Chapter 456: Taylor, You Liar

Whitney couldn't shake the uneasy feeling growing inside her. Taylor had always vowed never to let her go. Last night, he claimed he was only letting her visit home, but now his words sounded like a final goodbye. Before she could make sense of it, he pushed her away, his voice firm. “Go before I change my mind.”

She looked at the familiar figure, feeling oddly distant. It was as if he were a stranger. She instinctively reached out, her lips trembling as though to speak, but no words came. What could she possibly say? What could she even do?

That was the freedom she had dreamed of for two decades. Now, the freedom she had yearned for was finally within reach. What more could she possibly ask for? Even so, Whitney clutched her chest, puzzled by the strange, uncontrollable ache in her heart.

As the ship began to move, Taylor’s figure faded from her view. As she passed me, I noticed a tear clinging to her cheek, refusing to dry. Perhaps she believed this was just a temporary separation. Knowing Taylor’s possessive nature, she likely thought he would track her down no matter where she went. But I knew better. Taylor still had unfinished business.

Last night, he entrusted Whitney to my care, determined to pursue the Commander’s whereabouts. He couldn’t let the Carlyns’ sacrifice be in vain. Now that the bitter feud between the Sanders and the Carlyns had ended, Whitney had earned her freedom. But someone like Taylor—someone with blood on his hands—was better off fading into the shadows alone. He had kept Whitney innocent, ensuring she wouldn’t have to bear the weight of his actions.

Her greatest heartbreak came the day Silas returned with my blood-soaked body, barely keeping me alive. The organ transplant had to happen before my time ran out, and my heart became Taylor’s last hope. Whitney’s body had developed a strong rejection reaction. There was no other option. When she learned the truth, she couldn’t accept it, but what was done couldn’t be undone.

Taylor didn’t regret his choice. He told me that even if given the chance to go back in time, he would still make the same decision to protect Whitney’s life. I knew I had every reason to hate him. But as I saw Whitney alive and healthy, that hatred faded away.

Chapter 456: Taylor, You Liar

Yael handed me two straw tiger dolls he had crafted himself. Rubbing the back of his head, he said awkwardly, “I was planning to give you a stone carving, but Taylor called me a weirdo. He’s probably right. Stone carvings are too heavy, so I went with these instead.”

I stepped forward and hugged him tightly. “Thanks, Yael. Take care of yourself.”

“Okay.” He wrapped his arms around me with joy. “Stay happy, Chloe, or I’ll come back for you.”

I laughed softly. “Alright.”

It was obvious the Carlyns still had their journey ahead. Amber busied herself straightening Carter’s clothes. “I can’t keep an eye on you all the time now. You know how insane that family is. Without me around, they’re bound to lose it.”

I couldn’t hold back a smile. Only Carter managed to keep from bursting into laughter.

“Damian is a good kid. He’s stood by you through everything, never once turning against you. If he’s still alive, treat him well.”

“Okay.” Carter opened his arms and embraced her. “Thanks, Aunt Amber.”

“You silly boy.” Tears streamed down Amber’s face. “How wonderful it would be if your mother were here to see you now.” She gently ran her hands over Carter’s face repeatedly. “It’s such a blessing that you resemble her more than that old man.”

Carter’s eyes were slightly moist. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

“Value the people close to you,” Carter said earnestly. “Don’t let opportunities slip away. Once someone’s gone, you can’t get them back. Don’t live with regrets.”

“I understand.” She looked at me and told him, “Just grow old together with this stinky girl.”

Carter smiled warmly. “Got it.”

Amber released Carter and headed toward me. “Stinky girl, take good care of Carter. Don’t let him drag himself out of bed at midnight to make you juice.”

I chuckled. “Got it, Aunt Amber.”

Before she could say anything else, I wrapped her in a hug. “This time, I truly mean it when I call you that.”

“I don’t need your fake sincerity.”

Chapter 436: Javior, You: Clas

I smiled faintly. “Still, Aunt Amber, don’t forget to look after your sons too. If you have time to worry about my boys, why don’t you go ahead and have two of your own? That would make my sister so much happier, even in the afterlife.”

“Fine, but only if you’ll help me look after them when I do.” She flicked my forehead. “Dream on! If you have kids, be the evil aunt who makes you wake up before sunrise to cook for the whole family. You’ll never have a moment’s peace—I’ll make sure of it!”

We said goodbye to each other, one by one. Whitney lingered by the edge of the boat, her expression a mix of loneliness and uncertainty. As the ship began to move, the view of the shore faded into the distance. Whitney’s gaze drifted toward the trees, as if sensing someone standing there, silently watching her leave.

Deciding not to dwell on her emotions, she turned and headed back to the cabin. There, she found Josh, his injuries carefully bandaged. “Dad, you’re alive…”

In that instant, everything clicked into place for her. I handed her a small bottle of white pills. “Taylor wanted you to have this. He said taking it would erase all your memories. You’ve had five years of happiness, but twenty years of pain. Maybe it’s better to forget and start over.”

Whitney clutched the bottle tightly and ran to the deck, gripping the railing as she stared out into the distance. With every ounce of strength, she yelled, “Taylor, you liar! I hate you! I hate you so much!”

She sank to the floor, her body trembling, but her eyes stayed locked on the figure in the distance. Barely audible, she whispered, “Tay…”