Chapter 418 Could You Love Me?

I sensed Taylor’s attitude toward Whitney had shifted. At first, his need to control her was overwhelming—he even brought other women to events right in front of her. But now, he seemed intent on winning her over, even going so far as to propose marriage. Given the feud between the Carlyns and the Sanders, Taylor’s decision to marry Whitney signaled that he had let go of his hatred for her family. He wanted to build a home with her, to treat her as a cherished wife. I wondered what had happened between them to cause such a drastic change.

However, Taylor pushed Whitney away upon hearing her words. “All you care about is your family. What about me? After all these years, do you really not like me at all?” Whitney’s silence said it all. She probably wanted to snap at him but chose not to waste her energy lying anymore.

The wind rustled through the leaves. My heart raced. I was terrified Taylor might lash out at Whitney and was ready to intervene at any moment. Suppressing his anger, Taylor eventually left without touching her.

Whitney caught his sleeve. “That’s poison. I beg you, give me the antidote, please?” When he shook her off, she knelt down and groveled before him. It was heartbreaking to see her do that so naturally. “Taylor, Chloe has suffered enough. Please, I’m begging you—I’ll do anything you want, just let her go.”

Unable to bear it any longer, I rushed out and threw my arms around Whitney. Her tearful eyes met mine. “Chloe.” I pulled her to her feet with all my strength. Noticing the concern and guilt in my eyes, Whitney offered a gentle smile. “Chloe, it’s okay.” While she spoke, Taylor quietly slipped away.

I shook my head at Whitney. She didn’t have to do this for me. Whitney, however, seemed indifferent. “Chloe, what you see as degrading, I’ve long since grown used to. It doesn’t bother me anymore. If I can get the antidote, it’s worth it.” Her casual tone only made my heart ache more. At least I had a joyful childhood. What had her life been like? Unable to speak, I held her tightly.

Whitney, instead, comforted me. “Chloe, the worst is over. Right now, this is the happiest I’ve been since I was five. I’m glad that I get to see you and hug you.” These monsters—what had they done to my sister?

“Chloe,” Yael’s cheerful voice rang out. “I’ve sent the items you asked for.” He approached but paused upon seeing the tears in my eyes. His expression darkened instantly as he asked, “Who bullied you?” His gaze snapped to Whitney dangerously. Whitney coolly replied, “Who else but you? Give Chloe the antidote!”

“Whitney, if I give her the antidote, Chloe will leave me.” “Keeping her sick will only harm her.” “No, it won’t. I know what I’m doing. I care about her too much to hurt her—you can trust me.”

Yael suddenly took my hand again. “Chloe, I just checked the kitchen. Today’s meal is quite extravagant. I’m sorry for all the times you’ve gone hungry with me. I promise to take better care of you.” I pulled my hand away. Unbothered, he fetched a plate of fruit and presented it with a fawning smile. “Dinner will be ready soon, but you should eat something light first.” I glanced at the fruit suspiciously, and he quickly gestured, “There’s no poison in it! Look, I’ll eat first.”

Only after watching him take a bite without issue did I share the fruit with Whitney. Her appetite was minuscule—whether it was fruit or the meal later, she barely ate.

During dinner, Taylor kept serving her meat, which she quietly set aside. Noticing her preference, I filled her plate with vegetables, which she reluctantly ate. Afterward, I received a photo from Carter. The table in the picture was piled with trinkets I had made. I smiled faintly and texted, “I made these! Impressive, right?” “Yes, Chloe is the best.” I then sent him a photo of Bloom Valley under a starlit sky. Carter, next time, let’s come here together, okay? Okay. “Get some rest. Don’t worry about me—I’m fine. By the way, could you send some rabbits and turtles for me?”

“Chloe,” Whitney draped a blanket over me and sat beside me. “Are you texting Carter again?” I nodded. “Carter treats you well, doesn’t he?” I nodded again and typed a reply. “He’s the best person in the world.” “Lucky you,” Whitney murmured. Linking her arm with mine, she reminisced, “It’s been 23 years since we watched the stars together. Remember how you dragged me onto the roof to wait for a meteor shower? I fell asleep, but you wrapped me in a blanket and woke me just in time.”

“You remember?” Whitney’s lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. “For me, the only happy memories are from before I was five. I dare not forget anything. Chloe, what wish did you make back then?” My wish? I could barely recall it. I was seven, and she was four. All I recalled was the awe I felt when the shooting star streaked across the sky. The wish itself was long forgotten.

Whitney continued, “I wished to always love Chloe and stay with her forever. It seems heaven heard me, and here we are, together again. Chloe, do you think there’ll be another meteor shower tonight?” I shook my head; there hadn’t been any recent news about one. I reached out, stroking her face. You’ve endured so much. Whitney hugged my waist. “Chloe, I don’t want to be separated from you again.” She soon fell asleep in my arms peacefully for the first time in years.

Not long after, Taylor approached. We exchanged looks, and he whispered, “It’s cold here, and she’s weak. Let me carry her back to rest.” The temperature in the valley dropped significantly at night. I carefully loosened my hold and allowed him to carry Whitney away. I wasn’t tired, but when I turned back, I found Yael staring at me with a resentful expression.

The way he looked at me sent a shiver down my spine. He sat down beside me and wrapped the blanket more securely around me. Then, word by word, he said, “Chloe, can you hold me?” I didn’t move. “You can hold Whitney, but not me? Why is that?” He gestured with his hands. “Just hold me like you used to when we were kids.” Guessing it had something to do with the lack of maternal affection in his childhood, I opened my arms and hugged him. But having a nearly six-foot-three man curl up in my embrace was beyond strange! Not that he seemed to notice. His face lit up with pure contentment as if this was all he had ever wanted. “Chloe,” he murmured, “could you love me? I’m not asking for much, just a little, just a tiny bit of love. Please?”