter slowly sank to his knees, and he looked utterly lost.

"Chloe ... if you're really gone, then take me with you."

"Carl! You can't come with me! We still have our children! They are the only part of me I can leave you."

I wrapped my arms around him, trying to comfort him.

I had once thought—if death was my fate, then at least I could leave behind our love's final gift.

But now, standing here, I realized I wasn't as selfless as I had imagined.

Humans are greedy creatures.

In the face of danger, all I had wished for was to safely bring our twins into the world. But now that they were born, I wanted more. I wanted to see them. To hold them. To choose their names. To feed them, even just once.

They hadn't even tasted the milk yet.

Without a mother's love, would they grow up well?

And Carter ... What would happen to him?

He was meant to be the best father in the world. We were supposed to be a perfect family.

I didn't want to die. I wanted to raise my babies. To see their first smiles, hear their first giggles.

To watch them take their first shaky steps, to hear them call me "Mama" for the first time.

I clung to Carter, my voice trembling. "I don't want to leave, Carl ... I don't want this ... "

The once-clear sky suddenly darkened, and without warning, a light rain began to fall. Droplets landed on Carter's face—like the tears I could no longer shed.

He lifted his head slightly, his voice barely a whisper. "Chloe ... are you here?"