If you only knew...

71.Back home

Ana's POV

As we wait for Nate, the night surrounds us in a dark embrace. I gently cradle Xavier's head in my lap, and he remains silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon, searching for something beyond our grim reality. His head rests on my thighs as if seeking solace. The distress etched on his face speaks volumes—it's a silent language of suffering that I can't help but feel deeply. I notice how this dangerous life leaves its mark on him, wearing him down; each wound seems to drain his strength, each bruise whispering a plea for rescue. He's fighting a battle that feels too heavy for him to bear, and it pains me to think that all of this is for my sake.

"You've been hurting yourself too much lately," I murmur softly, tracing the contours of his cheek with my fingertips. "You've always insisted on shielding me, always positioning me away from danger while you faced it head-on," I continue. "But I can see it now — your body is reaching its limit. It can't take much more." The weight of my words lingers in the stillness, a desperate plea for him to recognize his own vulnerability.

"I'm finished with everything tied to this job. I promised you that," he says as he presses his palm against the bandage, his face twisting in pain as he struggles to breathe steadily. I can see the battle within him to remain conscious.

I gaze at him, my heart swelling with gratitude as I softly express my feelings. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. You protected me from the very beginning, and I can't express how much that means to me. I love you, and I promise to give you all the love you truly deserve in return."

His gaze sharpens, a flicker of intensity reflecting in his eyes. "I've never done any of this with the expectation of getting something back," he retorts softly but firmly. "I never tried to make you feel a particular way. All I want is your honesty about your feelings."

"You're everything I've ever dreamed of, Xavier," I say, my voice trembling with emotions."I know you can feel it too. Why do you always question my sentiments?"

"Ana..." he hesitates, his eyes searching mine. "If only for a day, you could just see through my eyes, you'd realize how the Earth would stop if you would choose me. If only for a day you would have my heart, you would understand the weight of my uncertainty..."

His words hang in the air, leaving me momentarily speechless. I fumble for the right response, my heart racing. "I'm sorry... I promise I will make things right."

He remains silent, his voice lost in the haze of pain that engulfs him. I can feel the weight of his weakness pressing down, each labored breath hinting at the fading light in his eyes. It's as if the very thread connecting him to this moment is fraying, and I sense he's slowly losing consciousness.

"I can't wait to get back home, to break free from everything that binds me, so we can finally be together. I promise you a beautiful ending for us! But for now, hold on just a little longer. Nate will be here soon, and we'll get you to a hospital. You've lost so much blood already." I continue talking, trying to keep him awake.

He nods slightly, his strength waning. "Yeah, we can do that. But we can't stay in this city for too long. The police will be on us any minute, taking blood samples and searching for our tracks. We've got to fly back soon and let our boss cover for us." he mutters weakly.

...................................

The moment Nate pulls up, we practically dive into his recently rented car. He slams the door shut, his foot pressing hard on the accelerator as he speeds toward the nearest hospital marked on the GPS. The desperation etched on his face is a sight I've never witnessed before—his eyes wide with panic, fingers gripping the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity as he weaves through the chaotic streets.