Chapter 415: Welcome Back to My World

Hearing his words sent a chilling wave through my body. I felt frozen to my core, as if thrown into the coldest part of the world. Clutching my phone tightly, I imagined it was Yael's heart in my grasp. I wanted to crush it, to see him writhe in agony.

At last, I understood why hatred could drive people insane, stripping them of all reason. At that moment, I couldn't remain rational. Only one thought consumed me: Kill him. Kill his brother. Kill his entire family! Go to hell, you demons!

“Chloe, weren’t we happy together? Come back, won’t you? I miss you,” he sounded like an innocent, naive boy. But I knew all too well the ugly face hiding beneath that bright smile. Oh, I missed you too. I miss you to the point of wanting to break your neck!

Carter remained silent, perhaps strategizing. Yael continued, “Chloe, Whitney is getting married soon. She’s been so busy lately. Don’t you want to be there for your only sister’s wedding?” He was truly a devil, always ready to exploit someone’s weakness.

“Chloe, I really hate Janice. If you don’t come back, I’ll kill her. You’re so kind; surely, you wouldn’t want me to harm an innocent person, right?”

He switched to video mode, and I had no choice but to accept. The camera shifted, revealing Whitney and Taylor in a flower field, shooting their wedding photos. Amid the blooms, I noticed a cliff in the distance.

Yael’s voice came from off-screen. “Chloe, what do you think? If I pushed her off the cliff, you’d never have to see her again. Or maybe, when they shoot the horseback riding scene later, I could tamper with the horse and let it drag her to death. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

I shook my phone desperately, trying to tell him I wouldn’t allow it. He chuckled softly. “Chloe, killing someone without leaving a trace is so easy. If she dies in an accident, even the Pearsons can’t blame us, can they? After all, she followed us here willingly. It’s not like we begged her to come.” Bastard!

“Chloe, I may not harm Whitney, but who’s to stop me from hurting someone else?”

Bloom Valley in an hour; tell Harlan to collect her body! With that, he hung up. Carter immediately called Zoey, but no one answered. That bastard Yael must have done something to her, cutting off our contact.

I turned to Carter, eyes reddened. “I have to go back,” I said. Carter grabbed my hand; I saw the resistance in his eyes. But we didn’t have time to argue. Yael had only given us an hour.

Getting to Bloom Valley would take two hours by car. A private plane was our only option. Carter had gone to great lengths to bring me back. How could he bear to let me return to that hell?

I took his phone and typed, “Carl, Yael didn’t touch me during the days we were together. To him, I’m more like an elder. He won’t hurt me. His issues stem from his family and psychological defects. As long as I go along with him, nothing will happen. Trust me, okay? If he tries to cross the line, I’d rather die.”

I’m sorry, Carl. I lied to you. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him how much I suffered on the island or how I’d been forced to kneel for an entire day.

Before I finished typing, Carter interrupted. “Don’t say that word. Chloe, are you really going to leave me?”

“Sorry, Zoey has already given me a second chance at life. I can’t let her sacrifice herself for me again, Carl. I’ll find the antidote, and I’ll keep myself alive too.”

Carter pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice hoarse, “Chloe, don’t be so kind…” But when I thought of Zoey’s bright, cheerful face, how could I be heartless? Besides, I needed the antidote. No matter how dangerous it was, I had to go.

I continued typing, “I’ll survive. I want to grow old with you, Carl. We don’t have children yet—I’ve decided I’ll have a boy and a girl, okay?”

Carter’s eyes reddened as he replied in a choked voice, “No. I don’t want you risking your life.”

“Carl, I’m begging you. I’ve already caused Esmee’s death. I can’t let Zoey die because of me too.” Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Esmee’s body flung into the air, landing lifelessly before me. Back then, I was only a soul, powerless to intervene. But this time, I could save Zoey.

“Carl, please.”

Carter stared at me deeply before instructing someone to prepare a helicopter. It would take only ten minutes by air. We still had some time.

Carter led me to the bedroom and removed the Stone of Duality from my neck, replacing it with another necklace. “This has a tracker inside. Whatever happens, don’t take it off.” I nodded obediently.

“Chloe, stay safe. Don’t let yourself get hurt. Give me time to prepare, and I’ll come for you.” I nodded again.

“What about the dagger?” I showed him the one he’d given me at the night market. “Keep it safe. It’s sharp enough to cut through metal, and there’s a micro-explosive chip in the hilt. I’ll show you how to use it in case of an emergency.” I wasn’t surprised by the hidden feature. I nodded once more.

“Your skin is sensitive. Don’t wear makeup for too long.” After a night’s rest, my face had finally returned to normal. I typed a message on my phone. “Take care of yourself, Carl. Eat well, rest well. If you collapse, I’ll have no hope left. Do it for me—stay strong.” He caressed my face. “I will.”

In the end, he walked me to the helicopter. We couldn’t risk Zoey’s life on a gamble. During the ten-minute flight, I leaned into Carter’s arms, unwilling to part from him for even a second. How I wished I could stay by his side, growing old together. But fate always seemed to have other plans.

As the thought of leaving him loomed, I couldn’t control my emotions. I feared he’d spiral, neglecting his own health. Just before the helicopter landed, I pulled him into a fierce kiss. Carter held me tightly, whispering my name over and over, “Chloe…”

When the helicopter landed, I stepped out of the cabin. I didn’t want him to walk me off—I couldn’t bear to see him and lose control. So I didn’t look back, taking one step after another until I was off the helicopter.

In the distance, a young man in a white T-shirt walked toward me. His radiant smile under the sunlight made him look like an angel. I couldn’t help but think of that little boy hiding under the tree on that stormy night.

Carter’s helicopter took off again. I knew his heart must be in unbearable pain.

The wind from the propellers whipped through my hair as I tilted my head back, watching the helicopter disappear into the sky. The tears I’d been holding back finally fell, one after another. Carl, I’m sorry.

The young man opened his arms and pulled me into a warm embrace. With a soft laugh, he whispered in my ear, “Chloe, welcome back to my world.”