Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 1

I died on my wedding night.

During our ceremony, my husband left me at the altar, making me the subject of ridicule for everyone in the city.

When a dangerous man attacked me, I called my husband for help, but he told me to just die already so that my sister wouldn't be bothered by me any longer.

Before I passed away, I saw the city illuminated by fireworks.

These fireworks were supposed to celebrate our marriage but were instead his way of wooing another woman.

I thought that by dying, I would remove the last obstacle, allowing him to openly pursue my sister.

However, when he discovered that my bones had been fashioned into prayer beads he touched day and night, he lost his sanity.

As my consciousness dimmed, I made one final call.

On the other end, a chaotic noise preceded a man's cold voice. "Chloe, are you done making trouble? I've already given you a grand wedding. I'm just spending time with Anna. What more do you want?"

Blood poured from me quickly as the attacker loomed over, observing my struggling and pitiful state.

He was aware that I was about to die and could no longer pose any threat.

But I clung to the faintest glimmer of hope, unwilling to surrender just yet.

My white wedding dress, now drenched in the river, was muddied at the hem. Summoning my last bit of strength, I cried out, "Luke, save me!"

Luke Bolton cut me off with annoyance, "Enough. Aren't you tired of this charade? I'm fed up with it."

"I'm not lying. Someone is trying to kill me ... "

He scoffed, "Chloe, you were pretending to be sick before. What's this performance now?

"Are you so desperate for attention? Anna is your own sister, and you're Mrs. Bolton now. Will you only be satisfied if she's dead?"

The biting cold was nothing compared to his scornful words. As the blood pooled beneath me, staining my wedding gown, I knew my end was near.

With my final breath, I lay on my back, surrendering to my fate, my voice a faint whisper. "But Anna is safe and alive, while I ... am dying."

"Just die already. That way, Anna wouldn't be bothered by you anymore."

Before the call ended, a sweet voice chimed in, "Luke, the fireworks are about to begin."

Luke's voice faded away, leaving only the howling wind in my ears. The blood-smeared phone slipped from my fingers and fell heavily into the water.

The splash sent droplets into my eyes, which turned into burning tears streaming down my cheeks.

Amidst the swirling snow, tiny lights began to appear in the dark sky, resembling a river of stars created by twinkling drones.

The deafening bursts of fireworks filled the air, and my vision was overwhelmed by their dazzling display.

The elaborate fireworks, which he had spent six months preparing to celebrate our wedding, had ultimately been a show to impress another woman.

Someone sent me a photo of my husband, holding another woman closely amidst the radiant fireworks.

His lips, usually so detached, curled into a subtle smile.

In the midst of their joy, my eyes closed for the last time.

They say that after death, one may experience reincarnation.

If there was truly another life, I hoped I would never cross paths with Luke again.

But fate had different plans. When I regained consciousness, I found myself under a brilliant, star-filled sky, watching a couple locked in an embrace.

It was my husband, Luke, and my sister, Anna Sander.

"Luke, Anna, you can't do this!"

I tried to reach out to them, but my hands went straight through their bodies.

Looking down, I saw my almost transparent form. No one around seemed to notice me.

It hit me that I was dead and my spirit had somehow ended up near them.

Watching them kiss so passionately, I felt the sharp sting of death.

I had been his childhood sweetheart, and not long ago, Luke had promised me that his feelings for Anna were purely sibling-like and that he loved only me.

Another firework streaked across the sky, and Luke suddenly jolted awake, pushing Anna away with a sudden force.

"Anna, we can't do this."

Anna's face was still flushed, and the firelight made her look even more captivating. She bit her lip and said, "Luke, I didn't mean for this to happen. I just ... couldn't control myself."

Luke gently stroked her head. "It's alright, I'm not angry with you. I'll make a call."

I watched as he pulled out his phone and dialed my number.

A chill swept over me. After more than twenty years of devotion, it all meant nothing in the end.