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

Taylor found himself increasingly helpless; it seemed he couldn't refuse this little girl's every request.

"Alright."

Anna nestled against him, her small hands clutching Taylor tightly. In this unfamiliar place, he was her only anchor.

Taylor had a lot on his mind. He didn't know how much longer he could keep the truth from her or protect her.

That fateful day arrived faster than he had imagined. Their door was suddenly pushed open.

Taylor was studying while Anna playfully tickled his back. "Taylor, can I go outside? It's so boring here! I haven't seen the sun in days. I'm starting to forget what it looks like."

"I'll find a chance to take you out in a couple of days."

"Why a couple of days? I want to go out now."

Anna quickly learned Taylor had a hard time saying no. She clasped her arms around his neck, sitting on his lap and pleading. "Taylor, take me out now. Please

Before she could finish, the door was kicked open, revealing two adults and a child.

In addition to Wisteria and Hamilton, there was an unfamiliar man who resembled Taylor.

Seeing him, Taylor instinctively pushed Anna away, his face filled with panic. "Dad."

Anna didn't understand but assumed the man must be kind since Taylor and Yael were. She smiled at Dominic. "Hello, Sir."noveldrama

The man looked at her coldly without responding, his gaze making Anna nervous. "Dominic, is this how you've raised your son? Coddling the enemy's daughter! If Wisteria hadn't told me, I would've been completely fooled."

Dominic's eyes were dark. "Perhaps you should explain yourself."

"Uncle Dominic, what's there to explain? The last of the Sanders should be wiped out completely. Don't forget the suffering we've endured all these years."

Yael, oblivious to the conversation, parroted, "Wipe, wipe, wipe."

Taylor shot him a cold look, and Yael immediately cowered, covering his mouth.

Taylor finally spoke, "Dad, killing her won't change anything. She's just a little girl; her death won't matter."

"Oh? What do you suggest then?"

"Let her live a life worse than death."

Anna stared at Taylor, the same Taylor who'd held her gently to sleep the night

before. Now, he seemed like a different person entirely.

"Uncle Dominic, don't believe him. He's just protecting Anna."

"Dad, I have never forgotten the Carlyns' blood feud."

Taylor's eyes grew colder. "I want to thrust her into hell, making her live every day in regret."

"Good to hear you haven't forgotten."

"Dad, Grandpa's memorial day is coming up. I'd like to take her to Snake Island for atonement."

Dominic rubbed his temples. "Fine, you should visit your mother as well. Stay here for now."

"Uncle Dominic ... " Wisteria protested.

"Enough, Wisteria. You're heading to Dark Island soon. Focus on that; it's a brutal

competition, and survival isn't guaranteed."

Dominic shifted the topic, silencing Wisteria.

After they left, Anna noticed a stark change in Taylor's attitude toward her.

He wouldn't even look at her.

Dominic coldly addressed Taylor. "Now that we're alone, don't think don't know what you've been doing. Are you trying to shield this girl?"

"Dad, I'm not."

"You're not? She's gained weight since she's been here. This is how you treat our enemies? Don't forget how your grandparents grandparents

with me." Content belo died come

As Taylor walked away, Anna felt something was wrong and tried to follow.

Without turning, Taylor commanded, "Don't follow!"

All she could do was watch the door close behind Taylor and Dominic as they entered the stone chamber.

She could hear sounds, like the crack of a whip, from inside.

When the door reopened, Dominic loomed above her, his bloody gaze making Anna instinctively step back.

Maybe because she was too young, Dominic didn't harm her.

Yael scampered over, hugging Dominic's leg with a carefree smile. "Dada."

Dominic lifted him into his arms, tapping his forehead. "Daddy, not Dada. Where's that accent from?"

"Dada, my tummy growling. I'm hungry."

"Speak properly."

Dominic grumbled but carried him away.

Anna slipped into the stone chamber.

It was empty except for a table with

a wooden memorial tablet. In the

candlelight, she saw Taylor kneeling, shirtless, his back covered in fresh wounds.

One look terrified Anna. She rushed to him, sobbing as she embraced him.

"Taylor, does it hurt?"

Seeing her concerned expression, he stroked her face and forced a smile. "No, it

doesn't hurt... Don't cry, okay?"

"Why did your dad hit you?"

"Because I made a mistake. I deserved it."

Taylor, still kneeling, held her close. "I'll protect you, Anna."

Anna didn't understand that a promise from a boy could be deeper than the

ocean.