Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 558

Chloe searched the area, but there wasn't a single suspicious figure in sight. Just then, Luke caught up to her.

"Chloe, what's wrong?"

Chloe stared at the tiny snowman in her palm. "I thought Anna had come back."

"You mean your missing sister?"

She nodded.

"This looks just like the snowmen Anna used to make."

Luke turned her toward him and said, "It's been years, Chloe. If she were still alive, she would've come back by now. She was so young when she went missing ... She's probably long gone."

She knew Luke was just stating the harsh truth, but hearing him say it like that—as her sweet little sister had simply vanished from existence—made her heart ache unbearably. Tears welled up and spilled over.

"It's my fault. I should never have agreed to take her out that day. I should've held her hand tighter."

"You were just a kid yourself. How could you have known?"

Chloe looked up, her face streaked with tears. "I'd rather it had been me who disappeared. She was so small ... Not even six years old ... "

Luke pulled her into his arms. "Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault."

Just a wall away, Anna struggled against Taylor's grip, his hand firmly covering her mouth. She had heard every word Chloe said, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Blood rushed to her head, making her reckless—she didn't care about anything else. She just wanted to break free and run to Chloe, to tell her that none of this was her fault, that it was fate, that she shouldn't feel guilty.

Taylor, now nearly a grown man, was much stronger than when they had last met. He had shed the last traces of boyishness, becoming more mature and steady.

To keep Anna from escaping, he held her tightly, restraining her completely. Bringing her here had already been risky enough.

If she appeared before the Sanders now, the Carlyns' entire plan would be exposed.

And if that happened, Anna wouldn't survive.

She had no chance against his strength. Slowly, she ceased struggling.

Meanwhile, Luke continued comforting Chloe, and eventually, she wiped away her tears and left.

Anna could only watch helplessly as Chloe walked away, unable to do anything.

Inside, she screamed her sister's name over and over.

Chloe ... Chloe!

In the dim cave, a single beam of sunlight filtered through, landing on Anna's pale, delicate hand.

And in that moment, Taylor felt—perhaps for the first time—that he wasn't a condemned sinner.

He was just a person.

Anna was the light that illuminated his dark, twisted life.

He towered over her, his arms wrapping tightly around her trembling frame. His voice was hoarse as he whispered, "Thank you, Anna."

Anna blinked, confused. She didn't understand why he was the one thanking her.

"Taylor, what are you thanking me for? I must've hit you pretty hard just now."

"It didn't hurt."

"Let me see."

She wasn't stupid. She knew that the force was mutual—if her hands were sore, then he must be hurting too.

But Taylor only pulled her closer, holding her even tighter. "Don't move. Just let me hold you for a while."