Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 532 It's You Zoey stared at me, clearly bewildered, as if I had just turned down an offer to go with her to the bathroom.

"How could you say that? These two kids are just as much my responsibility as they are yours! I'm asking for one, not just half of one," I said.

Harlan, clearly lost, looked between us. "Wait, what do you mean, your responsibility? What exactly happened here?" His face drained of color as realization struck. "Hold on... you two didn't...?" He slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide with disbelief. "Does Carter know about this? Chloe, how could you do something like that? No wonder she lost so much weight when you disappeared for a while!" I could hardly believe what I was hearing from this couple, but all I could do was laugh in exasperation. I jumped to my feet and gave Harlan a playful smack on the head.

"Stop making things up! Janice and I are just sisters, blood sisters! Nothing more!" I scolded.

Harlan tically put a hand on his chest. "You really scaredthere! I thought she didn't likebecause she, well... liked women!" I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. This guy had the looks and the physique, but absolutely no sense. "With your brain, it's no wonder she never gave you the tof day." "Chloe, you two are so close. How about putting in a good word for me? You've got two kids already, but I can't even get a girlfriend." I gave Zoey an imaginary thumbs-up. She was always sendingpictures of good-looking guys, yet she could somehow resist Harlan's charm.

Maybe it was the thrill of chasing something she couldn't actually have—perhaps that was why she was always so fixated on him.

I waved my hand dismissively. "I'm not a matchmaker; what do you wantto do about it?" Harlan sighed tically, looking like he was about to say more, but instead, he followed Zoey, clearly sulking. Kate had made a special trip from the countryside to visit, bringing along a basket of eggs-chicken and duck- and two adorable tabby kittens.

"These are from our cat," Kate said, her smile wide. "I remember you liked cats when you were little, so I brought these two for you." Snowflake, once a stray, had grown into a massive cat, and the tiny kittens looked so small and fragile next to her.

I smiled, reaching out to gently pet one of their soft little heads. They were probably newly weaned and had been brought here right after.

"Is everything ready for the wedding?" I asked.

"Carter was worried something might go wrong, so he checked everything a few times, but it's all set now." "Good to hear." Kate wiped away a stray tear, a soft smile curling on her lips. "As long as you two are happy, that's all that matters." "Yeah," I sighed, feeling the weight of it all. This happiness had been hard-won, and I valued it more than anyone could ever imagine.

Tpassed quickly. Even though I spent every day with Carter and our six-month-old babies, I still felt nervous when I thought about the wedding.

The babies had finally given up their late-night feedings, and after falling asleep, they looked like little angels.

I gently pulled Everett's tiny hand out of Everly's mouth. The sweet little girl cried out as I did.

It was a relief, though. It was reassuring that they still held onto each other, even while they slept.

I had barely closed my eyes when Carter appeared, slipping through the balcony door.

I stared at him, confused. "Didn't we agree that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other the night before the wedding?" He quietly closed the door and walked toward me, his eyes softening.

"But I couldn't stand being away from my wife and kids," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Then why not use the front door?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He met my gaze seriously. "Sneaking in feels more fitting for the moment." Carter wrapped his arms around me. "We'll need to wake up early tomorrow, so you should get srest. I can't sleep without holding you." "I feel the sway," I whispered, curling into his chest and finding that familiar comfort as I fell asleep in his arms.

The following morning, just before sunrise, Carter gently nudgedawake. "Chloe, it's tto get up." "I don't want to yet. Just a few more minutes," I mumbled, barely awake.

Carter pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. "Con, darling. If you keep sleeping, we're going to miss our wedding." My eyes flew open wide in shock! I'd been so pampered lately that I had completely lost track of the most important thing today-our wedding.

After quickly freshening up, the makeup artist and stylist arrived one after the other.

Even though we'd already done a test run with the makeup, there was still a sense of rush and disorganization in the air.

Carter was already off preparing on the groom's side, getting ready for the procession.

After a whirlwind of activity, I was finally finished, looking like a whole new person.

Zoey, wearing a light pink bridesmaid dress, was busy taking pictures ofwith her phone.

"Seeing my body getting married, having kids... it feels so surreal.

"It's like I'm at my own funeral." "Don't say that! Funeral? What do you mean? Chloe, you'd better be happy from now on." "I will." I moved to give Zoey a hug, but then I saw her pupils widen and her face lose all color.

I turned around and froze in place, seeing Harlan the best man, who was supposed to be with Carter-standing right in the doorway.

Obviously having heard part of our conversation, he slowly approached Zoey. "What's going on? What did you mean by 'seeing your body getting married'?" "I-it's nothing. You heard wrong," Zoey stammered, trying to explain, her voice shaky.

"Janice, no... I've been suspicious of you for a while now. Ever since you woke up from that accident, you've been completely different.'ve you really?" are Harlan's gaze shifted to me. "Chloe, tellthe truth. What are you two hiding?" I couldn't speak. This was Zoey's secret, not my secret to tell.

"Harlan, let's talk about this after the wedding," I said, trying to calm him down.

"Exactly. Why are you causing a scene? Let her get married in peace."

Harlan was visibly upset now. He grabbed Zoey's hand, pylling hem away. "You're coming with me! We're going to sort this out right now." "Harlan!" Zoey protested, her voice trembling.

A wave of panic surged through me. This was turning into a disaster. This should've been a joyous occasion, but now everything was unraveling. The wedding was about to start, but the best man and maid of honor were both missing. How was I supposed to go through with the ceremony? I was so stressed, I could hardly think clearly. I hurried down the hallway, hoping to get back to my room to escape the tension.

But as I looked around, I noticed the staff had disappeared. Where had they gone? The quiet felt wrong. Had everyone already left? My heart raced as I made my way toward the main house, anxiety rising in my chest.

That was when someone stepped out from the shadows and grabbed me, yankingbehind a rock garden.

I froze. Even though her face was mostly obscured in the dark, bm instinctively recognized her eyes. My pulse quickened. "It's you!"