Chapter 157: BLEEDING

Scarlet's POV

I kept my breathing steady, my body limp. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to remain still.

I wasn't unconscious. I had heard everything. Every word. Alex had surrendered. He had given himself up to save me.

I wanted to scream at him, to tell him he was an idiot for sacrificing himself. But I couldn't. Not yet. Not when his father was still here.

The moment Alex was dragged away, the heavy silence in the room made my skin crawl.

I felt his presence before I even opened my eyes. He was still here. Watching me. Waiting.

I forced myself to stay still, though every muscle in my body screamed at me to fight, to run. But I couldn't act too soon. I had to wait for the right moment.

"How pitiful," his voice finally broke the silence, laced with amusement.

I felt my fingers twitch.

A soft tap of shoes against the floor signaled he was moving closer. I fought the urge to react, gripping the cool handle of the dagger Alex had slipped into my hand before surrendering.

His last message to me. A way to fight back.

"Do you really think playing dead will help you?" His voice was closer now, mocking. "Your mate is gone. He belongs to me now, just as he always should have."

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. Alex had spent his entire life obeying this monster. But not anymore. Not if I could stop it.

I waited, listening as he stepped even closer.

"You're quite the nuisance, you know that?" His tone was almost conversational, as if he wasn't talking about killing me. "I should have had you eliminated a long time ago. But now? Now, I think I'll enjoy this."

He moved. Now!

I twisted, my eyes snapping open as I drove the dagger toward him. He was fast. Too fast.

He dodged, barely avoiding the blade as he stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.

"You little-"

I lunged again, slashing at him, forcing him to move back further.

"Did you really think I was that stupid?" I hissed, my chest heaving.

His eyes darkened, amusement flickering beneath his fury. "So, you were awake."

"Every damn second." I tightened my grip on the dagger, my hands steady. "And I heard everything."

His expression twisted into something cruel. "Then you should know-Alex is as good as dead."

A sharp pain stabbed through my heart, but I refused to show weakness.

"Not if I get to you first," I shot back.

He smirked. "Brave little thing, aren't you?"

Without warning, he lunged.

I barely dodged, feeling the rush of air as he swiped at me. My back hit the wall, and I barely had time to raise the dagger before he grabbed my wrist, slamming it against the wall.

Pain shot up my arm.

"Let go!" I struggled, trying to kick at him.

He leaned in, his grip tightening. "You're weak."

My fingers trembled, the dagger slipping slightly. No. I wouldn't let him win.

I twisted my wrist sharply, slicing the edge of the dagger across his arm. He snarled, jerking back as blood seeped through his sleeve.

I didn't wait. I ran.

Dagger still in hand, I bolted toward the door. I barely made it a few steps before a force slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. The air was ripped from my lungs as I hit the cold floor, his weight pinning me down.

"You just don't give up, do you?" His breath was hot against my ear.

I gritted my teeth, thrashing beneath him. "Not until you're dead!"

His laugh sent a chill through me. "I'd like to see you try."

I felt his hands close around my throat, squeezing.

Panic surged through me.

No.

I fought against him, clawing at his hands, kicking wildly. I couldn't breathe. Dark spots danced in my vision. I reached for the dagger, fingers fumbling.

Almost…

With the last bit of strength I had, I gripped the handle and drove it straight into his side.

He let out a strangled noise, his grip loosening just enough for me to shove him off. I opened my eyes, my gaze immediately meeting Alex's. His expression changed in an instant, eyes wide with warning. He shook his head slightly, silently telling me not to do it.

But I didn't listen.

I couldn't. This man had taken everything from Alex. From me. From our future.

I wouldn't let him win.

With all the strength I had, I pushed myself forward, gripping the dagger tighter. The sharp tip found its mark, sinking into flesh as I drove it into his side.

The snarl that tore from his throat was animalistic.

Before I could pull away, a brutal force crashed into me.

I gasped as the impact sent me flying backward. My body hit the ground hard, pain exploding through my side. The breath was knocked from my lungs, and for a moment, all I could do was lie there, stunned.

But then something far worse hit me.

A sharp, deep pain shot through my abdomen.

My hands instinctively went to my stomach.

No. No. No.

A cold wave of terror washed over me as I felt the wet warmth seeping between my legs. My vision blurred, but I knew.

Blood.

I was bleeding.

My baby.

A broken cry escaped me as I curled slightly, my entire body screaming in agony. Fear paralyzed me more than the pain. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this.

"Scarlet!"

Alex's voice cut through the haze, and I barely managed to lift my gaze.

He was running toward me, his face twisted with pure terror. But before he could reach me, another figure stepped in his way.

Alex's father.

With blood staining his side where I had stabbed him, he still stood tall, eyes blazing with hatred. He moved faster than I could register, striking out at Alex before he could defend himself.

Alex barely dodged, the force of the attack sending him staggering back. My heart clenched. I needed to help him.

I tried to move, to push myself up, but my body refused to cooperate. My limbs were weak, the pain too intense. My stomach churned violently, and another wave of dizziness hit me.

I felt my consciousness slipping.

No.

I couldn't pass out. Not now.

I forced myself to keep my eyes open, watching as Alex fought. His movements were quick, calculated, but he was still weak. The poison in his system hadn't faded.

And his father knew it.

With a cruel smirk, he struck again, landing a brutal hit that sent Alex crashing against the wall.

"Stay down, boy," his father sneered. "You were always weak."

Alex coughed, struggling to get back up. Blood dripped from his temple, but the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed. "And you were always a monster."

His father's smirk widened. "Monsters always win."

A chill ran down my spine.

No.

I wouldn't let this happen.

With the last ounce of strength I had, I reached for the dagger. My fingers barely wrapped around the handle before my vision swam again.

I was losing too much blood. My baby.

Tears welled in my eyes as my body trembled violently. I wasn't ready to lose this child. I wasn't ready to lose Alex.

But as the darkness swallowed me, I realized I might not have a choice.