The raging fire was getting higher and higher and spread quickly. It was so hot around, but Estelle felt cold all over.
‘If these items are really explosives, no matter which direction I run, I will not be able to survive. Victor is a liar. He said that he wouldn’t live long taking revenge on Cristofer just to make me let my guard down. His real plan is to make Cristofer disappear from the world and take his place.’
“Estelle…” In the distance, a faint cry reached her ears. Peering through the trees, Estelle spotted Cristofer lying on the ground, covered in mud.
Cristofer had finally found Estelle and was clutching a branch beside him, struggling to get up. His pants were soaked with blood, and he looked pale. He gritted his teeth and tried to stand, but his legs trembled, causing him to fall again.
As the fire closed in on him, Estelle yelled, “Don’t come closer. You can’t save me…”
“I know,” Cristofer replied, making a bitter smile as he struggled to stand once more. “I can’t even save myself now. If I can’t save you, then let me… die with you.”
“No!” Estelle protested.
“Estelle…” Cristofer sighed, “I knew I wouldn’t leave here alive today. I thought Victor would spare you if I died. But I never expected him to betray his word and harm you like this. Estelle, I’m sorry for causing you more pain.”
“Cristofer…”
“I’m really sorry, Estelle. You’re right. I’ve only brought you suffering and pain. I didn’t want to admit it earlier, but now… I see how mistaken I was,” Cristofer confessed, overwhelmed by guilt and regret. “Estelle, I’m here for you. I won’t abandon you…” He said with sincerity but fell to the ground again. The approaching flames quickly caught his cotton hospital gown, and as the wind picked up, the fire on his clothes grew larger.
“Cristofer,” Estelle called his name with a distant tone, averting her gaze and lowering her head.
“I’m here. Don’t worry. I’ll join you soon. Just wait for me,” Cristofer said, oblivious to the coldness in her voice.
“Stay away from me,” Estelle suddenly uttered.
Hearing this, Cristofer was taken aback, raising his head to look at her.
With her head bowed, Estelle fought back tears and mustered the harshest and most hurtful words, “Even if I’m going to die, I don’t want to die with you. Get away from me!”
“What?” Cristofer asked, his disbelief appeared in his eyes.
“I don’t want to see you! Even if I’m going to die, I refuse to die with you,” Estelle cried out in hysteria. “I hate you! Stay away from me!”
With pain in his eyes, Cristofer responded, “Estelle, it’s clear you don’t love Victor.”
“I don’t love you either,” Estelle retorted, her gaze icy as she met his. “Cristofer, I almost lost my life because of you before, and after we broke up, you approached me under a false identity as Mr. Mysterious, deceiving me. I’ll never love you again in my life.”
“But…”
“I don’t want to hear your explanations. If you want to die, go to Victor and ask him to end your life or take your own. I don’t want to die with you. You said you hoped we could be together in our next life, but I hope I never meet you again in any life! Now, leave!”
The wind blew strongly, and the fire had consumed most of Cristofer’s clothing.
Refusing to meet his gaze, Estelle closed her eyes and added, “Cristofer, if you have any conscience left, stay away from me. I beg you.”
Cristofer didn’t reply, just stared at her. After a few moments of silence, he forced a smile and uttered in frustration, “Fine, I’ll go as you wish. But can I ask you one question before I go?”
“Ask quickly, then go,” Estelle said indifferently.
“You said you’ve fallen in love with Victor. Is that true?”
Estelle remained silent.
“I’m dying anyway. Could you give me an answer before I go?” Cristofer implored.
Before Estelle could answer his question, she heard sirens of police cars and fire engines coming from afar and was stunned. ‘The police and the firefighters came so soon. If they can put out the fire before it ignites the explosives, then Cristofer and I will be saved and survive!’
“Is anybody there?”
“Hello? Is there anyone?” The rescuers called as they walked into the forest.
“Yes! We are here!” Estelle cried for help.
“Okay. Stay there and wait for the rescue!” A rescuer’s voice came along.
Soon, the firefighters started to put out the fire. Smoke rose from the air, and the temperature around had dropped. After that, the rescuers ran to Estelle and untied her. He asked, “Miss, are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” Estelle said and then anxiously pointed at Cristofer, “He’s in a coma! Send him to the hospital as soon as possible!”
“Don’t worry. The ambulance came here, too. Both of you will be fine. Come with us.”
The rescuers put Cristofer on the stretcher and carried him away quickly. With the help of the rescuers, Estelle slowly walked out of the forest.
“There seem to be explosives buried here. Be careful when you clean up the site,” Estelle informed them.
“Explosives?”
“Yes,” Estelle nodded and said, “I smelled gunpowder earlier. Please be careful.”
“Okay, thanks for the warning. Let’s leave here first.”
As Estelle exited the forest, she spotted Victor, who had been captured by the police and approached him.
Victor wore a nonchalant expression as he looked at her and whispered, “Miss Hudson, you’ve got some guts. You actually managed to call the police right under my nose. I underestimated you.”
“You’ve been defeated,” Estelle replied firmly.
“Hah!” Victor chuckled mockingly, his eyes filled with cunning. “Do you think this is the end?”
Estelle felt a sense of unease. “What do you mean?” she asked.
Pointing at his chest, Victor said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
It was only at that moment that Estelle noticed Victor was wearing a heavy coat.
‘Even though it’s chilly today, there’s no need for such a thick coat unless… he’s hiding something in it!’ Estelle thought, and she felt a shiver down her spine. “What are you planning?” she asked nervously.
“Cristofer just questioned why I haven’t done something significant to reveal my true identity,” Victor replied.
“You…”
“It’s a brilliant idea. I’ll follow his advice.”
“Wait!” Estelle said immediately in a cold sweat when she saw Victor reach out his hand into his coat. She didn’t expect that Victor would have a Plan B, and she was a little flustered.
Although there were police officers nearby, they were focused on the raging fire and Cristofer, not noticing what Victor was up to.
Seeing Estelle in distress, Victor smirked and said, “Because of you, I’m facing a life sentence. Don’t bother trying to talk me out of it. I won’t change my mind.”
“Stay calm,” Estelle whispered, moving closer to him. “What if I can help you avoid this?”