Chapter 20%
The island grew smaller in the distance as the helicopter cut through the storm, heading towards the vast ocean. The rain poured harder, drumming against the glass with an unsettling intensity. Briella sat anxiously, unable to stay still. Jared was just about to comfort her when the helicopter suddenly jolted. The pilot’s panicked voice rang out. “We’ve been shot!”
Briella’s apprehension turned into stark reality. Glancing out the window, she saw Sheldon’s helicopter closing in. The cabin door was wide open and Sheldon stood silhouetted against the wind, his gun trained on their rotor. “Sweetheart, come home with me!” he yelled, his voice strained.
Jared was stunned. “He’s completely insane.“}
Briella’s shock turned to fury. She pulled open the cabin door and shouted, “Sheldon! What will it take for you to let me go?“>
Sheldon let out a bitter, self–deprecating laugh. “Let you go? Then who’s going to let me go? I just love you. I just want a home with you.” Briella couldn’t bear this kind of love. She shook her head, her rejection more resolute than ever before. Sheldon swayed slightly and then his eyes flashed with renewed madness. “You’re going to say you hate me again, aren’t you? Fine, hate me then. Torture me for the rest of my life if you want.“}
Another shot rang out, striking the helicopter’s rotor. The aircraft began to spin out of control, veering wildly through the air. Briella was tossed about, disoriented, Sheldon’s words echoing in her ears like a curse. “Sweetheart, I love you. Come home with me.“?
Jared was just as dizzy, gasping, “Briella, ignore him. There are parachutes, we can jump.“}
But there were only two parachutes. The pilot was innocent and he deserved a chance to survive. Briella clenched her jaw. She made her decision in a heartbeat. “Jared, thank you for coming. If there’s a future, I’ll repay you someday.“}
Before her words even faded, she pulled open the door and leaped into the sea. Jared lunged, but his outstretched hand only managed to brush the hem of her clothes.
On the other helicopter, Sheldon went pale. His soul felt like it had been ripped from his body. “Briella!” His anguished cry pierced through the rain and without a moment’s hesitation, he jumped after her. Two figures plummeted through the storm.”
Jared gripped the edge of the cabin, frozen in shock. Sheldon was truly, utterly insane. The helicopter’s rotor gave out completely. A burning smell filled the cabin as fuel leaked from the tank. Before the explosion, Jared and the pilot jumped.}
The aircraft burst apart midair, metal fragments raining down into the sea, A jagged piece of wreckage plunged like a blade, piercing Briella’s side as she hit the water. Crimson bloomed in the ocean, her body rapidly losing heat.
Sheidon swam towards her with everything he had, his voice shaking in panic. “Baby, what’s wrong? You’ll be fine, you’re going to be fine! I’ll take you to a hospital, okay? Stay with me.”
Briella’s vision blurred, her body weak in his arms. Blood slipped from the corner of her lips as she whispered bitterly, “Sheldon, is this really how it has to be? Until one of us dies?“>
Sheldon trembled uncontrollably. “You’re not going to die, baby. I won’t let you. Just hold on!“}
The storm turned into a downpour, rain hammering down so hard they could barely keep their eyes open. Briella slowly lifted a trembling hand and cupped his icy cheek. “Sheldon, if you ever loved me… please, let the people around me go. I’m begging you.“}
It was the first time she had ever begged him, her voice barely a whisper. Sheldon broke down in tears and Briella agreed with his silence. A faint smile touched her lips as her hand slipped into the water.}
Before she lost consciousness, she heard Sheldon’s anguished cries. “Baby, don’t sleep. Please. I was wrong. I was so, so wrong.”
