Chapter 19
The abandoned chemical plant reeked of acrid fumes, the air thick with the stench of decaying chemicals. Serena Whitmore sat bound to a rusted iron chair, her wrists raw and bleeding, blood trailing down her hands. She locked eyes with Evangeline Hart, whose wild gaze was unhinged, yet Serena’s voice remained eerily calm. “You think you’re getting away with this?”
“Shut up!” Evangeline snapped, her nails scraping three angry, bloody lines across Serena’s cheek. “When Wesley Hawthorne arrives, I’ll make sure you both die!”
Behind her, five burly men were setting up explosives. One shifted nervously. “Miss Hart, wasn’t this supposed to be just a kidnapping?”
Evangeline yanked a stack of cash from her bag and flung it to the floor. “Take the money and keep your mouth shut–or it’s your lite on the line.”
Serena’s eyes widened as she spotted the bundle of C at Evangeline’s feet–enough to flatten the entire factory
The roar of an engine grew louder, then a black SUV crashed through the iron gate. The door slammed open, and guntire erupted.
Wesley Hawthorne dodged a bullet with a swift sidestep, firing back to strike a gunman in the knee. Blood streaked his face–proof of the brutal fight he’d fought to get here.
“Wesley!” Evangeline screamed, yanking Serena up and pressing a dagger to her throat. “One more move, and I’ll tear her face to shreds!”
Without hesitation, Wesley tossed aside his gun
Serena struggled fiercely. “Are you insane? Get out of here! She’s got-
Evangeline clamped a hand over her mouth, the blade nicking Serena’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. “Such devotion, Mr. Hawthorne.” She kicked the detonator at her feet with a sneer. “Get down on your knees and beg, and maybe I’ll let her go.”
Wesley’s eyes darkened–but he dropped to one knee.
“Not enough!” Evangeline cackled, her voice unhinged. “You’re supposed to be so proud, aren’t you? Press that smug face to the ground and beg me again.”
Tears spilled from Serena’s eyes as she shook her head, choking back muffled sobs.
Wesley lowered his forehead close to the floor.
Then a gunshot cracked through the air.
blood splattered from Evangeline’s wrist as her dagger clattered to the ground. Wesley surged to his feet, pulling Serena into his arms.
Watch out! Serena screamed.
Wesley spun just as a long blade plunged into his back, piercing through to his chest.
Blood splattered across Serena’s face, warm and sticky. She watched in horror as Wesley staggered but held firm, shielding her. He Tired three shots, dropping the attacker cold
“Wesley!” Serena’s voice broke as she caught his faltering body. “Why did
did you come?”
Wesley slumped against the wall, blood foaming at his lips. His trembling hand brushed her cheek, and he managed a weak smile. “Because you’re pry fiancée”
Sites walled in the distance. Evangeline screeched, lunging for the detonator. With his last ounce of strength, Wesley raised his gun.
The bullet tore through Evangeline’s shoulder, and she collapsed with a scream.
Wesley’s hand tell limp.
In the hospital corridor, Serena sat outside the ICU like a statue, still wearing her blood–soaked clothes. Her hands trembled
uncontrollably.
“Will he die?” she asked suddenly.
Dr. Lin’s eyes were red as he shook his head. “Have faith in Mr. Hawthorne. You’re still here…”
Serena stared down at the dried blood caked on her palms. In her past life, when she died, had he felt this same panic, despair?
this same
On the seventh morning, the monitor’s sharp beeping jolted Serena from a restless sleep. She saw Wesley’s fingers twitch.
“Doc “Her voice was too hoarse to shout, so she sla
slammed the call button
Wesley’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then locked onto her worn face. Serena’s tears splashed onto his hand.
He raised a shaky hand, his thumb brushing her reddened eyes. “You look terrible…”
Serena laughed through her sobs, clutching his hand to her cheek. “You’re one to talk, acting all cool with a knife in your chest!”
Fog clouded Wesley’s oxygen mask as he stirred faintly. Serena leaned closer, catching his faint whisper. “If… even this time I lose to them… would you regret choosing me?”
Serena shook her head, tears soaking the crisp sheets. “In my last life, you buried me. In this one, I’ll live for you.”
The heart monitor spiked wildly.
Doctors rushed in, only to freeze at the sight. The stoic head of the Hawthorne Group clung to the Whitmore heiress’s hand, tears streaming down his face.
A month later, Wesley stood by the hospital window, unwinding his bandages. Serena wrapped her arms around him from behind, her cheek pressed against the scar on his back. “The doctor says you’re clear to go home today.”
“Yeah.”
“Julian Blackwell got fifteen years for attempted murder.”
“Yeah”
“Evangeline lost her mind. They sent her to a psych ward.”
“Yeah”
Serena pinched his waist, exasperated. “Is ‘yeah‘ all you’ve got, Mr. Hawthorne?”
Wesley spun suddenly, pinning her against the floor–to–ceiling window. Sunlight filtered through his broad shoulders, casting dappled shadows across her.
“Serena,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her. “Let’s go home.”
