Chapter 176
176
Then , an idea hit me.
+25 BONUS
I pulled out all the cash I had and tossed it everywhere on the ground , scattering bills, coins, and my watch, too. People naturally went for money or valuables. Every second counted , even if it bought me just a few extra seconds.
Another second meant another chance to live.
The desperate hunger to survive surged through me like never before, giving me strength I didn’t even know I had. Despite my body being held together by screws and steel plates, I somehow clawed my way to the top of that damn mountain.
But when I finally reached the peak, my heart dropped. It wasn’t salvation waiting for me up there–it was a sheer cliff overlooking a lake.
This would’ve been my golden ticket if I were the old me. I’d have jumped without even thinking twice. The lake wasn’t frozen, even in winter, and looked deep. The odds of surviving that jump would have been way higher than sticking around and getting caught.
But now, I was no longer who I used to be. With all the steel plates holding me together, diving off this cliff would mean certain death–and a painful one at that.
I stared down in complete despair.
Was God punishing me for surviving the last time? Was fate determined to see me plunge to my death, finishing the job it failed to do before? 2
I wasn’t ready to go out like this. I refused to accept it. If I’d died last time, that would’ve been it. But no–life wasn’t done with me yet.
It dragged me back and made me survive just to put me through the worst kind of suffering. It tore me apart and broke me in ways I didn’t think were possible. And now, after all that, it was bringing me right back to the edge, forcing me to face death all over again.
I refused to accept this but there was nothing I could do.
There was a cliff in front of me. No way I was making it out alive if I jumped. And behind me, Travis and his men were getting closer. If they caught me, whatever happened next would be worse than dying.
Their shouts grew louder as they closed in on me.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the knife I had hidden away.
If today was the day I had to die, then fine. At least I’d be the one to decide how it ended.
Irvin had not only sent out search teams but used advanced tracking equipment. After those video calls with Travis, he’d quickly pinpointed Julianne’s location.
He stormed in with his men.
When he stepped into the abandoned, run–down factory, he saw Julianne alone, sprawled on the ground, completely wrecked. She lay there, broken.
His expression darkened with fury at the scene. Without hesitation, he strode forward and scooped her up in his
arms .
176.
+25 BONUS
The moment Julianne saw him, tears streamed down her face. She cried, “Irvin…”
She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Julianne had indeed always been playing around, but only with rich men she handpicked, in upscale places.
But now being surrounded by these lowlifes in such a horrible place, she felt disgusted, miserable, and humiliated beyond words. The pain was unbearable, eating her alive from the inside out.
Irvin gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe her as he murmured softly, “It’s okay now. You’re safe . It’s all over.” Just as Julianne started to lean into his chest, ready to cry her eyes out so he’d feel even more sorry for her and treat her even better, Irvin abruptly handed her off to one of the men beside him.
“Take care of her,” Irvin ordered calmly.
Julianne froze, stunned.
After everything she’d endured, the trauma and humiliation, Irvin wasn’t desperate to hold her tight and comfort her. He wasn’t frantically rushing her to the hospital or clinging to her protectively. Instead, he had handed her off to another man.
Was this really the Irvin she knew?
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