The weight that had been pressing on her chest for days finally lifted.


    Evangeline could finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    Seeing that both he and Soren were still asleep, she moved quietly, tiptoeing out of the cave.


    She went to the spot where Soren had fallen.


    It had been too dark to see clearly at night. Now, in the light, she saw that the area


    above them was incredibly steep. The rock face was covered in moss and looked treacherous and slippery after the rain.


    Whether it was rescuers trying to get down or them trying to climb up, it was practically impossible.


    One wrong step, and you''d end up just like Soren.


    If Glenn Carlisle was part of the rescue team and found out what happened to Soren, he would likely halt the rescue from this direction and try to find another way.


    After all, Glenn knew it wasn''t worth endangering others to save them.


    They really had to leave this spot and find another way out, Evangeline thought to herself.


    Just then, she heard the faint snap of a twig breaking behind her.


    Evangeline turned and saw Finn walking out.


    She had just unleashed her anger on Finn yesterday, and though Soren''s situation had distracted her, seeing him now made Evangeline feel inexplicably guilty and awkward.


    Ultimately, Finn had only been thinking of her well-being, but not only had she rejected his concern, she had thrown harsh words back at him.


    Evangeline pressed her lips together, her voice a bit stiff. "How... are you feeling?"


    "When I woke up this morning, my heart hurt," Finn said, clutching his chest. "Your heart hurts?"


    Evangeline''s heart skipped a beat.


    Her expression turned serious, and she hurried toward him. "What kind of pain? Is it constant or does ite and go?"


    Finn hadn''t told her how he was really feeling since the fall, and without a doctor, she had no way of knowing if he had internal injuries.


    Now that Finn was admitting he was in pain, she didn''t suspect a thing.


    She reached out to feel for his heartbeat, but the moment her hand touched him, Finn caught it, leaned down, and kissed her.


    Evangeline froze.


    "Mm, it doesn''t hurt anymore," Finn said with a soft chuckle.


    He sighed again. "Maybe it was the pain of disappointment when I woke up and realized you hadn''t snuck a kiss."


    Finn was teasing her, just like always.


    She thought she would react with her usual exasperation, but instead, Evangeline''s eyes welled up and tears began to stream down her face.


    Finn panicked.


    "I was just kidding."


    "I''m fine, really, I''m fine."


    He awkwardly raised his hands, trying to wipe her tears away.


    It wasn''t that Finn had never seen a


    ww simply offer a tissue and


    before. Most of the time,


    think nothing more of it. >


    He wasn''t afraid of women''s tears, but right now, he was at aplete loss.


    In the month they''d been together, Evangeline had always been calm and


    But the situation was different now. She had been terrified for days.


    He had only been trying to lighten the mood. He hadn''t thought it through. Finn instantly regretted teasing her.


    Just as he was struggling with what to do, Evangeline wrapped her are


    around his neck, stood on her toes, and kissed him.


    As if venting her frustration, Evangeline even bit his lip.


    It was a gentle bite.


    It felt less like anger and more like a provocation.


    A thrill shot through Finn, and he took the lead.


    After a long while, when Finn noticed Evangeline''s breathing had be ragged,


    he finally let her go.


    Evangeline''s voice was muffled and a little hoarse.


    "Finn, I hate the wild fruit here. I want to eat at that breakfast ce downstairs."


    Finn understood what she meant.