Template placeholder with Chapter 184

Chapter 184:

“Wait—his leg’s pinned beneath the steering wheel,” Wyatt said.

A flicker of hopelessness crossed Amelia’s eyes. Thick smoke and the stench of gasoline signaled the fire was closing in fast.

“Stay where you are, Amelia—don’t move!” Wyatt’s voice dropped to a tense whisper, then he vaulted back through the rear window into the wreckage. Navigating the cramped interior, he edged to the front and bent low to work at Barrie’s trapped leg.

A surge of pain snapped Barrie fully alert.

Tears threatened as he watched Wyatt, overwhelmed. Most wealthy families treated a bodyguard like him as expendable, yet with fire threatening to claim them, Wyatt refused to leave him behind.

Using every ounce of strength, Wyatt wrenched Barrie’s leg free and quickly instructed, “Step on my shoulder—use it to get out p>

ոо𝗏𝘦𝗅s 𝗶ո 𝘵𝘳𝘦n𝘥 𝗼𝗻 ѕ.𝖼𝗼𝗺

Barrie’s eyes widened. “I—I can’t do that! It wouldn’t be right p>

“There’s no time for pride or manners,” Wyatt cut in. “If you stall, you’re putting both Amelia and me at risk p>

By the time he finished, he was already perched on the steering wheel, braced and ready.

Reluctant but desperate, Barrie dragged himself upward, limbs weak, finally pressing his weight onto Wyatt’s shoulder to escape.

Emotion welled in Amelia’s eyes as she watched. Wyatt’s selflessness proved he was the most compassionate soul she’d ever known.

“Barrie, reach up to me p>

No sooner had Barrie appeared in the window than Amelia seized his hand. With Wyatt pushing from below and Amelia pulling from above, they hauled Barrie out in a frantic rush.

“Wyatt, get out now—hurry!” Amelia shouted.

A soft reply floated up before Wyatt started his climb, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit just as he reached the window, sending him slipping back down. Amelia’s hand shot out, catching his wrist before he could fall, and Barrie sprang into action, grabbing Wyatt’s other arm.

Together, they strained against gravity until, at last, Wyatt was dragged to safety. Flames roared behind them, and without looking back, all three leapt away from the car.

Landing on the sand spared them from serious injury, though Barrie winced as pain shot through his foot.

There was no time to dwell on it. Instinct kicked in—they ran as fast as their battered bodies allowed.

Then a deafening blast split the air behind them.

A wave of metal fragments and blistering heat washed over their backs as the car blew apart, throwing them to the ground.

Luckily, the sandy beach softened the impact, cushioning their fall.

After a dizzy pause, Amelia looked up and heard Barrie coughing, but Wyatt was silent.

Fear prickled through her as she turned to find Wyatt lying unmoving by her side.