Chapter 324
Rachel’s POV
Astrid rolled her eyes as Adrian disappeared into the darkness of the forest. She grabbed my hand, lowering her voice.
“I thought he’d be more reasonable,” she whispered. “Didn’t expect him to be such a hothead.”
I squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. He’s usually more pleasant. That kidnapper just pushed him too far.”
Astrid reluctantly let me lead her toward the forest, her mouth set in a stubborn line. “I’m still taking Snow back, no matter what.”
“What if Snow accidentally scratches his wife or daughter? Would he hurt her? Rachel, why would you give Audrey’s cat to someone
like that?”
I sighed, continuing forward. “Once you meet Mrs. Knox, you’ll understand.”
“Fine,” Astrid huffed. “I want to see what’s so special about this Mrs. Knox that made you give away Audrey’s favorite cat.”
We caught up with the search party, where dozens of headlamps transformed the night forest into an eerily lit scene. Beams cut through branches, casting long shadows across the ground.
The team methodically calling Blake and Evelyn’s names at regular intervals. Then suddenly, a woman’s voice broke through the
night.
“We’re here!”
Adrian stopped, raising his hand for silence. He tilted his head, listening.
“Adrian!” The voice carried through the trees again. “We’ve fallen into a trap!”
He turned to Michael. “They’re in a trap. Search carefully.”
Michael motioned for two men to take the lead. The group moved with renewed urgency, lights sweeping across the forest floor.
“Over here!” one of the lead men called.
We hurried forward, and my stomach dropped at what we found a dark pit in the earth with jagged edges.
Adrian grabbed a headlamp and pointed it directly into the pit. The beam revealed Blake sitting against the wall, his face ghostly pale. His right leg was caught in a vicious animal trap, metal teeth sunk deep into his calf. Blood pooled beneath him. Beside him, Evelyn looked up anxiously.
“We’re here!” she called desperately. “Adrian! Hurry!”
Blake’s POV
I leaned against the dirt wall, waves of pain making it hard to think. The harsh light forced my eyes open, and I couldn’t help looking at her.
Her face lit up with relief and excitement as she called to Adrian. The transformation in her demeanor was too obvious.
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Chapter 324
All night, I’d risked everything to protect her carried her away from danger, stepped in front of a trap meant for her, fallen into this pit because of it. Her only response had been cold, treating me like a business transaction. Yet this man merely shows up, and suddenly she’s looking at him like he’s her savior.
Was what I did worth so little compared to his simple arrival?
I watched Adrian secure a rope and descend into our pit with practiced efficiency. He moved like someone with professional training, not just a businessman.
“Evelyn!” he called, immediately checking her for injuries before glancing at me.
I knew what he saw a man drenched in sweat, deathly pale, with a mangled leg.
He reached for her. “Are you okay?”
Audrey’s POV
I felt myself stiffen as Adrian’s arms encircled me.
I admit I was genuinely relieved when I saw the rescue party. But only because we were trapped in a hopeless situation. This was my first night in a forest like this. Despite being careful, I hadn’t spotted the trap underfoot in the darkness.
If Blake hadn’t pushed me aside the moment I stepped on that trap, I’d be the one with a mangled leg. Blake was seriously injured because of me. Besides gratitude, I felt guilt and anxiety. What if rescue had come too late? What if he lost too much blood?
Worse still, if Blake suffered permanent damage saving me, I’d owe him a lifetime of gratitude. In this second chance at life, I’d wanted to avoid entanglements with Blake, yet fate kept throwing us together.
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