Chapter 1104:

In that moment, the man who had always faced danger without fear felt his eyes sting with sudden heat. His throat worked as he swallowed, struggling to speak. Even on the brink of collapse, he managed a faint joke, his voice rough and trembling. “If your grandfather found out you came here planning to die alongside me… he’d likely arrange my death before yours.”

A small, tired smile touched Rylie’s lips. “I wouldn’t let that happen,” she said quietly.

She opened her medical kit with quick, practiced movements, her eyes fixing on his damaged leg. Her expression hardened slightly at the sight.

Inside the wound, she could see fragmented bone buried deep in bruised, swollen tissue. For a brief moment, her fingers flexed almost imperceptibly, and then she moved with urgency, slipping on gloves and starting the cleaning and bleeding control with practiced skill.

Partway through, she glanced up at Brad and noticed something alarming.

Normally, this kind of treatment would be unbearably painful, yet he hadn’t flinched or groaned. Her stomach sank—his leg’s nerves must have been completely severed.

Rylie kept her expression steady, blinking rapidly to push back the tears threatening to fall.

“I know this injury is severe,” Brad admitted. He couldn’t see his leg, but he already knew the truth. He had no control over it, and given their surroundings, there was virtually no hope of saving it.

A wave of sorrow rose in him, but after a quick mental assessment, he spoke in a measured tone, trying to soothe her. “You’ve done all you can. With me like this… you won’t get far trying to carry me.”

Rylie took a slow breath and remained silent. Once she finished the urgent treatment, she surveyed the area, broke off a few strong branches for splints, and began stabilizing his leg with a combination of medical tools and improvised supports.

𝗤𝘂𝖺lі𝘵𝗒 𝘁r𝖺𝗇𝘴𝘭a𝗍ioո𝗌 𝗈𝗻 𝘨𝘢𝗹𝘯𝗈v𝘦𝗹ѕ.c𝗈𝗆

As he watched her work quietly, Brad’s gaze drifted to the dark jungle beyond. He knew the enemy would track them again soon, and once her ammo ran out, their chances of getting away would be slim.

“Rylie,” Brad said, lifting a hand to grasp the hem of her jacket gently. Despite the pain, he spoke softly. “Listen. My leg… I can’t feel it at all. The nerves are gone, the bones shattered. You’re a doctor—you know how serious this is. The East Islet forces will catch up with us soon. You need to get out of here.”

“It’s not as bad as it seems,” Rylie said firmly, her tone calm. “Once we get you out of here, I can fix it. Trust me.”

“I can’t let you go down with me. You’ve got your whole life ahead.” Brad’s hand gripped her jacket, weak but refusing to release. “Get out of here. Build the life you deserve.”

He couldn’t bear the thought of her being caught in a fate meant for him alone. This was his burden, his final chapter. She deserved happiness untouched by this mess. If he ended up as little more than a fading memory, it didn’t matter.

Rylie raised her rain- and blood-streaked face, meeting his gaze directly, even as blood loss clouded his vision.

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