?Chapter 2867:


    But this time, her cries were met with no response.


    “Eric!” She lightly pped his cheek, her voice cracking.


    “Wake up! Open your eyes!”


    He didn’t move, his full weight pressing her down.


    “No… no…” Her breath hitched, terror gripping her chest. She held him close, her sobs breaking loose.


    “Don’t leave me like this! Don’t you die on me! Please… don’t…”


    Herposure shattered. She cried uncontrobly, the rain hiding nothing. What should she do?


    She bit her lip hard, tasting the salt of her tears. Desperation gnawed at her.


    Her fingers scrambled for her phone again. And then—her eyes widened.


    “There’s a signal!” One tiny bar flickered to life.


    “Eric!” she called, hope ring—only for the signal to vanish a heartbeatter. It had been so brief, it felt like a mirage.


    But no—she was certain. It had been real.


    If there had been a signal, even for a moment, then her earlier guess was right.


    If she kept moving forward, the reception might return. The battery wouldn’tst long. They had to contact someone before it diedpletely.


    But what now?


    Should she leave him here and go alone?


    The thought made her flinch. No.


    Not here. Not in this wild ce. If she left, what if she couldn’t find her way back?


    And even if she did—what if he wasn’t safe while she was gone? The animal traps meant there were predators nearby. No, she couldn’t leave him alone while he was this vulnerable.


    She had to bring him with her.


    Her teeth sank into her lip as she weighed the impossible choice. Could she carry him?


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    After a moment, her resolve hardened. She grasped his arm tightly.


    “Eric…”


    “Eric, we’ll do this together.” Hadley steadied Eric as she turned, pressing his weakened body against her back. He slumped naturally, relying on herpletely.


    She slid her hands around his arms, securing them across her front. Drawing in a deep breath, she said, “Eric, I’m going to stand up now!”


    Teeth clenched, she rooted her feet into the ground, gathering every ounce of strength to lift them both in a single motion.


    “Ugh…” A muffled groan escaped him as he shifted on her back.


    “Eric?” Hadley caught it instantly, panic threading through her voice.


    “Did I hurt the wound? Is the pain worse?”


    The truth was, the pain burned deep.


    Tears glimmered in Hadley’s eyes, but she suddenly let out a shakyugh.


    “It’s good… that you can still feel pain.”


    At least it was proof he was still with her.


    “Okay. I’m moving us forward now.”


    The weight on her back was almost too much, and Eric struggled just to stay conscious. Even so, part of his mind remained alert.


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