Ch. 349: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 349

Chapter 349

Karina’s fingers twitched as her tired eyes fluttered open. She caught sight of Norah's tear-streaked face and reached for her hand.

Norah noticed and quickly held her hand tightly. "Karina!"

Karina’s weak voice broke through. “It’s so cold…”

Norah hugged her trembling frame. “I’ve got you. You’re not cold anymore. I’m here.”

“Am I… dying?” Karina’s voice faltered. “I’m sorry… I couldn’t find the antidote for you… I…” She broke into a fit of coughing, her body shaking from the effort.

“It’s okay! Don’t talk,” Norah said, trying to calm her. “The ambulance is coming. You’ll be fine. I promise.”

Karina’s gaze drifted as her strength faded. “Don’t feel sorry for me,” she murmured. “I don’t matter much to you… but I did it for Jace… Living has always been exhausting. Maybe… it’s finally over.”

Her voice was laced with resignation. Karina had endured a life void of joy, a life where survival was her only achievement. She had no family, no love—only loneliness.

“Stop saying that!” Norah’s voice rose, desperate to spark a will to live in her. “You can live a good life now. Archer’s been arrested. This place is done for. No one can control you anymore. You can live the life you’ve always wanted. You love beauty, don’t you? You can live beautifully, but you have to fight. You can’t give up now!”

Her plea seemed to strike a chord. Karina’s dull eyes slowly focused on Norah. A faint smile tugged at her lips. “Can I… really live a good life?”

“Yes, you can!” Norah wiped the blood from Karina’s face with trembling hands. “You’ll have friends. You’ll have a family. You’ll be loved, cared for, and never abandoned again. You’ll be free!”

Tears streamed down Karina’s face as she whispered, “That… that sounds nice. I’ve never been loved before. Maybe… maybe I’d like to try.”

The medics arrived with a stretcher, laying it down beside Karina. Norah clung to Karina’s hand, feeling her shallow breaths and refusing to let go until the medics took over.

As they lifted Karina onto the stretcher, she held Norah’s gaze. In a hoarse whisper, she said, “I envy you, Norah… I really envy you.”

Norah felt her heart tighten. Karina envied her resilience, her positivity, her ability to emerge from darkness untainted.

“Sister!” Norah called out, her voice cracking. “I can protect you now!”

Karina’s teary eyes widened in surprise. Her lips quivered into a faint smile, bittersweet and full of pain. “You… protect me?” she whispered. “Your delicate self couldn’t even take a hit.”

Norah’s heart ached at the self-deprecating humor.

Karina had been her protector in that dark, desolate place they had both endured. A place where children fought each other for scraps of food and survival. Karina had fought for her, shielded her, while surviving her own ten-year nightmare.

Now, Norah felt helpless as Karina was taken away in one ambulance while she was guided into another. Through the car window, she saw the aftermath of the battle. Bandits were detained, bodies were being carried away, and the operation’s toll was clear.

In the chaos, she caught a glimpse of Archer. His head was covered, hands bound, and his battered body dragged along by soldiers. Levi and Frank emerged, their faces dark and tense, but Kevin was nowhere to be seen.

Her mind raced. Where is Kevin? Why isn’t he with them?

Her chest tightened as she recalled Kevin shielding Bianca. Maybe he had stayed behind with her.

A faint, humorless smile crossed her lips. Kevin always puts her first.

Ten minutes earlier.

Kevin lay crumpled on the ground, writhing in pain. His breathing was ragged, and his face was pale.

Bianca knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face. “Kevin… you can’t leave me. You can’t.”

Her voice trembled with desperation as she tried to lift him, but her strength wasn’t enough.

Looking around frantically, she screamed at Kevin’s guards. “What are you doing? Help him! Get him to the car!”

The guards hesitated only for a moment before rushing to Kevin. They lifted his convulsing body and carried him toward the nearest vehicle.

Bianca followed closely, her hands shaking as she watched Kevin struggle to breathe. Once he was placed in the back seat, she climbed into the driver’s seat and locked the doors.

“Captain Edwards…” one of the guards began, but Bianca cut him off.

“If you don’t want him to die, stay out of my way!” she snapped, her voice filled with panic and fury.

Slamming her foot on the accelerator, Bianca sped off, tears blurring her vision. “Hold on, Kevin. Just hold on.”

Her heart pounded as she raced against time, praying she could save him.