Template placeholder with Chapter 331

Chapter 331:

In the basement.

Amelia pressed her coat tightly against her mouth and nose, crouching in a corner as the heat from the fire threatened to sear her skin.

Ricky, who had been yelling moments before, was now silenced by the smoke, mimicking Amelia by huddling in a corner.

Recalling the fabric she had tossed on the road as a clue, Amelia felt hope, but the encroaching flames reignited her fear.

She clung to the certainty that Wyatt would come to save her, though she had no idea when. The iron door remained locked, leaving her no choice but to wait in growing dread.

Just as her breathing grew labored, she heard a familiar voice.

At first, she thought she was hallucinating, but as the voice sharpened, she realized Wyatt had arrived.

A surge of strength coursed through her, propelling her to her feet and toward the door.

Her hands reached for it, but the scorching metal forced her to withdraw.

Through the door, she shouted with all her strength, “Wyatt p>

ѕ𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗶е𝘀 у𝗈𝘶 𝘄o𝘯’t р𝘶𝘁 𝘥𝗼𝗐𝘯 𝗼n 𝗀a𝗅ո𝗈𝘷е𝗅ѕ.с𝘰m

From his corner, Ricky watched her with a sneer. “Amelia, are you out of your mind? You think someone like Wyatt would risk his life for you? His life is worth more p>

“Amelia p>

Before Ricky could finish, Wyatt’s voice boomed through the door, his tall figure emerging through the smoke.

The mockery in Ricky’s eyes vanished, and he was left speechless.

Wyatt’s coat was singed in places, his face streaked with ash, but when he saw Amelia, the ice in his gaze melted into warmth.

Barrie, trailing behind, exhaled in relief at the sight of Amelia alive.

He could still feel the dread from watching Wyatt charge into the fire without a second thought; he had wondered if Wyatt would have followed Amelia into death if she hadn’t survived.

“Step back, Amelia,” Wyatt said.

Amelia retreated a few paces, and once she was clear, Wyatt slammed his foot against the iron door, toppling it with a resounding crash.

As Amelia rushed toward him, Wyatt wrapped her in his arms, saying, “Come on. I’ll get you out p>

He flung his coat over her head, its damp fabric easing the burning heat against her skin.

“Help… Help me p>

A desperate plea came from behind as they moved.

Even though Ricky was terrified of Wyatt, his survival instinct overpowered his fear as he saw them leaving.

He was curled in a corner, trapped by debris from the collapsing structure.

“Barrie, get him,” Amelia said.

“He almost got you killed, and you still want to save him p>

Wyatt had seen Ricky in the basement upon arrival but had no intention of rescuing him, believing his actions warranted a far worse fate.

Noticing the darkness in Wyatt’s eyes, Amelia explained, “He said Colton orchestrated this. He could be useful p>

At her words, Wyatt shot Barrie a glance, and Barrie moved toward Ricky.

As they emerged from the basement, flames engulfed the entrance.

Barrie had just pulled Ricky through when a deafening crash echoed behind them — a massive section of the wall had collapsed, sealing the exit.

Panic flared in Barrie’s eyes as he turned, wanting to rush back but driven back by the intense heat, helplessly watching Wyatt and Amelia surrounded by fire.

Facing the wall of fire, Wyatt gripped Amelia’s hand tightly.

The flames closed in, singeing Amelia’s hair, but with Wyatt beside her, she felt no fear.

“Amelia, do you trust me?” Wyatt asked.

Without words, she squeezed his hand in response.

Wyatt’s lips curved into a faint smile as he pulled her through the inferno.

Barrie lunged forward to help, but a burning beam crashed toward them. “Watch out!” he shouted.

Amelia shut her eyes, bracing for impact, but felt only Wyatt’s familiar presence and a stifled groan from him.

“Wyatt p>

Opening her eyes, she saw he had shielded her with his body, taking the beam’s blow.

His face went ashen in an instant, and Amelia called out his name, her voice thick with worry.

Hearing her, he murmured softly, “I’m alright. We need to move now p>

Flames clung to parts of his clothing, but he seemed oblivious to them, clutching Amelia close.

As Wyatt and Amelia stumbled out of the inferno, Barrie rushed to their side. Though battered, they were out of mortal danger, and Barrie let out a relieved breath.

Wyatt ignored his own wounds, his focus solely on Amelia. “Are you hurt?” he asked, scanning her carefully.

Noticing no major injuries, he relaxed slightly, but then his eyes caught the marks on her face. “Who did this to you p>

He had seen the swelling in the basement but hadn’t had time to ask anything about it.

Ricky, just pulled from the fire, flinched with panic at Wyatt’s question.

Wyatt’s gaze snapped to him, blazing with fury. “Did you hit her p>

“I made a mistake…” Ricky stammered.

“Which hand did you use?” Wyatt growled, his voice like steel.