The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 49

Chapter

16

I had never felt such an urgent need to see Theodore. The moment I saw him, I rushed over and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me, gently stroking my head as he asked, "What's wrong?"

I held back my sobs and asked, "Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't. It's all in the past now."

"Why didn't you come find me back then?"

"I'm sorry."

I couldn't hold back anymore, and tears streamed down my face, soaking the front of his shirt.

That evening, I told Theodore about Ophelia. I thought he'd oppose getting involved, but he only said he'd help me. A week later, news broke in the media about lan's history of domestic violence. But when Ophelia was supposed to come forward to testify, she was nowhere to be found, as if she'd vanished from the world.

Theodore contacted the police, and after reviewing surveillance footage, we discovered that lan had taken Ophelia away.

Following the clues, the police located lan's hideout. However, he was holding a knife to Ophelia's neck, making it impossible for the officers to act without endangering her.

"I want to try," I said.

"No way!" Theodore protested.

"It'll be okay. I know how to protect myself."

Only after my repeated assurances did Theodore nod reluctantly.

I inched closer, negotiating with lan as I moved, stopping when I was about three meters away. Ophelia was unconscious, tied to a chair. Ian was in a highly agitated state, frequently waving the knife around. On his second swing, I threw a stone I'd hidden up my sleeve. The stone struck his hand, making him cry out in pain and drop the knife. I rushed forward, seized the knife, and pointed it at lan, shouting, "Get her out of here!"

The police quickly approached, and as I turned to check how close they were, I heard someone shout, "Watch out!"

I was knocked to the ground, and when I looked up, Stephen was standing in front of me, a knife plunged through his chest.