Chapter 522 A New Life
I looked at the table full of people–my parents from my past life and my family in this present life.
Finished
I felt like I was dreaming. After experiencing so many separations between life and death, all of this felt unreal.
Carter poured me half a glass of wine. “Chloe, let’s raise a toast to celebrate your new life.”
Not a rebirth, but a new life.
My life was truly restarting at this moment.
Philippa raised her glass and said, “My sweet daughter, I wish for all your past hardships to fade away and for the coming year to bring you new blossoms.”
Bill also spoke up, “I hope for you to always be safe and live a smooth and joyful life.”
Zoey smiled and said, “Those who chase the light will eventually shine bright. Chloe, from now on, we must live as radiantly as the sun.”
Kate’s eyes welled up with tears. She couldn’t call me ‘daughter‘ like Philippa did. Instead, she said softly, “I … I wish you a life of peace, health, and freedom from harm.”
For her, the fact that I was alive was already the best she could wish for.
Jeffrey was very emotional, too. Even Luke, who remained silent, raised his glass. “Zoey, I hope you stay happy, healthy, safe and sound. The rest comes second.”
Carter gazed at me affectionately. “Chloe, may we share joy together, year after year, at every moments.”
I raised my glass, feeling my eyes welling up with tears.
Looking at the people here, all past grudges seemed to vanish.
Only after death did we realize that no resentment matters more than being alive.
Being alive, was the best fate for me.
“Thank you, everyone. Happy New Year…”
There was a lot I wanted to say, yet in the end, this was all I could say.
The cold winter was retreating and soon, spring flowers would bloom across the land.
In this new year, everything would get better, wouldn’t it?
After the New Year.
The plans for my wedding with Carter were finally set. From the wedding dress to venue decoration, Carter went above and beyond to make it the best, determined to give me the perfect wedding experience.
I knew he wanted to make up for all the suffering I endured in my past life.
Wisteria deliberately caused trouble, from altering my wedding dress design, venue decoration, even as far
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Chapter 522 A New Life
Carter wanted to help me heal the trauma.
Finished
Just the wedding dress alone had been adjusted dozens of times. He even personally designed our wedding rings.
Watching him revising the design draft over and over, I hugged him from behind and whispered, “As long as I’m marrying you, even if the ring is made of woven grass, I’d still be happy.”
“No, Chloe. You deserve the best of everything in this world.”
“Carl, you’re so good to me.”
Carter put down his design draft, pulled me to his arms, and gazed at me with deep affection.
“How do you feel today? Any better?”
Since I nearly died from blood loss when giving birth to the two kids, my body had been
very
weak.
The doctor said my health had permanently damaged and there was no way other than slowly recuperating.
I had really became fragile. At home, Carter wouldn’t even want me to hold our children in case I overexerted.
“Well, I feel stronger than when I first woke up. I might be able to hike Mount Spiritus with you in another two months.”
I didn’t know if today’s fate was related to my desperate prayers before.
Not only being alive, I also had given birth to a pair of children. I had no regrets.
Carter caressed my face. “No rush.”
“Any news on that organization? I heard from Sergio that the commander and his wife are his grandparents. The commander had passed but his grandmother is alive. The reason she refuses to let go of the Boltons was because of an unrequited love. As long as she’s alive, she won’t stop targeting the Boltons.”
This was the only thing still weighing my mind. I would only be at ease if I found out the whereabouts of Sergio’s grandmother.
For the past month since my return, I hadn’t left the Bolton Residence.
I just didn’t want to stir up trouble and putting myself and my children in danger.
“Chloe, I am more worried about you than the old hag’s whereabouts. Through Alisa and the people we caught, we had destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of the Emerald Dragon’s stronghold in the past 6 months. So, be rest assured. Because of her, Bloodshade had suffered a great loss. The mastermind behind Bloodshade is furious, and now she’s abandoned. They knew we were tracking that old b*tch and wanted to settle this sooner. They’d help us force her out from her hiding. She needs regular blood transfusions, and with no one helping by her side, she wouldn’t last long.”
I smiled helplessly. “And yet, with all these efforts, we’ve only managed to destroy a quarter of the organization. So many people are still suffering.”
“Chloe, their headquarters is overseas. Even their leader is a world–class power broker. He holds both wealth and authority. Their strongholds spread across the globe–hidden in slums, embedded in bustling cities. They operate in beauty salons, private hospitals, cemeteries, gambling dens … Every place you can and can’t
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Finished
think of. With our limited power, it’s nearly impossible to shake an organization that’s been built for a century. If we interfere too much, we’ll end up provoking the people at the very top of the power hierarchy. That’ll put you and the children in even greater danger.”
This organization was like a massive tree–what we saw above the surface was only the branches. But beneath the soil, its roots were tangled deep, impossible to uproot.
I sighed, “I understand.”
Even though Carter was already incredibly wealthy, there would always be someone better and wealthier, with a higher power. Holding onto this organization will only bring danger to me and the children.
This was as much as we could do.
Carter saw the disappointment in my eyes. He held my hands and said, “As long as everyone doesn’t harbor greed, a lot of suffering can be avoided. Everyone has their own fate.”
“Yes, I understand. Let’s just focus on living our lives well.”
“That’s right, Chloe. We were never meant to be the saviors.”
I looked up at him. After all, he was a general who fought protecting the nation.
He knew what I was thinking and gazed at me softly, “Even if I could protect the people, I still wouldn’t be able to protect you. So in this present life, I only want to keep you and the children safe. That’s my greatest fulfillment.”
“Carl … ” I buried myself in his embrace.
Let’s not be apart again in this lifetime.
A month later, as spring arrived and cherry blossoms filled the air, Jeffrey received an anonymous message.
“If you want your son to stay alive, come alone to Sakura Island.”
Even though no name was signed, we all knew who that was.
“Dad, she’s trying to take you down with her!”
She couldn’t maintain her health condition. She was just an old lady and perhaps, she might even suffer a backlash, making her even weaker.
She was clearly making a final desperate move.
Jeffrey, however, was unwavering. “I had lost him once. At least this time, I have to bring him home. If his mother knew he’s still alive, she’d be so happy.”
I had something to say, but I hesitated.
He had made his decision. There was nothing more I could say.
