Ch. 286: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 286

Chapter 286

Norah clung tightly to Kevin's jacket, her knuckles pale with tension. She couldn't bear to look back, terrified of what she might see, fearing the worst.

Kevin's deep, steady voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. “Be good. Don’t be scared. You’re safe now,” he said, his tone calm despite the chaos around them.

Those few words grounded her, giving her the strength to hold on. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” she murmured, more to convince herself than anyone else.

Behind them, one of Kevin’s comrades in camouflage called out urgently. “Captain Edwards!” His voice was tight with concern.

The firefight earlier had kept the others pinned down, unable to cross to where Kevin was. Now, they watched helplessly, unsure if their captain had made it through unscathed.

Kevin handed Norah to the men as soon as they reached him. “Get her out of here,” he ordered firmly.

The team wasted no time. They bundled Norah into the safety of a vehicle and sped off, the tires kicking up a cloud of dust.

Inside the car, Norah’s heart raced uncontrollably. She gripped Kevin’s sleeve as if it were a lifeline. “Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay,” she asked, her voice trembling.

Kevin, sitting upright despite the ordeal, placed his hand gently over hers. “I’m fine,” he assured her, his voice steady.

But Norah wasn’t convinced. She studied his face, noting its alarming paleness. Something was wrong.

Her worst fears were confirmed when she felt something warm and sticky on her hand. The metallic tang of blood filled the air. Her hand trembled as she lifted it, now stained crimson.

“Kevin…” she whispered, her voice breaking.

He had been shot.

Panic surged through her as she frantically searched for the source of the bleeding. Her eyes landed on the wound—a gunshot to his left chest. Blood was pouring out fast.

“You’re not okay!” she cried, pressing her hands against the wound in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. “You’ve been shot, Kevin! Do you hear me?”

Kevin grimaced but still tried to downplay his injury. “I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. Just get me to the hospital.”

Norah turned to the driver, her voice frantic. “Hurry! Get to the hospital!”

The car sped down the road, the engine roaring.

Kevin leaned back, his body slick with cold sweat, but he still reached for Norah’s trembling hand. “Calm down,” he urged, his voice soft but firm. “You need to take care of yourself too.”

Her tear-streaked face turned toward him, her eyes wide with anguish. “Why, Kevin? Why would you risk your life like this? They were after me, not you! You didn’t have to come!”

Kevin’s lips curved into a faint smile despite the pain. “How could I not? I couldn’t just stand by and let you fall.”

Tears streamed down Norah’s face as her voice cracked with emotion. “And now I owe you again. How am I supposed to repay this?”

“You don’t,” Kevin replied simply.

“But I have to!” she choked out. “If anything happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Kevin’s voice was barely audible, his strength fading. “I won’t die, Norah. I can’t. Who else will protect you if I’m gone?”

His words only made her cry harder. “You’re such an idiot,” she sobbed.

Kevin mustered a weak laugh. “Maybe. But you’re worth it.”

Norah clutched his hand tightly as the hospital came into view. Military vehicles rolled in, and medical staff rushed out, pushing a gurney toward them.

Kevin was carefully lifted onto the gurney, his breathing shallow. Oxygen was strapped to his face, and the nurses worked quickly to stabilize him.

Norah followed closely, refusing to let go of his hand until they reached the operating room.

“Ma’am, you need to wait outside,” a nurse said, stopping her gently but firmly.

The doors swung shut with a resounding thud, leaving Norah frozen in place.

She stared at the red light above the operating room door, her heart in her throat. Every passing second felt like an eternity.

“Norah! Norah!”

The familiar voice of Gloria snapped her out of her daze. She turned to see her friend rushing toward her, worry etched across her face.

“Are you okay?” Gloria asked, grabbing her shoulders.

Norah’s gaze remained fixed on the operating room door. “If I hadn’t insisted on going to the hospital for a check-up, none of this would’ve happened,” she said quietly, her voice thick with guilt.

Gloria’s expression hardened. “Don’t say that, Norah. This isn’t your fault. You can’t predict or prevent every danger. The people who did this are the ones to blame, not you.”

Norah finally looked at Gloria, her eyes hollow. “If I could protect myself, Kevin wouldn’t have to risk his life for me.”

Gloria’s grip tightened. “Kevin would protect you no matter what. He cares about you, Norah, more than anything. And that’s why you need to stay strong—for him.”

Norah’s lips trembled, and she nodded slowly, her gaze returning to the glowing light above the operating room.

“Kevin,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “You promised me. You have to make it through.”