Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 574

He gripped Anna's chin with cold fingers, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Anna, I know you're miserable, but I have my own position to uphold. Over and over, I've put aside my hatred for the Sanders because of you. And yet ... you trample on my feelings. Is this how it's supposed to be?"

Anna tried to speak, but her words faltered.

"If I hadn't shown up, you would've followed her, wouldn't you? Anna, this ... this hurts."

Taylor's gaze shifted toward the window. Anna followed, her eyes locking onto the woman still standing outside. She looked so much like Chloe, but younger and fresher.

"Chloe ... " Anna whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

The moment she said the name, the reality hit her like a cold slap. Chloe was gone.

Taylor's hand jerked her back, pulling her from the moment. "Don't even think about running," he warned, his grip unyielding.

Anna's heart pounded in her chest. She could see what he was about to do. Panic flooded her veins. She pushed against his chest. "No, don't ... don't do this here."

"Anna," Taylor's voice was like ice, "you've forced my hand."

"No ... "

Outside, the snow danced in the cold air, swirling in delicate spirals. Through the tinted glass, they were hidden from view, but Anna felt exposed, vulnerable.

Her dignity, bit by bit, was crushed beneath Taylor's cold touch. Her thoughts drifted back to the days when he had respected her, protected her.

Why did people have to grow up? If she'd never known her true origins, maybe this wouldn't hurt so badly.

But time had a way of pushing them forward. No way to stop it.

Tears slipped down Anna's cheeks, warm against the cold. She gazed at the dark sky, searching for some kind of answer. Where could she go?

From that moment, she stopped thinking of running. Like a plant knowing its fate, she realized there was no escape, no way out.

She no longer held onto hope for tomorrow. If the Sanders were doomed, then when the last of them fell, she'd follow.

The final path would be theirs to walk together.

Taylor, perhaps, sensed this wouldn't work for her. So, every so often, he had his brother visit to distract her with talk of the outside world.

"Anna," Yael said one day, breaking the silence, "Try to smile for me, alright? My birthday's coming up. I could invite some friends over and make it a big party."

Anna didn't even look at him. Her face was stone. "Whatever."

It didn't matter anymore.

But then, she didn't expect to see her again.

The woman appeared in front of Anna, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked exactly like Chloe. The resemblance was uncanny. But younger. So much younger.

Her eyes were kind and warm. It was the same softness Chloe had always had.

"Do you need help?" the woman asked, her voice gentle.

Anna's mind raced. A flash of Chloe, covered in blood, filled her thoughts.

No. She couldn't do this.

The Carlyns were dangerous. She couldn't pull this innocent woman into their web.

And there were cameras around. Taylor would know if she tried to run.

Anna didn't agree to the woman's request. She wanted her to leave quickly.

Go, Anna thought, her eyes bitter. Don't come back.

At first, Taylor thought she was up to something. She'd only asked someone to buy flour, cream, and other ingredients.

Then, he saw her on the security footage, watching a video and trying to bake a cake.

Her cooking skills were clear, but today, she was patient, baking and remaking the cake over and over again.

For two days, she tried again and again until she finally managed to bake a beautiful, delicate cake.

Seeing her decorating the cake with flowers and writing 'Happy Birthday, Taylor' on it, Anna smiled brightly as she held the cake. Taylor's heart stirred.

Anna had always been such a gentle soul.

That day, he came home early. Not only had Anna baked the cake, but she'd also ordered a full spread of his favorite dishes.

She poured him some wine. Taylor never gave her a chance to touch any drugs, so she had no way of drugging him.

Anna was genuine. She patiently thanked him for the kindness he had shown her over the years.

Taylor felt something was off, but Anna was flawless. Yet, to be safe, he doubled the security.

That night, Anna was especially attentive, snuggling up to him. Taylor thought she was just being sweet because of his birthday. He had no idea that once he fell asleep, she would slip away.

She didn't want to escape—she wasn't running anymore.

She lay in the bathtub, the cool water surrounding her. Then, with trembling hands, she took a knife and slit her wrist.

Blood poured out.

"Goodbye, Taylor."