Chapter 1406:


    The second he answered, her voice burst through—tight with worry.


    “Ethan, where are you? Is Maia with you?”


    Ethan drew in a steadying breath before replying, “I’m at Erygan Hospital. My sister… she’s not here with me.”


    Mnie’s anxiety spiked. “Maia’s not there? Do you have any idea where she is now?”


    Ethan’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “I’m not sure, but… she should’ve gotten away.”


    On the other end, Mnie’s breath eased, her tone softening. “Alright. Don’t panic. My dad’s already searching for her.”


    A small pause—and then, more firmly, she added, “Stay where you are. I’lle to you soon.”


    The call ended, but Ethan didn’t lower the phone.


    He held it tightly, staring at the screen—and finally tapped to open thest message Maia had sent him.


    A dim, cold glow from the screen cast shadows across Ethan’s face.


    The message from Maia was short, yet its weight pressed on his chest, making each breath a struggle.


    “I’m okay. I’m with Chris now, and his condition is critical… Also, if anyone asks about me, say you don’t know.”


    Ethan bit his lower lip, nails digging into his palms. This time, he chose to trust his sister and stand by her.


    From the moment he saw Chris throw himself in front of Maia, taking the bullet meant for her, all his doubts and prejudices had crumbled.


    Chris was the real “Justiceze”—true heroes never die.


    But what if… what if Chris had actually died this time?


    Lаτ??τ ch?ρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?ls.??????


    The thought churned inside him, mixing with the memory of his harsh words and past resentment. Regret twisted his throat.


    He hadn’t apologized, hadn’t witnessed Chris marry Maia, hadn’t acknowledged him as family.


    Fists clenched until knuckles went white, shoulders trembling, Ethan suddenly felt a warm drop on his hand. Another followed. His tears fell freely, unstoppable.


    At that very moment, Ethan could no longer hold back the flood of emotions surging through him.


    Elsewhere, in a shadowed room, a faint gasp broke the silence.


    Raegan’s eyes fluttered open.


    Moonlight sliced through a high window, casting a pale streak across the floor.


    Her limbs were tightly bound, a gag silencing her, leaving herpletely powerless.


    Shattered fragments of memory raced through her mind—gunfire, a haze of blood, and the figure copsing.


    It felt almost unreal, yet she knew it had all truly urred.


    The fatal shot that felled Chris hade from the subordinate who followed her orders. Maia had been the target, but it had been the leader who took the bullet. The only man Raegan had ever loved.


    Grayson’s voice echoed in her mind. “You fool…”


    She felt herself plummeting from unimaginable heights, suspended between heaven and hell, fate dealing its cruelest hand.


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