Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

Even after Her Death

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Chapter 486 All It Takes Is One Loss

Seroffered his hand. "Mr. Bolton, it's a pleasure."

Both men stood tall, but Carter's presence radiated the case of someone accustomed to command. Sergio, on

the other hand, carried himself with an undeniable intensity. Their handshake, simple at first, felt more like a

charged meeting between two powerful figures as if the slightest spark could ignite a confrontation.

As they pulled away, | noticed Sergio's lack of interest Carter.

"I have matters to attend to. Mr. Bolton, please make yourself at home."

Though Sermaintained a cool exterior, he always made an effort to personally welcme, offering snacks,

fruit, and drinks.

Yet, with Carter, there was no hospitality, no attempt to mask the tension.

| tried to smooth things over, "Carl, don't take it personally. Dr. Zimmer's just... well, he's not the most open

person."

Carter didn't reply, though his eyes spoke volumes.

Once Whitney's session ended, | walked to Sergio's office to say goodbye. He was wiping his hands again with a

wet wipe, each motion slow and deliberate.

"Um... I'll head out now," | said, unsure how to respond to his strange behavior.

Without looking up, he dropped the wipe in the trash. Alright."

| turned and left, trying to convince myself that it was just his need for cleanliness and not anything personal

toward Carter.

The car ride felt tense, and Whitney broke the silence, The academy is hosting an event soon, Chloe."

"What kind of event?"

"A student exchange for top performers."

Carter and | exchanged a glance. This event was held a few times each year, advertised as a chance for students

to network and gain career opportunities. But every time, a few students left for the event and never cback.

After Carter looked into it, we discovered that sof those students had disappeared into a web of black-

market dealings and financial fraud.

This was Taylor's chance to move.

It was an inside operation. If we could get evidence at the event, it would be the perfect moment to dismantle

everything.

"You'll need senior membership for this event, right? You're a junior member. You probably won't be able

to go...

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Chapter 486 All It Takes is One Loss

"Luther said he could getin."

My heart skipped a beat. "No, you can't go."

Finished

This was clearly a trap. | didn't know what Luther's real goal was, but Whitney had barely escaped the

organization. If anything went wrong now, | couldn't bear to think of it.

| took a deep breath and tried to explain. "Whitney, we think Luther's been trying to use you to confirm whether

the Carlyns are really gone. If you go to that event, it might ruin Taylor's perfect chance to act. We could make

things worse."

Whitney kept her head down, not meeting my eyes. She twirled her fingers nervously, and when she spoke, her

voice was barely above a whisper. "I know you're trying to protect me. But | can't just sit back while he risks

everything on his own. I'm not reckless. ve got a plan.

| frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Luther likes me."

My heart skipped. That wasn't the answer I'd expected. "Really?"

She nodded, looking up atwith a hint of resolve. "I'm a woman. Sometimes, all it takes is a look. Luther's part

of the sgroup. We should've known each other, but | forgot that part of my past. He hasn't, though. He's

been trying to helpremember"

Her words struck a chord. It made sense, like how I'd noticed Sergio's odd behavior toward me. I'd drawn lines

with him right away. And now, | had to do the sfor Whitney.

"But Whitney, even if Luther likes you, | can't let you go. He invited you, but it's obvious he wants to take you

away from us. Once you're out there, we won't be able to find you."

| gripped her hands, my voice firm, "We've been apart for 20 years. I've finally found you. You can callselfish

if you want, but I'm not letting you go. Taylor's life doesn't matter as much as yours."

She blinked, a soft gasp escaping her lips. "Chloe...

"You don't have to say anything more. Stay with the Boltons for now. I'm not letting you leave. | know Taylor

agrees with me. He wouldn't wantsending you into Luther's arms."

For the first time, | took on the role of the overprotective older sister.

Whitney was all | had left. | couldn't lose her now.

She looked at Carter, her eyes pleading. "Carter, you understand, right?"

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Carter, always calm and steady, met her gaze. "Listen to your sister."

Once we were home, | ordered Damian to increase security. No matter what, Whitney mustn't leave.

"Yes, ma'am," Damian

| locked Whitney, "plied, his expression serious.

a room. It hurt, but it was the only way. "Don't hate me. | can't let you take that chance.

But you have to trust Taylor. He'll handle everything."

Whitney's eves were red, filled with emotion. "What if

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Chapter 486 All It Takes Is One Loss

| cut her off, my tone cold, "Then it's his bad luck."

G

She looked desperate. "I'll be fine. Luther won't be on guard around me. I'll make it back safely."

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| shook my head. "Whitney, accidents happen. No one can predict what life will throw at them. This is a gamble,

and in every gamble, there are losers. In fact, most gamblers lose. Even if you win, | wouldn't let you take that

risk. One loss could mean everything." | cupped her face gently. "Whitney, please. When we were younger, you

always listened to me. Just this once, please trust me."

She looked into my eyes, catching the tears, and gave a small nod. "Okay, Chloe."

But despite her promise, I still couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at me. | immediately arranged for extra

security to keep an eye on her.

Alisa, her hand resting on her growing belly, approached me. "Aunt Chloe, what's happening?"

| gave a steady reply, "I can't risk her making a dangerous choice. | won't let her follow her love to the end. She

needs to be kept safe. By the way, how did your last prenatal checkup go? Everything's fine, right?"

"Yes, Aunt Chloe. The baby's healthy."

"That's a relief." | noticed the pale tint to her skin. "You've been looking a bit worn out. I'm concerned. You've got

to take care of yourself, especially with this being the Boltons' first child. Your dad will be so happy when the

baby arrives."

Alisa ran her hand gently over her belly, her eyes clouding with a touch of sadness.

Though medical advancements are strong, no doctor can guarantee everything will be perfect.

"Looks like you're in good shape, Aunt Chloe. The baby must be doing well."

When she glanced at my stomach, a cold shiver ran up my spine.

| quickly excused myself and headed upstairs. Once in my room, | grabbed Carter's hand. "I think Alisa's about to

make a move. Stay alert. She might try something against me."

Carter pulledinto a soft embrace. "I won't let anything happen to you. | swear it."

We had felt powerless before, but today things weren't as bad.

Still, my greatest concern was Whitney.

"Carl, | don't think Whitney will give up. We need to watch her closely. She can't take any more chances."

"Don't worry about it for now. You've got your checkup tomorrow. Just rest tonight."

"Okay."

That night, sleep eluded me. The following day's checkup was crucial. It would focus on the baby's heartbeat and

overall progress.

The memory of my previous loss weighed heavily on me, makingfear that something might go wrong again.

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Chapter 486 All It Takes Is One Loss

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As | prepared to leave the next morning, | found Whitney sitting at the kitchen table, eating her breakfast.

you."

She glanced up atand said, "I'll go wil

| shook my head. "No, Carl's coming along. You should stay hand rest."

Her hand reached out to mine, her concern evident. "Are you sure? I'm worried about him, but I'm more worried

about you-especially now. Letbe there with you. | want to share every moment, every surprise." | sighed,

knowing | couldn't keep her away. "Alright, but don't wander off."

*

To keep her from getting distraWAKE UP

1 282 Vouchers WAKE UP

LAURA

The road stretched ahead, dark and endless, the snowfall thickening as it danced under the glow of the

headlights. The world outside was a blur, the wipers swishing steadily, but inside the car, it was warm and cozy.

Jess was in the driver's seat, tapping the steering wheel along with the beat of whatever song was playing too

softly on the radio.

My hands rested on my belly, its slight curve a comforting weight beneath my palms. It was strange-I didn't

remember it being this big. Hadn't | just found out | was pregnant? Wait, the song was different. This isn't the

song that was playing when...

| frowned, shifting slightly.

There was something | needed.

Something in the backseat.

| unbuckled my seatbelt without thinking, twisting in my seat to reach for it-

Lights.

Bright, blinding lights.

A sharp gasp, and then-

Everything hurt.

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My body seized, like every single muscle clenched at once, and then there was nothing.

Darkness.

Floating.

Tdidn't exist.

Then-

Voices.

Muffled. Sharp. Too many of them all at once.

Light again, but not headlights this time. Blinding fluorescents above me, burning into my retinas. Shadows

moving. Faces.

I tried to move.

Nothing.

| tried to speak.

Nothing.

Panic swelled in my chest like a balloon, pressing against my ribs, my lungs. My fingers twitched, and suddenly,

someone noticed. A sharp exclamation in a language | didn't understand. More faces appeared. Wide eyes.

Staring.

My body ached, deep and unfamiliar, like I'd been stretched too thin. | felt wrong. Disconnected.

Someone was touching me. A hand pressing against my wrist.

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Another on my shoulder.

| wanted to scream, but nothing cout. Was | even trying? It's like my body forgot how to move. My muscles

forgot their function.

The,n a man's voice-soothing, calm-spoke in accented English.

"There is a tube in your throat." His voice was measured and practiced. "It is called a tracheostomy. It's helping

you breathe. Your diaphragm isn't strong enough to do it on it's own after such a long time. Please, do not

panic." My throat burned.

| tried to lift a hand, and pain splintered through me.

"You were in an accident," he continued. "A severe accident."

Something cold settled in my chest. My stomach clenched.

Accident.

My brain tried to make sense of it. The road. The snow. The lights. The pain.

Jess.

The baby.

Oh, God. The baby.

A weak, strangled noise slipped from

my throat-more of a croak thane,

anything ese yMy BT

alairist my ribs, the machine beside

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rhythm.

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A different voice-softer this time, female-spoke something | didn't understand.

"She is in distress," the man said,

switching back to English. "Laura,

listen to me. Your heattstapged Bo

yQu nderétand? We had to keep it

going with compressions, and we

had to shock you. It seems the

cardiac arrest somehow..." No. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

That didn't make sense.

I couldn't have-

He kept talking, his voice gentle but firm. "Your husband never signed the end-of-life documents, so we

resuscitated you."

The words didn't compute at first. They jumbled together, slipping through my mind like water through shaking

fingers. Heart stopped.

Resuscitated.

Husband.

Josh.

Josh.

The machines beeped louder. Something clamped around my chest, squeezing tight.

| tried to speak, but all that cout was a strangled, desperate

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sound.

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The woman murmured something else, and | felt a cool hand brush against my forehead.

"It is okay," the man assured me. You are awake now."

Awake.

But | wasn't supposed to be.

| felt the panic building, clawing up

my throat. The room Pcs

Prog pes | shdebzed my eyes

shit wi ling myself to wake up

again-to wake up somewhere else.

This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

I was in the car.

| was going to Josh's game.

| was-

Another rush of voices. A prick in my arm. Coldness spreading.

My body relaxed against.my will, the fight draining out of me.

| opened my eyes just once more

Everything was fading, slipping away again.

| caught the doctor's gaze before the darkness swallowedwhole.

And in that last moment, one thought rang through my head, louder than anything else.

cted, | made sure Damian would watch over her closely while we were in the ultrasound room.

Once inside, | lay back, and the doctor began moving the probe over my stomach. I felt the tension building up in

my chest.

My grip on the armrest tightened.

If they didn't detect the heartbeat at this stage, it could mean something went wrong-perhaps an ectopic

pregnancy or sother complication.

"Doctor, how's the baby doing?" my voice trembled as | spoke.

"Mrs. Bolton, the baby is-"

Suddenly, a noise from outside drew my attention. My heart raced.

What was happening?