Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 557

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?"