Chapter 652

Chapter 652:

The blistering heat dried his skin and evaporated the moisture from his body, loosening the ropes that bound his hands.

“Ah!” Stephen growled, straining every muscle to free his hands from the ropes.

Though the ropes sliced into his skin, he gritted his teeth and pushed through, peeling them away with flesh tearing along the way. After enduring unbearable pain, Stephen finally broke free from the bindings.

A harsh cough racked his body as pain hit him like a wave.

Even through the agony, the sharp stabs of discomfort kept him tethered to reality.

He pressed his hand to his mouth and nose, struggling to stay upright as he moved towards the door. But as soon as he opened it, a wave of scorching heat hit him, knocking him back with a force he couldn’t resist.

Stephen crumpled to the floor, disoriented and dizzy. The searing heat from the floor sent sharp tremors through his body, making him gasp in pain.

The overwhelming sensation threatened to pull him under, his grip on consciousness slipping away.

Was this how it was going to end for him?

“Stephen…”

Was it a voice?

Or was his mind playing tricks on him in his final moments?

“Stephen…”

But this voice seemed to grow nearer and strangely familiar.

“Stephen, don’t fall asleep!” A face—beautiful and filled with worry—came into view, bringing clarity to his blurred vision.

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 @ g⍶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽𝖼𝗈𝗆

Stephen’s eyes widened as his scattered thoughts snapped into focus. “Janice? Is it really you? Am I dreaming?”

“Stephen, hang on. I’m getting you out of here,” Janice said, pressing a damp cloth to his mouth and nose before pulling him up.

Stephen’s eyes sharpened. At the edge of death, he never imagined Janice would appear like an angel, pulling him from the abyss.

A loud explosion rang out.

A blast of heat surged, with flames instantly blocking their way out. “Janice, thank you for saving me. But you should go. I don’t want to hold you back.”

Stephen glanced at the woman beside him, her face glowing with an otherworldly beauty in the firelight. He realized he was seeing the most breathtaking sight of his life.

“Stop talking!” Janice shot back. “I’m here, and I won’t let you die! Not even Death himself will take you!”

Stephen’s eyes widened. The woman before him was fierce, yet her presence brought an unexpected warmth to his heart.

He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly inside. Had the years of torment from Wendy warped his mind, making him find comfort in Janice’s boldness?

No…

Janice was different.

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