Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe) novel Chapter 577

Anna knew he wasn't the type to mess around with her feelings.

After being locked up for so many years and trying countless times to escape without success, hearing him suddenly say she was free felt unreal—like something out of a dream.

Taylor gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. "You won't have to see me again. Go live your own life. I'm sorry for ruining it."

Even though he said those things, Anna couldn't fully believe him. It all seemed too suspicious—like he still had something up his sleeve.

It wasn't until the following day, when Taylor truly let her go, that Anna finally felt grounded again.

But almost instantly, another fear crept in—what if he had planted some kind of tracker inside her? No matter how far she ran, he could still find her.

She might never be free of his grasp.

So when Taylor asked, "Anna, can I have a hug?"

She didn't respond—just turned her back to him and walked away.

He suddenly pulled her into an embrace from behind, his voice hoarse and trembling. "You really are cold, Anna."

Guilt flickered in her heart for a moment, but before she could react, he had already let her go. "Take care of yourself," he said quietly. "Go on now—don't come back."

Chloe guided her toward the boat. Once it had sailed some distance, Anna stepped into the cabin—only to find her father alive and waiting.

He was lying to her.

Chloe handed her a small vial, saying it was from Taylor. Once she drank it, all her memories would fade away.

Taylor had brought up this potion before, but back then, Anna couldn't bring herself to forget everyone at the Sanders.

Now, he wanted her to take it—to erase the memory of who he was.

He hadn't hidden a chip on her—this time, he genuinely meant to disappear from her life.

Anna rushed to the deck, scanning the pier for any trace of Taylor, but he was nowhere to be seen. Still, deep down, she was certain he was watching from somewhere nearby.

He once told her she was the rose he'd nurtured with his own hands.

With how deeply he loved her, how could he possibly let her go now, of all times?

Unless he had something even more important than holding on to her love.

Tears streamed down Anna's face.

Chloe asked if she was still going to take the potion, but Anna quietly shook her head.

She wasn't ready to erase the memory of him. She never wanted to forget.

Remembering his final words, Anna felt as if a weight had lifted.

Was she truly free now?

She sat curled up on the deck for what felt like hours, hugging her knees and lost in thought. Eventually, Chloe reappeared, draping a coat over her shoulders and gently repeating Taylor's last few words and wishes.

It hit her then—she had really walked away from him. There was no turning back.

At last, she was going home—to the Sander residence she had dreamed of for so long.

Even if the house was falling apart, having Greg, her parents, and Chloe still alive felt like a hidden gift.

Now she had a purpose—to stand by her parents and breathe new life into the Sander residence.

Stepping back into the courtyard where she'd spent her childhood, it looked just as she remembered, yet somehow different.

The trees had grown tall and leafy, casting shade over the path.

The old swing still hung in its place, freshly painted, but in her mind, it swung with echoes of laughter from the days when her whole family played there together.

Kate looked much older now as she gently took Anna's hand and guided her back to the home where she'd grown up.

"I'm sorry, Anna. At first, we mistook Wisteria for you and let her live in your room," she said with a hint of guilt.

Wisteria had spent most of her days at the Bolton residence, barely showing up at the Sander residence, which had allowed the place to remain mostly unchanged over the years.

Anna came across her old photo album, paintings she drew with Chloe, and handmade gifts made by her brothers.

As she flipped through each memory, her tears silently fell.

It felt comforting to be home.

But why did her heart feel like there was a void?

Just one sip, and all of it—every memory—would disappear.