Chapter 189

Chapter 189

The shrill fire alarm pierced through the restaurant's romantic atmosphere like a whisper from death itself.

Thick smoke poured from inside the restaurant like a monstrous beast, devouring the air and drastically reducing visibility.

A wave of scorching heat hit their faces.

"Emily, grab onto me!" Michael's voice remained remarkably steady amid the chaotic panic.

He covered Emily's mouth and nose tightly, shielding her entire body in his arms, using himself as a barrier against the dense smoke and the jostling crowd.

Michael quickly sized up the situation—panicked screams came from the main exit, where smoke was growing dangerously thick. He immediately ruled out that option.

He yanked Emily toward the relatively quiet emergency stairwell.

She could clearly feel the warmth and strength of his hand—the only thing giving her any comfort in that moment.

As the acrid smoke with its burnt smell invaded her nostrils, she couldn't help but cough violently. Tears mixed with soot streamed down her cheeks.

All she could see was Michael's tall, determined figure ahead of her.

Instinctively, she curled her body, pressing her abdomen closer against him. The strong heartbeat from his chest sounded like a battle drum for survival.

"This way! Move it!" he shouted, his arms creating a fortress as he pushed through the panicked crowd.

Someone fell to the ground, crying out, while another desperately grabbed at his sleeve for help.

Michael's eyes darkened as he forcefully broke free, all while keeping Emily in his peripheral vision, terrified she might get swept away by the chaos.

Emily stayed secure in his embrace, her heart pounding wildly with fear. The smoke made her eyes water and breathing nearly impossible.

One hand clutched Michael's shirt tightly while the other instinctively protected her stomach. Only one thought ran through her mind: protect the baby and stick with Michael!

Other guests scrambled like headless chickens, screaming and shoving toward any possible exit.

Panic is contagious, and survival instinct strips away all reason.

Just as they approached the evacuation stairwell, a burly man, crazed with fear, slammed into them from the side!

He still clutched a broken wine glass, its shards gleaming dangerously in the dim light.

Emily was caught completely off guard and violently knocked to the floor, her elbows and knees smashing against the hard marble surface.

Sharp pain shot through her entire body, making her gasp.

"Emily!" Michael's pupils contracted as he immediately dropped down to help her.

But in that split second, a deafening crack sounded from above!

A massive decorative beam, engulfed in flames, collapsed from the ceiling with tremendous force, plummeting directly toward Emily as she lay helpless on the floor.

The beam was as thick as a man's arm, wrapped in dancing flames. Burning embers rained down like fiery stars, landing on Emily's dress and instantly burning small holes.

She could even make out the blackened carved patterns on the beam and feel the scorching heat that threatened to sear her skin.

Death's shadow gripped her heart like an icy hand, paralyzing her body so completely she couldn't even scream.

"Look out!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Michael's eyes flashed with resolve. Instead of retreating, he lunged forward.

He covered Emily's entire body with his back!

Simultaneously, he summoned incredible strength, his arm muscles bulging as he thrust upward in a lifting position, trying to absorb the impact of the heavy falling beam!

The massive, burning beam crashed onto Michael's back with a sickening thud!

Sparks flew everywhere, burning through his shirt. The acrid smell of scorched flesh immediately filled the air!

Michael let out a suppressed, agonized groan. Veins bulged on his forehead as cold sweat instantly soaked his body.

The tremendous impact nearly made him black out, with a metallic taste rising in his throat.

But he clenched his teeth and, through superhuman willpower and deep love for Emily and their child, somehow supported the crushing weight that could have pulverized them!

Emily clearly felt the vibration when the beam hit and the violent trembling from Michael's back.

His body temperature skyrocketed, mixed with sweat and the smell of burning, nearly suffocating her with heartache.

She could feel his body gradually sinking, yet still exerting maximum effort to support the beam. The pressure on her back made breathing difficult, but she knew that what pressed on him was the weight of life and death itself.

"Michael!" Emily remained completely protected beneath him, unharmed, but she heard his painful groans and felt the searing heat and enormous pressure he was enduring.

She still couldn't move, her body seemingly drained of all strength.

Her tears burst forth as her heart felt like it was being ripped to shreds!

"Go... get out!" Michael forced the words through clenched teeth, his voice distorted by extreme pain.

With his last ounce of strength, he shoved Emily out from under him, pushing her toward the nearby emergency stairwell!

Almost the moment Emily escaped danger, Michael could no longer hold on. The burning beam crashed down completely.

He used all his remaining strength to lunge away, but flames had already spread everywhere.

If Michael couldn't make it out, if he remained inside... Emily was so desperate she considered going back.

"Michael!"

"Go, forget about me! Save our baby!" Michael shouted with what strength he had left, his eyes filled with desperate resolve.

Emily stumbled forward a few steps, then looked back to see Michael's face deathly pale, still staring at her intently, his eyes filled with urgency and longing.

Each step she took felt like lead, as if her heart was being torn with every movement.

But she knew she couldn't waste his sacrifice—she had to survive for their child.

Just then, hotel security and arriving firefighters finally broke through the chaos and rushed forward.

They rescued Michael, who had already lost consciousness.

Emily, tears streaming down her face, stumbled after the rescue workers, her heart breaking at the sight of the horrific burns on Michael's back and his possible internal injuries.

She clutched his limp hand tightly, calling his name over and over.

Michael was quickly loaded into an ambulance, and Emily, ignoring her own weakness and discomfort, insisted on going with him.