Page 64 of Forced Innocent Bratva Bride

“No!” I sprinted, feeling the rush of adrenaline pumping through my blood. Within seconds, I grabbed the knife and jolted across the living room to where he was.

The rope strangling him was higher than I could reach, so I hopped on the coffee table, struggling to cut the rope. The damn thing was either too strong, or the knife was too blunt. Either way, I was taking too much time, and Bryce was dying.

My hand moved faster than it had ever moved as I struggled to cut through the rope. I could hear him choking,wheezing, his legs flailing in the air as the rope snuffed the very life out of him.

“C'mon, c'mon, c'mon….” The words burst out of me in a frantic rush, my hands trembling but unrelenting against the rope.

Soon, I was victorious, finally cutting through it. Bryce's body thudded to the floor as he gagged and coughed, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.

“It's okay, it's okay,” I reassured, my voice smooth and tender.

He jerked his eyes, watching me with wide, tear-filled eyes. I lowered myself and embraced him, placing his head on my chest.

“It's okay…. You're okay,” I said, smoothing down his hair.

Bryce lay in my warm embrace for a moment before raising his head, a smile spreading across his face. “You couldn't let me die.”

“No.” I shook my head, holding his gaze. “I couldn't, and I won't.”

His smile broadened, eyes crinkling at the corners. “This only proves that you still love me…. Lori, get back together.” Bryce grabbed my hands tightly, and his sudden move caused me to flinch.

“Get back together?” I asked, brows furrowing with concern at the determination that colored his eyes.

“Yes,” he said, squeezing against my fingers. “Clearly, you still love me as much as I love you. Why else would you risk everything and come around…alone?”

Now, I was starting to worry; his tone had just turned sinister, and the firmness of his grip was causing me pain. I swallowed hard, afraid that I might have gotten myself into deep trouble.

I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. “You're hurting me, Bryce,” I complained.

He ignored me and leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with scary excitement. “Run away with me. We can start a new life together.”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks, hating that I'd have to turn him down. “I'm married, Bryce,” I said, looking into his eyes. “And I'm carrying a baby inside me…hisbaby.”

His expression darkened slowly. His jaw clenched, and a scowl settled on his face. “Well, that's a shame,” he said, his tone deep and menacing as he let go of my hands and rose to his feet.

I flicked my wrists, rubbing them in a soothing motion, while my eyes watched him, wondering what he was up to.

Bryce's scowl deepened, and he glared at me, withdrawing lighter from his pocket. It was only now that I smelt the gasoline on the floor, and my heart sank into my stomach, my eyes widening at the realization of his plan.

“Bryce…” I whispered, my chest heaving slowly as I watched him flick on the flame.

His lips curled into an evil smirk. “If I can't have you, then no one else will.”

“Bryce, no!” I exclaimed, my heart leaping into my throat.

But I was too late. He dropped the lighter, and the gasoline on the floor went up in flames. I ran to the door, but it was jammed, sealing me inside with this maniac.

The fire was growing, consuming everything in its path, while Bryce stood there, laughing, watching me struggle with the door handle.

If the fire didn't kill me first, the smoke would.

The curtains went ablaze, filling the room with the choking smell of smoke and burned fabric. I buried my nose inmy elbow, running around the living room as I sought ways to escape, but there were none.

I could feel the excessive heat, and soon, I was sweating profusely, choking and coughing as I dropped to the floor, weak.

“You're trapped in here with me, Lorena. We'll die together…. This is destiny!” Bryce spread out his arms, laughing like a psychopath.

But that wasn't my problem right now. I couldn't die like this—no.

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