Chapter 142
Audrey whipped around to see crowds hurtling in one direction. That exact direction was where they’d parked the car.
“I’ll grab them later.” She spun and dashed toward the commotion.
The nearest police officers had already reached the scene and cordoned it off. People at the front were ordered back, while those behind, clueless about the danger, kept shoving forward.
“What’s happening?” Audrey asked a woman beside her.ed.
“The road’s caved in. They said a car plunged into the sinkholel” the woman
“Was it black?” Audrey’s heart slammed into her throat.
Yann had had a car accident. Another accident could trigger severe trauma.
“Stop pushing! A pipeline ruptured. The sinkhole’s expanding. Move back now!” Someone a
jostle backward violently.
ahead barked through a megaphone, causing the crowd to
Audrey stumbled, nearly crashing to the ground, but the middle–aged woman steadied her and said, “Don’t gawk. Let the police handle it!”
“No. My friend’s in there!” Audrey fought forward, losing a shoe in the crush. She pressed with one bare foot, shouting hoarsely, “Make way! Let me through!”
The sinkhole, initially the size of a manhole, had been eroded by gushing wastewater below, now fully swallowing a sedan.
A white car parked nearby teetered precariously on the edge, its owner screaming uselessly beside it.
The sunken car rapidly submerged in murky water, its make unrecognizable. Fire trucks arrived with blaring sirens, but with the ground still collapsing, they couldn’t launch a rescue and could only begin pumping out water.
“Back! Everyone get back! Are you trying to get killed?!” A policeman grabbed Audrey as she tried slipping in under the cordon.
“My friend! That’s my friend’s car down there!” Her eyes bloodshot, Audrey screamed over the chaos, refusing to let tears fall.
The cop gave her a sympathetic look. “The pros are on it. You’ll just put yourself in danger if you go near.”
“I’ll stay out of the way, I swear. He had a bad car crash before. He could lose it!” Audrey pleaded earnestly, her forehead covered with sweat, but the officer wouldn’t budge.
Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shouted, “Ya… Yanny! I’m right here! The rescuers are here! I’m not leaving!”
She couldn’t call him “Yann“. If the media caught wind, his safety could tank the company’s stock.
The car in the sinkhole was nearly underwater. The driver shattered the window, but the current slammed him back, choking him with filthy water each time he tried to surface.
“Yanny! Ya…” A grip on her waist stopped her from lunging forward, and a large hand clamped over her mouth. She twisted around and met Yann’s flustered, worried eyes, going limp in his hold.
Yann towered over the crowd, his crisp suit crumpled from the crush. Shielding her, he muscled through the throng, pulling her clear.
As soon as they broke free, Audrey pinched his arm hard.
“Ouch!” Yann hissed.
“It’s real.” She grabbed his face, but he caught her wrist. “It’s really you.”
1/3
Chapter 142
As she stared up at him, her laugh dissolved into sobs. Her shoulders shook violently as she buried her face in his chast, bwyding
The panic had been so intense that she hadn’t let herself feel the sorrow until now. When her father died, it felt like the world ended, levies with every joy and sorrow.
Yann filled that empty space, carrying her through her darkest days. Without realizing it, the bond she had with her family had transferred to him:
Audrey once thought that even if they coulder
lovers, being lifelong confidants would be enough–just to watch him live a long, happy life
When she’d been convinced Yann was dead moments earlier, the gut–wrenching pain had been unbearable.
Audrey sobbed, pounding his rigid chest. “Wher
did you go? I thought… I thought…”
Yann swiped at her tears, voice soft. “Went to grab
a claw machine prize. Got a huge stuffed animal.”
At first, the sinkhole was tiny and unnoticed until
By a twist of fate, Yann had told Calvin to turn around and
The more he wiped, the harder she cried until her legs gave out and she sagged against him.
At the sight of her bare foot, Yann’s gaze sharpened. He lifted her bridal–style and carried her toward the car.
go
a
car
back for the claw machine. They’d just pulled away when the road collapsed.
r plunged in with a thunderous crash, drawing crowds.
Calvin had thought it was a tire blowout at first. When he realized Audrey wasn’t at the fruit stand across the street, panic set in–she must think they’d been caught in the collapse.
Audrey’s mind was fuzzy from crying, and her tears only slowed
ce
they were home. Calvin didn’t even step inside, making a quick excuse to leave.
Changing into slippers, Audrey sniffled up the stairs. Waiting for Yann at the top, she blurted, “Yann, I saved your life. I won’t let you die!” Then she kissed
him.
On the drive back, she’d made up her mind. Since tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, she’d seize the moment, enjoy the man, and enjoy life. That way, she would have no regrets, even if they eventually parted.
Her bashful advance ignited the desire he’d bottled up for so long. Heart pounding, he still cradled her waist gently, murmuring hoarsely, “Yes, ma’am.”
Audrey hooked her arms around his neck, nearly climbing him. Yann staggered back and abruptly lifted her. In a dizzying motion, Audrey found herself on Yann’s bed.
He towered over her, eyes blazing with barely leashed heat. His Adam’s apple bobbed, voice strained. “Is this okay?”
Audrey’s face burned. She bit her lip and nodded. “Mhm.”
Her voice was a breathy whisper, barely there, but it shattered his self–control.
Pain jolted through her, and Audrey couldn’t stop herself from digging her nails into his shoulders, fresh tears spilling even as she’d just calmed down.
Yann froze mid–motion, his deep eyes blazing with pure elation. He’d already been thrilled beyond words to have Audrey back. He never imagined she I was still innocent.
He murmured her name, “Audrey.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
