Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe)

Anna lay limply on the bed, her body lacking any strength. When Taylor came back, she nestled down again like a little kitten, weakly lifting her eyelids to look at

him.

"Taylor, I feel horrible. I miss my mom. When can I go home?" she asked, her voice filled with longing.

Taylor was momentarily stunned. How could he tell this little girl that not only was going home impossible, but her life might also be at risk?

Looking at her innocent face, as untouched by the world's troubles as a tender bud, ready to bloom, the truth was too cruel.

He chose a gentle lie instead. "Once you get better, you can go home."

"Really?" she asked, hope gleaming in her eyes.

"Yes, now get up and eat something."

"Taylor, I'm so tired. Can you feed me? At home, Ethan always feeds me," she pleaded.

Thinking about the hardships she was likely to face in the future, Taylor couldn't refuse her. "Alright."

He fed her one spoonful at a time. She ate contentedly, then yawned and wanted to go back to sleep.

"Hold on, take your medicine first."noveldrama

"Okay," she agreed, but she was so sleepy that she kept nodding off like a little chick pecking at grains. Suddenly, she perked up, "Ugh, that's so bitter!"

"Bitter medicine is the best cure. Just drink it, and you'll feel better."

"No way, it's too bitter! I won't drink it," she declared, diving under the covers and squirming like a caterpillar, protesting, "I won't drink it, no way!"

Yael tugged at Taylor's shirt, "Taylor, hungry, want milk."

Taylor patted his head. "Be good, it's not time for milk. Go eat some food."

"Taylor feed," Yael demanded.

"I'm very busy right now."

Yael pouted stubbornly. "You feed her, feed me too."

Taylor felt exasperated. How had he become a kindergarten teacher overnight?

Usually, Yael ate on his own, but now he wanted to be fed too.

"Yael, be a good boy. I'll feed you in a bit. She needs to take her medicine first to get better."

"Okay," Yael conceded, clutching a teddy bear and sitting on his little sofa, his big eyes fixed on them, looking adorably expectant.

After calming the younger child, Taylor turned back to the older one.

"Hey, little girl, don't you want to go home?"

Anna poked her head out of the blankets. "I do."

"Then take your medicine like a good girl, okay?" Taylor coaxed softly.

"But it's so bitter," she whined.

"Endure the hardship now, and things will get better."

"Taylor, are you the kind of person who eats bitter things all the time?" she asked, pouting.

Taylor remained silent, a bit exasperated.

"If you want me to take my medicine, I need candy. My siblings always give me candy," she bargained.

"Alright. What kind of candy do you want? I'll get some for you."

Anna's eyes lit up as she rattled off a list of forbidden treats. "I want chocolate, fruit gummies, marshmallows, chips, popcorn...'

"Wait a second," Taylor interrupted, frowning. "Kids shouldn't eat junk food."

Anna blinked innocently. "But you're a kid too. You can't be much older than me."

"I don't eat that stuff," he replied disdainfully.

Beside them, Yael drooled, "I'll eat them."

Anna flopped back on the bed. "I don't care. I want it. If I don't get it, 1

I I

won't take the medicine. I'll just die from this illness on my own," she declared dramatically.

Anna didn't realize that only those who loved her would care about her well-being and feelings.

Despite her grim fate, Taylor's sudden presence seemed to break through the darkness of her life, letting in a ray of sunlight.

Taylor sighed. "Fine, I'll get you some. What else do you want?"

Anna thought seriously. "I want pajamas, a new dress with a pink bow, and...

"1

Suddenly, she appeared to remember something and lifted the oversized shirt to reveal her still slightly chubby belly and the baggy boxers.

"And new underwear. Your underwear is too big for me."

Taylor quickly turned away, his ears turning red. Coughing softly, he muttered, "Girls shouldn't show their underwear."

"Oh, well, I was just showing you how big it is."

"Honestly ... I didn't need to see that," he emphasized awkwardly. "Anything else?"

Anna listed a bunch of things, from food and clothes to toys, looking not the least bit aware that she was a

captive but rather like a guest

visiting distant relatives.

After making her demands, she burrowed under the covers again and fell fast

asleep. Taylor could do nothing with her.

He turned to see his brother waiting expectantly. "Taylor, hungry."

Taylor sighed. Life is not easy.

"Alright, let's go get some food."

He didn't dare leave the room, afraid that Wisteria might harm Anna if he did. Instead, he warmed up the leftover food in the small kitchen nearby and fed his brother.

When Anna woke up, the room was filled with things she had asked for.

There were game consoles, tablets, all kinds of snacks, and toys she had requested.

Sitting amidst the pile of toys, Yael grinned at her.

Taylor unwrapped a candy. "Now, will you take your medicine?"

"No, I want strawberry-flavored," she demanded.

Taylor found a strawberry-flavored candy. "Here it is."

"Alright, a promise is a promise," Anna said, drinking the medicine with a scrunched-up face. The bitterness was evident in her expression.

Taylor quickly popped the candy into her mouth, asking, "Better now?"

"Much better," she smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Taylor. You've been so kind."

Taylor was taken aback by her bright smile. She had no idea what lay ahead, making him feel both pity and sadness.

"How old are you?" he asked.

She spread her fingers. "Five, almost six."

She thought for a moment. "This

year, Chloe said she'd take me to the beach for my birthday, and Ethan promised to take me boating. They said the sea there is crystal clear,

and we'd see all sorts of little fish. Taylor, will you come to my birthday party?"

Taylor's smile froze. "Sure."

Poor girl, will she even make it to her sixth birthday?

His eyes lowered, filled with sorrow. He had seen too many people die, and the

thought of such a vibrant life extinguished before his eyes brought an ache to his

chest.

Sensing his sadness, Anna placed a candy in his mouth. "Taylor, are you sad? Candy makes everything better."

The sweet and sour taste of the candy spread over his tongue.

Looking into her innocent eyes, Taylor made a decision. "I'll protect you, no matter

what."