Chapter 1877
Thick smoke filled Karina’s lungs, choking her until she felt she might suffocate at any moment.
Even with a damp towel pressed against her nose and mouth, she knew their time was running out. If rescue didn’t arrive soon, they wouldn’t last much longer.
She turned slightly, looking at the man beside her.
Wilfred was holding her tightly in his arms, his body a protective shield against the flames that danced dangerously close.
Her nose stung, and an overwhelming wave of emotion surged through her. For the first time in years, she felt the urge to cry.
If this truly was the last moment fate would allow them, it felt cruelly short. She might lose consciousness
at any second, and there was no guarantee either of them would wake again.
It wasn’t logical, but Karina couldn’t stop herself. In a voice barely audible, hoarse from the smoke, she whispered, “In our next life, I still want to be with you.”
She felt a firm squeeze on her waist-it was Wilfred’s hand, strong and deliberate.
He didn’t say a word, but his message was crystal clear: “Don’t say such things.”
It was rare to see him so angry.
Karina said nothing more.
The smoke grew denser, stinging her eyes until she could barely keep them open. The heat around them became unbearable, sweat soaking her clothes. The crackling of flames consuming everything in their path was the only sound she could hear.
If she were alone in this, fear might have completely overtaken her.
But with Wilfred’s solid presence by her side, she felt a glimmer of strength, even as terror loomed. Just as her vision blurred and her consciousness began to fade, a sudden jet of water surged from nearby.
The fire hissed and sizzled as it was extinguished, and a group of firefighters broke through the thick smoke, rushing toward them.
They were saved.
*
Karina couldn’t hold on any longer. As relief washed over her, she closed her eyes and fainted.
When she opened her eyes again,
everything around her was stark white-the familiar setting of hospital room. This time, however, she was the one lying in the hospital bed.
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Her throat ached, raw and damaged from the smoke. Even her sense of smell was dulled; the usual sharp scent of disinfectant in the air was barely noticeable.
As she tried to move, she felt a hand clasp hers gently.
“You’re awake,” came Wilfred’s voice, a bit hoarser than usual, likely from the fire.
Karina bolted upright and threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly as tears streamed down her face.
The fabric of his shirt became damp
with her sobs as she clung to him,
to control her emotions after near-death experience
Wilfred wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair softly, his voice soothing as he comforted her.
It took her a long time to stop crying, and when she finally did, her eyes were red and swollen.
“I was so scared I’d never see you again…” she whispered, her voice cracking from how raw her throat
was.
Karina winced at the harsh rasp of her voice, clearly much worse than Wilfred’s.
He gave her an exasperated but affectionate look. “That’s what happens when you talk so much in a burning building.
“It was only a few sentences!” Karina thought, feeling a pang of indignation.
But then she muttered softly, “I was afraid if I didn’t say what was in my heart, I’d never get another chance.”
Her emotions were far more turbulent than his outward calm. Wilfred seemed so composed, as if he had never doubted their survival.
Suddenly, Karina felt his arms wrap around her again, this time with an unyielding force that left her breathless.
His voice, firm and unwavering, broke the silence.
“In that moment, all I could think was that the two of us would make it out alive.”
He pulled her closer, his words resonating deeply. “And that we still have a lifetime of happiness ahead of
us.