Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe)
Chapter 362 She's Back, Right?

Zoey's feelings for her father were complicated. From childhood, she had always longed for his attention.

She thought Bill's focus was entirely on Philippa, but he had noticed her instead.

"I... "Zoey began.

Her mother, gently placing an arm around her shoulders, introduced her with a smile. "This is Janice, Chloe's friend. She just stopped by to visit."

Bill stared at Zoey for a long moment before he looked away, perhaps reconsidering, realizing it was unlikely.

"I just made it. Drink it while it's hot," Nicholas said, breaking the silence.

He continued, "We had chicken soup yesterday, but that can get boring. I had them make some pigeon soup today."

"Not for you. Why are you so excited about it?"

The tension between the two men was palpable. Before the divorce, Nicholas had always been respectful, quietly observing and never interrupting.

Now, with the divorce finalized, he had taken a more assertive stance, no longer tolerating Bill's behavior.

At that moment, Zoey spoke up, "I actually really like chicken soup. Hmm, may I have some?"

The poor child, even after everything, still the same naive Zoey who longed for her father's love.

She could be ruthless toward Harlan, but in her heart, Bill was still her father.

Zoey couldn't bear to let Bill's efforts go to waste, so she stepped in to defend him.

Bill paused, a little surprised, but then answered, "Of course. I'll serve it for you."

Her mother chimed in, "It's rare that we're all together. Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Bill's face lit up with disbelief, and his eyes shone brightly. "Sure."

His reaction reminded me of a dog's look when its owner walks through the door-excited, happy, and a little desperate.

The look on his face reminded me of a puppy greeting its owner after a long day. It was clear that Bill didn't hold much standing these days. He probably couldn't even step foot inside his ex-wife's house, let alone stay for dinner-it would have been a luxury. He remembered to serve soup to Zoey. The first thing he did when he entered was to begin serving the soup, handing a bowl to Philippa.

After Nicholas went to the kitchen, he lowered his voice and said, "Dinner won't be ready for a while; drink a little to fill your stomach."

"Thank you," her mother replied, not putting up any resistance.

Bill handed me a second bowl and the third to Zoey.

I don't know why, but I felt like Bill had guessed something.

Zoey's bowl had mushrooms and a chicken leg.

Mine had chicken wings.

I liked wings, but Zoey liked mushrooms.

Looking at the chicken leg, Zoey's eyes reddened slightly. I wasn't sure if it reminded her of something connected to that leg of chicken, but she lowered her head quickly, not wanting anyone to notice the emotions in her eyes. Bill stood by, his gaze full of affection.

"Eat slowly; don't choke. If you like it, I can make it for you again tomorrow. I'm pretty good at cooking now."

"Thank you, Bill."

That poor girl, she thought her father didn't notice, that he was so out of touch.

Tears fell into the chicken soup, causing ripples to form.

Bill turned around at the time. He said, "I also made some bread. I'll bring it over later."

I noticed that his eyes were red too.

It was strange how similar they were both father and daughter, twisted in their own way.

Zoey thought suicide would disappoint her parents, while Bill thought the mess he'd made of his marriage had ruined his daughter's life.

Even though he had recognized Zoey, he still couldn't bring himself to claim her as his daughter.

I followed him outside.

Bill sat in front of his house, smoking. Even his shadow seemed lonely.

I sat next to him and asked, "Didn't you say you were going to bake bread?"

He put out his cigarette and looked at the distant sunset, his voice heavy with age and regret. "She's back, right?"

"I'm not surprised Mom figured it out. I thought you, of all people, wouldn't notice."

Bill gave a wry smile. "You never hold back, do you? At least I'm an elder, and I'm your Dad."

"Don't you hate me? I ruined your marriage, and a great international CEO like you has been reduced to making chicken soup."

Without warning, he turned toward me and pulled me into an embrace.

"The moment I realized you were my daughter, when I felt that drop of blood, I truly accepted you. At first, I blamed you. But then I realized it was my own fault. When I divorced Philippa, I was reluctant, but then I saw her smile every day in that small town. Gradually, I found peace. Even if she never forgives me, it's okay. I will keep holding onto her smile. You've taught me that loving someone isn't about harming them or taking things from them. Seeing her pleased satisfies me more than landing a 50 billion deal. Chloe, thank you. "Thank you for bringing her smile back. And thank you for bringing Zoey back. It's her, isn't it? She's still the same, always so careful around me. I'm such a failure as a father. Do you think you could look at your real father the way she looks at me?"

I answered honestly, "No, not in the past, and not in the future."

In the past, I had opened my heart to the Sanders, being the dutiful daughter. But I would never be cautious around them again.

Even if my identity were exposed in the future, I would never forgive him.

In my heart, I had already severed ties with the Sanders.

"I'm tougher than Zoey. She's a kind child, and she never blamed you or hated you. She only wanted a father's love. Don't fail her this time."

"I understand."

"Okay, let go of me now. You don't smell good," I said with a look of disgust.

Bill laughed and said, "I bet you would be a loving daughter, full of flaws."

He released me and stood up. "Alright, let's go bake that bread."

I smiled and said, "Sure, Dad."

His room wasn't luxurious, but it had a simple, comforting warmth.

While I baked the bread in the kitchen, he handed me a sealed bag.

"What's this?"

"Just open it."

I opened it and saw a death certificate.

When I saw the name-Alice White-I froze.

Carter and I had always believed that Alice had switched identities with my sister, and Anna's true identity was Alice, the missing daughter of the Whites.

But now Bill had handed me this classified document. The real Alice had been dead for a long time.

Which meant the person we thought was Anna wasn't really Alice.

I stood frozen, the questions swirling in my mind. If Anna wasn't Alice, then who was she?

Had all our assumptions been wrong?

Was she not connected to the Carlyn brothers?

Gosh! The truth was slipping further away.

"I've only found this so far. I hope it helps."

"Thank you."

"Don't worry, if I get any news, I'll inform Carter right away. Don't overthink it. These things take time. It's like putting together a puzzle. No matter how hard it is, if you piece it together bit by bit, it will eventually make sense." "Mm."

"Try my raspberry jam." He handed me a jar.

I took a bite and winced. "It's so sour."

"It's not! I added lots of sugar."

"I'm kidding. It's actually really good, but Zoey prefers orange jam."

Bill's eyes lit up and he said, "I'll go buy some right now."

I smiled to myself. Zoey wouldn't have to suffer anymore. With such a strong father, I feared Harlan was in for a rough ride.

This was going to be interesting.