Chapter 69

Chapter 69:

Now, in this burning wreck, he was her only hope.

Each ring seemed to drag on forever, the silence more deafening than the flames. The car was slowly being consumed by fire, and the smoke was choking her. Time was running out.

Sadie dialed again, panic clawing at her chest. Every ring felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Her pulse raced, her thoughts frantic. Please, just pick up.

Then, at last, the call connected.

“Are you serious? Can’t you leave me alone?” Noah’s cold and impatient voice snapped through.

Before Sadie could speak, Noah continued, his tone clipped, “Kyla’s in critical condition. I don’t have time for this. If you have something to say, then wait.”

“I’m dying, Noah…” Sadie’s voice was barely a whisper, weak and strained. “For everything we were, please, save me…”

The smoke filled Sadie’s lungs, a burning ache that made her vision swim and everything around her fade into a blur. She held the phone tightly, clinging to it as if it were her last thread of hope.

Noah’s brow furrowed as he heard the desperation in Sadie’s voice. “What’s happening, Sadie?”

Sadie’s words sounded hollow and distant, and Noah felt a flicker of concern. But before he could press further, Kyla suddenly gasped, coughing violently, and she tried to tear the oxygen mask off her face.

“Kyla!” Noah’s voice rang out, his tone full of urgency. He quickly grabbed her hands and tried to soothe her. “It’s okay. I’m here. Just breathe.”

Noah turned his head toward his phone, his voice taking on a sharp, frosty edge. “Kyla can’t be left alone. Sadie, enough with these childish games.”

The word “childish” echoed, tightening an invisible grip around Sadie’s heart, the pain almost suffocating her. Words failed her as she struggled to respond.

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Then, with a harsh beep, the line went dead. The relentless busy signal hammered in Sadie’s ears, each tone driving deeper into her dwindling hope.

Her gaze dropped. She was utterly crushed, her phone slipping through her trembling fingers. Even if she were gasping for her last breath, she would never hold a place in Noah’s heart like Kyla did.

How the hell could he be this cruel? After all these years, it dawned on Sadie that her love had been tragically misplaced.

As her consciousness began to fade, a silhouette darted through the encroaching flames toward her.

“Sadie!” The voice, urgent and laden with profound concern, pierced the chaos.

Sadie’s eyes fluttered shut.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. Opening her eyes, Sadie was greeted by the stark, blinding whiteness of the ceiling above, the acrid scent of disinfectant assaulting her nostrils.

She attempted to shift her position, but a sharp sting from her injuries made her grimace painfully.

“Stay still. You’re hooked up to an IV.” A stiff, uneasy voice broke the silence beside her.

Turning toward the source, Sadie saw Alex. Strands of his hair were burnt at the tips, his face was smudged with grime, and the collar of his shirt was charred.

There was no doubt—he had walked through hell itself for her. A rush of warmth flooded Sadie’s heart at the realization.

“You came for me, didn’t you?” she asked, her voice laden with certainty.

Catching a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, Alex nodded, his voice soft. “Yes, I did.”

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