"Danger! Get down!"


    The crack of a gunshot shattered the dense forest air the moment the words left his lips. Birds burst from the trees, scattering in a flurry.


    The sudden turn of events sent the rescue team into a panic, with screams erupting as everyone scrambled for cover.


    Soren had noticed a suspicious, furtive figure behind a tree just moments before. The instant he saw the gun barrel aim at Evangeline, he acted on pure instinct, lunging toward her and shoving her aside.


    An explosive pain erupted in his chest.


    His action had been entirely subconscious. His mind went nk, and by the time he processed what had happened, his body could no longer support him, and he copsed to the ground.


    The intense pain robbed him of his ability to move. The sounds around him became a muffled, indistinct roar, like an ocean tide.


    Evangeline''s terrified, worried face was reflected in his eyes, but she only nced at him for a second before turning and being led away.


    His vision filled with the sight of her retreating back. He stared after her, but Evangeline never once looked back.


    Heartless woman.


    The thought was a mixture of anger and powerlessness. But in that moment, he suddenly remembered the car crash from nearly two months ago. The image of a blood-stained face, filled with terror and disappointment, shed in his mind.


    That was Evangeline.


    He btedly realized that she must have felt just as he did now, watching him leave so decisively, without a backward nce. So this was what it felt like to be abandoned by the entire world. It was an unbearable agony.


    He didn''t know how much time had passed. The gunshots and chaos had ceased at some point. He thought he heard Flora''s voice, a distant cry.


    "Soren!"


    Soren tried to open his eyes, but a thick wave of exhaustion washed over him. His vision went ck, and he lost consciousness.


    When he woke again, Soren was met with the strong smell of antiseptic.


    He struggled to open his eyes, taking in his surroundings. He was in a hospital.


    Before he could think too much, his first thought was of Evangeline.


    How was she? That man had been aiming for her!


    At the thought, he fought to sit up. Just then, a slight, rustling sound nearby caught his attention. Catching a figure in his peripheral vision, Soren instinctively tumed his head.


    Seeing who it was, he let out a short, quiet breath of relief.


    Evangeline was standing there, her


    gaze lowered as she carefully


    arranged a bouquet of flowers in the Vase on his bedside table. Soft


    Gel.


    sunlight streamed in from th


    window, enveloping her in a warm glow. She looked peaceful


    Soren watched her, and all his anxiety seemed to melt away.


    The anesthetic had worn off, and a dull ache throbbed in his chest. None of the sunlight that bathed Evangeline reached him, but inexplicably, he felt warm all over.


    Seeing that Evangeline was safe, Sorenpletely forgot the regret he''d felt for saving her just before he passed out.


    At least she has some decency, Soren thought to himself.


    On impulse, he remained silent, watching as she finished with the flowers and put the vase back in its ce As if sensing something Evangeline looked over in his


    direction.


    Their eyes met.


    Soren''s heart skipped a beat, and for the first time, he felt a strange urge to look away. He averted his gaze.


    But he quickly realized his reaction made no sense. He hadn''t done anything wrong. Why should he hide?


    With that thought, Soren looked back at her.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!