Chapter 144 Jody’s last breath

Chapter 144 Jody’s last breath
"Jody, hold on! Don't close your eyes!" Rose cried out, her voice breaking under the weight of her uncontrollable sobs.
She cradled Jody's head in her lap, stroking his face, which was growing increasingly pale and cold. Thick blood continued to pour from his left chest, soaking Rose's dress and dripping onto the concrete floor.
Jody directed his fading gaze toward Rose's face. He tried to draw a breath, but only a heavy, rattling sound emerged from his throat.
"Rose..." Jody whispered softly, almost drowned out by the sound of Emily's crying behind them.
"I'm right here, Jody. I'm right here. The ambulance will be here any second," Rose said quickly, her trembling fingers wiping away the blood at the corner of Jody's lips.
Jody shook his head very weakly. "No... my time... is running out."
"Don't talk right now! Save your strength!" Evan cut in firmly. He pressed down hard on Jody's chest to help stop the heavy bleeding, his own hands completely covered in blood.
Jody tilted his eyes toward Evan. His weak, trembling hand reached up, taking hold of Evan's wrist and gripping it tightly with what little strength he had left.
"Evan..." Jody called out, his voice fragmenting.
"I'm right here, Jody," Evan answered, lowering himself and listening with a tense expression.
"Forgive me... for all my past mistakes," Jody said, his eyes welling with tears as he looked at Evan. "I... once ruined both of your lives."
"It's over, Jody. Don't bring that up now," Evan replied softly, tightening his grip on Jody's fingers.
Jody shifted his gaze back to Rose, who was still spilling tears onto his face. "Rose... I'm so sorry. I hurt you so much... I was a terrible fiancé to you."
Rose shook her head rapidly, holding back her ragged breath. "I've already forgiven you, Jody. I forgive everything. Please, hold on for me."
Jody's pale lips formed a faint smile. "I'm relieved... to hear that from your mouth."
Jody took a short breath that sounded exceptionally heavy, then tightened his hold on Evan's hand and Rose's hand resting against his chest.
"Evan... please..." Jody whispered, his eyes locked onto Evan.
"Tell me, Jody. What do you need?" Evan asked quickly.
"Make Rose happy... never hurt her..." Jody said, his voice growing fainter. "Take care... take care of your child."
Evan looked into Jody's eyes with utter sincerity, then gave a firm nod. "I promise you, Jody. I will make Rose happy and protect this family for the rest of my life."
Jody let out a long breath. The strain on his face seemed to lift instantly. His eyes slowly closed, and his grip on Evan's wrist gradually loosened, falling limp onto the concrete floor.
"Jody? Jody!" Rose called out, gently tapping his cheek.
There was no answer. The man's chest ceased moving up and down.
"Jody!" Rose shrieked hysterically, dropping down to wrap her arms tightly around Jody's head against her chest. Her sobs filled every corner of the quiet, old room.
Evan bowed his head deeply, closing his eyes tightly while wiping his tense face. He drew a deep breath to master his own emotions, then reached out to wrap an arm around Rose's shoulder from behind.
"He's gone, Rose," Evan whispered softly, his voice raspy.
Outside the room, the wail of police sirens and ambulances echoed closer to the old building. Red and blue lights flashed through the shattered windows on the wall.
The front door burst wide open. Several paramedics rushed in carrying a stretcher, followed by a squad of heavily armed police officers.
Dylan stood up from the corner of the room, pointing toward the two security officers still pinning Lusy to the floor. "Take that woman!"
The police moved quickly, snapping handcuffs around both of Lusy's wrists and pulling her upright.
"Let me go! This isn't over! Rose, you don't get to be happy!" Lusy shrieked hysterically, thrashing as the police dragged her out through the doorway.
Rose paid no attention to Lusy's screams. She remained sobbing quietly while stroking Jody's cold forehead, right until the paramedics gently took charge of the body to place it onto the stretcher.
Evan helped Rose to her feet, took a frightened Emily from Dylan's arms, and passed her into Rose's embrace.
"We're going home now," Evan said gently, placing his arm around Rose's waist.
Rose nodded faintly, leaning her head against Evan's chest while holding Emily close. They walked slowly out of the old building, stepping into the night beneath the flashing police lights.
As Evan opened the car door for Rose and Emily, Dylan approached with a tense expression, holding his lit phone screen.
"Evan, there's something you need to see," Dylan said quietly.
Evan turned to face Dylan. "What is it now, Dylan?"
Dylan handed over his phone screen, displaying a digital document marked with a special classification code. "Lusy wasn't working alone."