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

Taylor boarded the ship, but his heart remained unsettled long after that kiss.

At 16, he was no longer a boy-he understood what it meant to be drawn to someone. If Anna had grown up under normal circumstances, she'd probably be in middle school now, learning about these things too.

But growing up on the island had kept her pure, untouched by such thoughts.

Maybe that was for the best. He liked her carefree spirit, the way she did whatever she wanted without hesitation.

This was the only kind of freedom he could give her.

Right now, she was like an elementary school kid about to go on a field trip,

bursting with excitement about the world beyond the island.

She had been taken there at five years old, cut off from everything outside. Now,

she couldn't wait to leave and experience it all for herself.

Throughout the journey, she tugged on Taylor's sleeve, unable to contain her excitement. "Taylor, look! Seagulls!"

"Mm."

"Wow! Dolphins!"

She pulled him toward the deck. Against the golden hues of the sunset, a pod of dolphins leaped from the water, their sleek bodies gliding through the air before plunging back in, sending shimmering droplets flying onto the deck.

Anna burst into laughter. "Taylor, you're all wet!"

Taylor looked at her bright, innocent smile and, for the first time in a long while, found himself smiling just as sincerely. "You too."

Only when he was with Anna did he feel like he could let down his guard, and drop the masks he always wore.

Even drenched from head to toe, nothing could dampen her excitement. She spun around on the deck, twirling in the fading light like a flower blooming after the rain.

"Taylor, I finally made it off the island!"

Taylor opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. He didn't want to ruin her happiness.

That night, Anna took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and curled up against him, falling asleep in his arms.

After a long journey with multiple stops, they finally arrived in Jaford.

Anna had left her home at five, but she still remembered Snowville's endless winters-snowfall beginning in deep winter and lasting for what felt like forever. But here, even in winter, the weather was mild. This wasn't her home.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she instinctively grabbed Taylor's hand, like a small rabbit venturing too far from its burrow-nervous, cautious.

"Taylor, where are we?"

"Jaford."

Anna knew enough about world maps to immediately recognize it as the capital of another country.

Confused, she looked up at him. "But didn't you say you were taking me to see my family? Why are we here?"

"Your old identity is no longer safe. You need a new one."

She froze, a sudden memory flashing in her mind-the first time she met Wisteria at five years old.

Back then, Wisteria had told her, "This name belongs to you now."

"Why?" Anna's heart clenched with unease.

"If you appear as Anna, your family will find out. My family will find out. Anna..." Taylor hesitated, guilt flickering in his eyes. "This is the price of your freedom. From now on, you have to live as someone else. If you don't want that, we can go back to the island."

Anna knew the Carlyns' enemies were still out there. The fact that she was even alive was already a stroke of luck.

She steeled herself. "Alright. I'll do whatever you say."

Taylor handed her a folder. "From now on, you're Alice White, the illegitimate daughter of James White from the Whites of Jaford. You went missing years ago."

Anna didn't like it, but she had no choice. She forced herself to memorize every detail about Alice White.

Only after securing her a new identity, passport, and legal documents did Taylor take her back to Snowville.

Even after the long journey, Anna's excitement hadn't faded in the slightest. Pressed against the window, she watched the scenery with wide, unblinking eyes.

Taylor sighed at the sight and ruffled her hair. "It's freezing out there. Put on your down jacket before we get out. And don't run off, got it?"

Anna nodded obediently.

"From now on, think of Anna as someone who no longer exists. Outside, I'll call you Whitney."

"I understand."

As soon as the cabin door opened, Anna threw on her down coat and bolted outside without even bothering to zip it up.

For now, the thought of escaping hadn't crossed her mind-she trusted Taylor completely.

Taylor quickly caught up, watching as she reached out to catch snowflakes in her hands.

Tears streamed down Anna's face. "This is the Snowville I remember."

Taylor crouched down and zipped up her coat before wrapping a scarf snugly around her neck. "You've lived on an island for so long and

haven't experienced winter in years.

Your body isn't used to it-you'll

catch a cold easily."

Anna beamed at him. "Thanks, Taylor. But aren't you cold? You're barely wearing anything."

While he had bundled her up tightly, he was only wearing a long cashmere coat, which looked thin and inadequate for the cold.

"I'm fine."

"Can we go to the Sander Residence now? I just want to take a quick look at Ethan and Chloe from afar."

Taylor sighed, knowing he wouldn't

be able to talk her out of it. "Alright. Otherwise, you won't be able to sleep tonight. But Chloe isn't at the Sander Residence."

"She's not? Then where is she?"

Taylor led her to a hotel, and it was only then that Anna suddenly realized, "It's Chloe's birthday today!"

Many guests had gathered to celebrate-along with the Sanders, members of the Bolton family were also in attendance.

Anna stayed hidden in the crowd, only daring to steal glances from a distance.

Ever since they were little, she had always thought Chloe was smarter, prettier, and more talented at everything.

Now, Chloe stood tall and graceful in a shimmering silver gown, a million-dollar tiara resting atop her head, looking every bit like a princess.

Beside her was a tall young man, gazing at her with unmistakable warmth.

Anna pointed at him. "Who's that?"

"He's the young master of the Bolton family."

Anna didn't know who that was, but she did know that the Boltons were the most powerful financial family in Snowville.

An elder from the Bolton family soon announced their engagement, leaving Anna baffled. "Chloe is only 16. Why is she getting engaged so soon?"

"It's a long story." Taylor's gaze darkened as he watched Chloe as if he could already see her fate unfolding.

Anna didn't quite understand, but she noticed the way Chloe looked at the young man, her eyes soft and full of affection. She must like him.

Her family surrounded her with love-even Josh and Kate, whom Anna hadn't

seen in ages, were smiling brightly.

Her family was so close, yet she couldn't even approach them.

Anna should have been happy after attending Chloe's birthday party, but she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"I can't believe I forgot Chloe's birthday. I should've prepared a gift for her."

"It's not too late," Taylor said, unable to bear the sorrow in her eyes.

Anna ran outside and built two snowmen-one big, one small-just like her and Chloe.

Before leaving, Chloe caught sight of the snowmen on the table. The smaller one held a tiny snow cake, with a twig serving as a candle.

She froze.

"Anna..."

As if possessed, she sprinted outside. "Anna! Is that you? Are you back?"

She had no idea that, in the shadows of an artificial rock garden, Taylor was holding a trembling Anna, his hand over her mouth. Anna's tears dover fell onto the back of his hand

Chloe, it's me. I'm back.noveldrama