Chapter 40%
“Leo…” I struggled desperately to free myself, but my hands remained tangled by the shackles.
The fact that I could not help him–only watch as he suffered right before my eyes, made my tears flow heavily.
Blood soaked his shirt, spreading from his back to his chest, painting him in the same shade of crimson that stained Ethan’s hands.
But Leo did not flinch. He only continued to shield me with his body, his final act of redemption.}]
And in that moment, I realized, even if Leo was never a good man, he was willing to die trying for me.”
My cries echoed through the room, but Leo’s smile never faded. Even as he slipped into the darkness.
Soon, the wail of sirens grew louder, a relentless symphony of salvation and despair. Flashing red and blue lights danced through the shattered windows, painting the room in chaotic hues.}
Ethan’s eyes widened, wild and panicked. The predator had finally become the prey. His head snapped toward the doorway, his expression twisted with desperation.}]
But before he could make his escape, Leo, with blood pouring from his wounds and death pressing its cold fingers against his throat, gathered the last shreds of his strength.
With a low, guttural growl, Leo kicked out at Ethan with his foot, his body trembling violently from the effort. His only concern was still me, keeping himself between me and Ethan even at that moment.
The force of the kick sent Ethan sprawling backward, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
But the movement ripped something deep within Leo. He choked, his body convulsing as a fresh wave of blood spilled from his lips. His eyes fluttered, barely clinging to consciousness.
“Shit!” Ethan cursed, his voice a broken snarl. Crawling on his hands and knees, he tried to drag himself away, but his efforts were futile.
A sudden burst of light erupted from the doorway as officers stormed in. A stun gun fired, and Ethan’s body seized violently before crumpling to the floor, his muscles twitching as unconsciousness claimed him.
And then many people came to drag him, among them was Ryan.D
Leo’s body slumped forward, then he released the shackles on my wrist with the remaining strength.
After that, his head fell heavily against my shoulder. His breath was shallow, his words little more than a trembling whisper. “Luckily… Ryan was on time this time. Thank God… you met a man who deserves you.“]
“No, no, no.” My voice cracked as the tears poured down my cheeks. My hands were free that time, and I cradled his head against me, feeling his warmth fading far too quickly.
I sobbed, my entire body quaking with fear and grief. “Leo, you can’t just… You can’t just die after doing something so stupidly heroic. Please, I….“D
The moment I caught sight of Ryan’s familiar figure among the chaos, I clung to him like he was the only solid thing in a world crumbling around me. My voice came out in a desperate plea, “Ryan, save Leo, please. Ryan!“}
His gaze flicked to Leo’s limp, bloodied body sprawled beside me. His jaw tightened, eyes darkening with a fierce determination.
Without hesitation, Ryan barked orders to the paramedics he had brought along. They rushed over, expertly lifting Leo’s broken form onto a stretcher.
I tried to stand, intending to follow Leo, but the moment I took a step, the world spun, and my legs buckled beneath me.
Ryan was there in an instant, his arms catching me before I could collapse entirely.
“Jocelyn!” His voice was thick with panic, his arms steady as they pulled me against his chest.
His embrace was solid and real, his warmth chasing away the cold terror that still clung to my bones.
“It’s over. You’re safe now,” he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of everything we had endured.
“But, Leo….” My voice cracked, raw and broken.
“He’ll be fine. He’s in good hands. Just trust them, okay?” Ryan’s hand gently stroked my hair, his own breathing uneven.
But the fear would not leave me. I could only cling to him and sob, my tears soaking through his shirt, my chest heaving with every
ragged breath. Leo’s blood was smeared on my skin, his final words echoing relentlessly in my mind.
He had protected me. Even after all the hurt, the betrayal, and the madness, he had put his life on the line to save me.”
The realization tore me apart, the agony of it all splintering through me until my chest felt like it might shatter.“]
Ryan held me tighter, his arms the only thing holding me together when I was certain I would fall apart completely. His presence was an anchor, keeping me grounded amidst the storm raging inside me.
But the shock, the terror, the grief–it all became too much. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision, and before I knew it, I was slipping into unconsciousness.
When I woke up, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. The sterile smell of antiseptic hung faintly in the air, and I realized I was in a hospital room.
Ryan sat beside me, eyes shadowed with exhaustion but filled with relief the moment he saw me stir.
“Last night, last night was a nightmare, right?” My voice quivered, hope clinging to my words even though I already knew the truth.
Ryan’s smile was thin and strained. “You can think of it that way if it helps.”
“Please, tell me it’s only a nightmare, Ryan.” Desperation coated my voice, pleading for some reassurance that all of it was just a
3.43 PM N
“The truth about everything he’s done is exposed. He was involved in organ trafficking, countless murders… Horrific crimes that no sane person would ever commit.”
My stomach twisted violently, the words a brutal confirmation of everything Ethan had become.
“And now?” I whispered, bracing myself for the answer.)
“Due to the severity of his crimes, he’s been sentenced to euthanasia. It’s a secret, of course. The Donovans took care of everything to make sure it never sees the light of day. It will remain a dark shadow within the family, never to be spoken of again.”
A shudder ran through me, but Ryan’s calm, unwavering voice brought a sense of peace I did not expect. As horrifying as it all was, at least I could be sure Ethan would never hurt anyone again.N
But then I remembered Leo, his blood–soaked body shielding me from Ethan’s rage. My chest tightened, a fresh wave of tears welling in my eyes. “What about Leo?”
