Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Billionaire Is 264

Chapter 264 The Harsh Truth

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This New Year has been busy but fulfilling for me. After spending three days at the Bolton residence, | finally

returned to Philippa's house,

Without the Wilcher family's interference, Philippa seemed to be living more peacefully, her complexion glowing

with vitality.

Bill had becsurprisingly adept at peeling apples, skillfully cutting them into small pieces and handing them

to Philippa.

She ignored him, her attention focused on crocheting an assortment of small toys with her yarn.

Over the years of her marriage to Bill, during long, lonely periods, Philippa had honed her craft skills to pass the

time.

While she crocheted little bunnies, Bill sat beside her winding balls of yarn. The scene was oddly harmonious.

That harmony was quickly shattered by the ringing of a phone.

Bill's eyes darted nervously. "I need to step out for a bit he muttered.

Philippa didn't even glance at him. She simply turned and went upstairs.

We all knew why he was leaving.

Worried that Philippa might feel upset, | followed her upstairs. Just as | was about to speak, | saw her drop a coin

into a glass jar. "Mom, what are you doing?" | asked.

Philippa gavea faint smile. "It's an old habit | picked up years ago. Back when | was young and restless, |

started this little gfor myself. Every tyour father disappointed me, I'd toss a coin into this jar. | told

myself that once the jar was full, I'd leave him for good."

| glanced at the large glass jar and quipped, "You must've been pretty forgiving to give him so many chances. If

it were me, even a medium-sized coffee cup would feel too big."

Philippa chuckled softly, cradling the jar. "You're right. Deep down, | never really wanted to leave. | knew the

Wilchers couldn't do without him, and | didn't have the freedom to walk away either. It was just self-deception.

But the habit stuck, even to this day." "And now, even with a jar this big, it's almost full."

The coins had nearly reached the rim. Just a few more and the jar would be filled.

It felt symbolic, a reflection of their relationship. If Bill turned things around now, there might still be hope for

them, no matter how messy their past had been.

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But if he kept going down this path, there could only be one ending.

Looking at the jar brimming with coins, | thought about how many times Bill had let Philippa down over

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Chapter 264 The Harsh Truth

the last 20 years.

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| reached out and hugged my mom. "This will all be over soon, Mom. You'll have the happiness and freedom you

deserve."

Philippa murmured, "Happiness and freedom."

| caught a tinge of sadness in her voice and quickly asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

She hesitated, then lookedstraight in the eye. "I know this might sound abrupt. But, | know you're not

are

my daughter. Who you?"

My body froze. No wonder Philippa had seemed hesitant so many times before. She'd figured it out long

ago.

The daughter | gave birth to and raised-I know her temperament inside and out. She's not as brave or clever as

you are. | don't dislike you; in fact, | like you. But, | just want to know, where is Zoey?"

Philippa's lips trembled as she finally gave in to the weight of her doubts and asked the question.

Tlowered my head, knowing | had no choice but to tell her the harsh truth. "Mom, you know me. I'm not, Zoey.

My nis Chloe."

Philippa's face went pale with shock. Just a short while ago, she had attended my funeral.

"You're Chloe Sanders?"

"Yes. After | was murdered, | beca spirit, wandering the earth for a month. | desperately wanted to live, and

during that time, | heard Zoey's voice. She desperately wanted to die. That's how our fates were exchanged."

Tears streamed down Philippa's face. "So, Zoey..."

"She's gone. Besides you, she had nothing left to hold on to in this world. From her memories, | learned

everything that had happened. As repayment, I'll fulfill all her wishes and take care of you for her."

"How could that foolish child do something like this?"

Philippa covered her face as tears streamed through her fingers. "So that dream was real dreamt of her. She was

wearing a white dress, smiling atso gently. She said she was finally free, and someone else would cto

lovein her place."

"Mom, don't be sad. I've been through depression too, so | understand how Zoey felt. She was heartbroken.

Don't worry-in this life, I'll treat you like my own mother and take care of you. When | found out you were

pregnant, | couldn't bear to let you terminate it. | thought maybe Zoey couldn't let go of you, so she cback

as the child in your womb."

It might sound absurd, but after experiencing my rebirth, | felt like anything was possible.

Most importantly, saying this would give Philippa hope to keep going.

She touched her still flat stomach, a trace of cautious hope in her voice. "Really?"

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Chapter 264 The Harsh Truth.

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"Yes. Whether the child is Zoey or not, it's her little brother or sister. I'm sure Zoey would want new life to be with

you, to keep you company."

| knelt before Philippa, gently wiping her tears. "Mom, Ill always be by your side."

She leaned down and huggedfiercely. "No wonder you did all those things back then. You've been through so

much."

Kind-hearted people always find ways to empathize.

Now that the truth was out, | felt relieved. If Philippa ever uncovered more about me, at least it wouldn't cas

a shock.

Feeling sorry for what I'd endured, she beceven more gentle with me, trying to make up for the motherly

love I had missed.

That night, | stayed by Philippa's side, telling her stories from my childhood and making her laugh until her

stomach hurt.

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"| didn't expect you to be such a mischievous child! Zoey was so different-impossible to figure out and rarely

smiled. It was my fault for hurting her." "From now on, make sure your little siblings are always happy."

"will"

"As for Anna and Sheila, karma will cfor them soon. You don't have to do anything. Just wait and watch."

"Okay."

Philippa huggedtightly. "Good girl. Rest well now."

Before | knew it, it was the night before Anna's wedding. The Sanders hosted a banquet at their estate, and we

attended.

| didn't see Kate in the crowd. Ethan and Greg looked haggard, and even Josh's face showed signs of weariness.

It was obvious they'd had a tough year.

| couldn't help but think, that if only they'd believedback then and seen Anna's true colors sooner, none of

this would have happened.

Their family was on the verge of collapse.

If my guess was right, Kate had likely lost her sanity and was being kept upstairs, away from the guests.

The attendees seemed aware that the Sanders were going through a lot but didn't pry too deeply.

Among the lively crowd, one-figure caught my eye.

He was tall, strikingly handsome, with an air of dangerous allure-the man I'd seen that night.

A woman clung to his arm, but it wasn't Whitney.

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Chapter 264 The Harsh Truth

Carter had looked into his license plate and uncover

He was Taylor Carlyn. The Carlyns had emigrated ye country.

As far as | knew, the Sanders didn't have any connect

While | was deep in thought, he suddenly raised his

Our gazes locked, and he gavea slow, tantalizing

That suffocating sense of danger washed overaga Wed, Dec 11 G

Chapter 265 Wedding Night