The guard’s hand instinctively reached for his weapon, but the stranger lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m not here to fight,” he said. “I’m here to turn myself in.” The stranger stood, looking like he had been through hell and barely made it back. His clothes were ragged, torn at the seams, as if he had been on the run for weeks. His face was unshaven, the dark stubble on his jaw making him look even more hardened and dangerous. A scar ran across his left eyebrow, a brutal souvenir from whatever past life he had lived. His knuckles were bruised, his lips slightly chapped, and his tiring, dull yellow eyes were the most unsettling part. Vincent, now being called out, stood across from him, arms crossed, his expression impassive. “If this is some kind of sick joke, you’d better start running now.” The man exhaled roughly, shaking his head. “I’m not here to play games. I was the one sent to kill Sarah. I was the one who chased her in the bush.” Sarah, standing just behind Vincent,
Sarah let out a muffled gasp, her breath uneven as his words sank in. Her fingers trembled at her sides, her mind refusing to process what she had just heard.This was supposed to be a good moment—especially after everything that had just happened between her and Vincent. But now, she could barely feel anything.“Oh my God,” she whispered. Her voice was low, almost inaudible, but the emotion behind it was deafening.Then came the tears—uncontrollable and heavy. The kind that had been bottled up for too long. She barely had time to think before Vincent was there, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest.“It’s okay,” he murmured against her hair. “I’ve got you.”But it wasn’t okay. It hadn’t been okay since she found out about his health. And now, someone was after her life—undoubtedly the same person who had killed her helper.She allowed Vincent to hold her. To console her.—Days Later“You haven’t mentioned the wedding,” Camille said as she approached his study d
Sarah forced herself to breathe, scanning the room and spotting the guests mingling.She was saved from responding to Camille as her friend, Keisha, darted to her side to welcome her with a hug and her chirpy voice.“Oh my God, Sarah,” Her caring eyes took in her wounds that are now healing.“Whoever did this to you would surely be caught and dealt with.” After a few exchanges of words. Keisha returned to the celebration center, mingling like the party bird she was.Rafael was already at the food table, popping a piece of cake into his mouth while raising a glass in her honor. He looked her way and winked. But despite the festive atmosphere, Sarah couldn’t feel genuinely happy. Vincent was dying, and that meant she would be left alone in this world. She had no close family, only a little circle of friends, but her favorite place to be was always with Vincent.She turned to Vincent. “This is… a lot,” she admitted, trying to sound appreciative. Vincent’s expression softened. “Not a lot
A dull but aching pain grasped Sarah’s entire body, making her groan as she was dragged out of the state of unconsciousness. She tried to move, but even the slightest move made her wince.Then there were the smells: antiseptic and… She opened her eyes while she also heard the beep of a heart monitor. Before she could process it all, a strong pair of arms grabbed her tenderly.“Sarah,” she could recognize Vincent’s voice anywhere. Her chest was suddenly flooded with relief even though she hadn’t seen him yet. She wasn’t in the forest, not in that deadly water.She was safe now. Her vision finally cleared, and the first thing she saw was the handsome face of the man she had hoped to live forever with but whose days were numbered. “My God, you are awake.” He buried his face in her hair, his hold on her almost desperate. “You scared the hell out of me." His lips pressed soft, frantic kisses against her forehead, her temple, and her cheek. Sarah could feel his body trembling slightly, as
Sarah sprinted through the bush, her breathing coming out in imbalanced gasps. She spotted a gigantic tree and ran to hide behind it. It was there that she realized she had no idea where she dropped her phone. “I’m in a deep mess,” she muttered to herself. Who was following her and why? She almost felt like she was dreaming, but sadly. It was too real. Just when she thought she had the time to think of a plan, loud and wandering footsteps jolted her. She is still herself. Hoping she wouldn’t be heard or noticed.When she couldn't hear any footsteps for a while, she breathed out. The person had finally given up and left, she thought. She scanned the area closely, then rose to her feet, not minding her weak bones.She was about to start running off the narrow path that led to a public place when a hand suddenly gripped her wrist. “Ahhh!” She screamed with great fear as the masked man, or whatever, held her.“You can’t escape now, little bitch, can you?” He cackled darkly like a madman
Camille’s hands trembled as she hovered over Vincent’s unconscious body, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Vincent looked almost lifeless on the floor. Her fingers pressed against his pulse as she shouted for help.“Vincent, hold onto me, please. Help!” She cried out loud.Footsteps pounded down the stairs, and Sarah emerged, covered in two-piece nightwear.“What happened?” Sarah’s voice was one filled with terror and alarm as she dropped to her knees beside Vincent. Her eager hands grasped his face, fingers tracing his jaw and his temples. “Vincent,” she whispered, her voice breaking, “please, wake up.”Something ugly coiled in Camille’s chest at the desperation in Sarah’s tone. “Please, let’s call a doctor!” The security guarding the mansion was now by their side, attempting to lift Vincent up.Just then, he stirred, and his lashes flickered. His breathing hitched, and when his eyes finally opened, they landed on Sarah."Sarah..." He muttered her name like a prayer. Camill