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

The blood pouring from Luke's wound stained the hem of my white dress, turning it a deep red. Despite the overwhelming sight of his blood and the gravity of the situation, Luke still managed to smile at me, his expression soft and reassuring.

"Chloe, it's okay. Don't cry," he said gently, trying to comfort me even as his life was slipping away.

Wisteria, clearly caught off guard, couldn't believe that Luke-someone so selfish -had actually stepped in to protect me. She yanked the knife from his body with brutal force, splattering blood across my face and blurring my vision.

Luke's hand shot out and grabbed the gun, and before Wisteria could make another move, he fired.

Bang!

The shot struck her squarely in the chest. Though she didn't fall unconscious, it was clear that the impact had knocked the wind out of her. But she still seemed determined to finish me off.noveldrama

Luke pulled the trigger again, and this time, the bullet hit her legs, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Ms. Carlyn!" The maid rushed over, her voice full of panic as she tried to hold Wisteria up.

Even though Wisteria's body was immobile, her hatred for me remained clear in her eyes. Despite the injury, she kept trying to crawl toward me, determined to reach me.

"Ch-Chloe ... Sis... " she gasped, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

In her final moments, she called me "Sis"-a haunting reminder of the strange bond we once shared. Her words echoed in my mind, but I couldn't focus on them

now.

I sank to my knees, pulling Luke into my arms. His wound mirrored the one he had suffered in our past life-the knife had pierced his kidney, and blood gushed from the wound in a steady stream.

Frantically, I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, but all I could do was smear the blood across my palms.

"Luke! Where's your phone? I'll call an ambulance!"

He gave me a faint smile, though his eyes were filled with pain. "No need, Chloe. I had one kidney removed a long time ago. There's only one left now."

I gasped in disbelief. "No, that can't be right! Didn't the doctors say your condition wasn't serious? Y-you can't-"

He reached up, his hand trembling slightly, and gently stroked my face. "Chloe, I'm not afraid of dying. These past few months have felt like I was already gone. Now, I can finally be free."

Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head. "No, you can survive this. You can still make it!"

His smile softened, full of a calm acceptance I wasn't ready to face. "I've already written my will. Everything goes to Everett and Everly. I've even bought a tombstone next to Joy's. Chloe, when I'm gone, please bury me there... beside him."

"No!" I cried, my heart shattering. "You can't say that, Luke! You owe me so much. You have to live! You have to!"

"Chloe, whether in this life or the last, you've always been so kind. It's painful for me to admit that I don't deserve your kindness. But at least there's Uncle Carter. Seeing the two of you together and happy gives me peace of mind."

For so long, I had held resentment, even hatred, toward him. Yet, over time, Carter's presence had calmed my heart. I no longer harbored any love or hatred for him. Still, I never expected to have to say goodbye to him in this way.

"Luke, please stop talking. Carter will be here soon, and we still have a chance to save you."

"Chloe," he whispered, his voice barely audible, "just knowing you're shedding tears for me... it's enough."

He gave me a bittersweet smile, one

that felt so final. "I've always wanted to apologize. That night in the

shouldn't have left

...

you alone. You must have been heartbroken. Please, don't cry for mel don't deserve your tears.

"I overheard you and Uncle Carter talking that day in Jaford. I learned about the death curse. You refused to let Uncle Carter trade his life for yours, so... I decided to give mine to you. Please, don't blame Eleanor."

So, he knew. He had known all along.

"You went to her?" I whispered, my heart breaking further.

"More like she came to me," Luke explained weakly, his eyes distant. "She knew that Uncle Carter's Stone of Duality wouldn't save you. Your curse hadn't activated yet, but even without Wisteria, someone else would have come for you. Not many people could trade their life for yours. Apart from Uncle Carter, I'm the only one who could."

His eyes drifted to the beads on his wrist-the ones that held a fragment of my ashes. Carter had given one to a master to make the Stone of Duality, and the remaining ashes had stayed with Luke, never leaving him.

"What did you do?" I asked, barely able to speak.

"Eleanor knew that if you died, Uncle Carter would follow. To save the two of you, she chose me, the one person with the deepest connection to you besides Uncle Carter. I'm giving up my life force to ensure your survival."

Tears fell from my eyes, landing on Luke's face as I finally understood. He had worn the same groom's outfit as before-prepared to face death with dignity.

"Luke ... " I whispered, choking on my tears. "Did you really think I would be happy knowing this? Who said I wanted you to give up your life?"

"Chloe, please take care of Everett and Everly, and live a full life with Uncle Carter. Just forget about me. I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused you."

I shook my head in frantic denial. "No, Luke, I don't blame you anymore. You have

to hold on. You're still so young; you have so much life ahead of you."

"Chloe, silly," he murmured, a faint

smile touching his lips. "I once promised your grandmother that

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ever wronged you, I would never know peace, that I'd have no offspring. Looks like that vow has

come true ... After this, we'll have no more debts between us.

With trembling hands, he removed the bracelet from his wrist and placed it in my palm. "This is the last thing you left me. Will you let me take it with me? I know it's selfish, but it's all I have left to hold onto.

"Next time ... In the next life, don't ever cross paths with me again.

"I'm so sorry, Chloe. I love you."

His eyes slowly fluttered shut, and the hand that had gently rested on my cheek

fell away.

The wind howled across the mountain, but all I could hear was the sound of my own shattered cry. "Luke ..."