Chapter 387: Just this once

Braelyn’s POV

The sonic sound hit first, the sharp sound was disorienting, like the world had been struck and left vibrating. I pressed my hands over my ears, trying to block it out, but it only got worse inside my head.

For a few seconds, I could not understand anything happening around me. People were shouting, moving, panicking, but it all blurred into one unstable noise.

Lucien was suddenly in my line of sight. He was moving toward me, his mouth opening like he was saying something, but I could not hear a single word.

My brows pulled together as I tried to focus on him, but then I saw Raphael.

He was closer than I realised, his expression tight like he was trying to warn me. His lips moved too, but the sound swallowed everything.

“What the hell are you doing?” I screamed at him. But my words were swallowed by the sound. Then everything shifted too fast before I could react. I felt the impact first, his hands on me, pushing me down.

As I hit the floor, anger flared through me even in the confusion. I did not understand why he would shove me like that in the middle of this chaos.

I lifted my head, ready to yell again, but my words died in my throat. Raphael was on his knees. Blood came out of his mouth.

For a second my brain refused to process it, like it was rejecting the image completely. Then I saw the knife, it was buried in him.

The person behind him was hooded, masked, still frozen as if they had not planned for what just happened. Their posture shifted like hesitation had replaced intent.

It was not supposed to hit him, the person aiming for me. The realisation hit my chest hard.

The sonic sound started fading at that exact moment, like the world finally decided to come back. His face scrunched up then he coughed out a mouthful of blood splattering on my face but I couldn’t care any less

And when it did, everything returned at once. My heart, my breathing, and even fear spiked in me at once. Then his body stumbled forward. “RAPHAEL!!!!” The scream tore through me. My voice didn’t sound human.

My voice tore out of me before I could stop it.

The attacker stepped back like they were about to run, but Lucien reached them first. He crashed into them, taking them down hard.

They were struggling on the ground, their hands grabbing each other as their bodies twisted until Lucien pinned her down. Lucien yanked the mask off.

I saw her face, Amelia. My breath stopped. What was she doing here? Wasn’t she meant to be locked up?! My brain couldn’t register that.

Her eyes were wild, red and filled with something broken and angry. She was screaming, not at Lucien, not at the guards rushing in, but at Raphael.

“Raphael!” she kept shouting, trying to reach him even as Lucien held her down.

Security flooded in next, then Ronan, but everything felt distant before I could barely take my eyes off him.

Raphael was already falling into of my reach. He collapsed fully, and I did not even remember moving until he was in my arms. I didn’t even know when I started to cry but the tears wouldn’t stop. Raphael fell into my arms smiling.

My hands were shaking as I held him.

“Why did you do something so reckless? Don’t dare die on me,” I cried, my voice breaking in a way I could not control. “I hate you. I hate you so much, Raphael, so why are you doing this?”

His lips curved faintly, as if he was trying to smile through it. His hand lifted weakly and touched my cheek. I leaned into his touch. His hand was still warm.

“Please don’t cry for me,” he said, his voice barely holding together. “I am not worth it.” A broken laugh left him like he was trying to make it sound lighter than it was.

“Even when you cry, you are still pretty,” he said softly. “But I don’t want you crying for me.” he forced the smile to widen.

“Stop talking like that,” I snapped through tears. “What are you saying, Raphael? Why would you say that now?” The tears kept on coming. I told myself I would never cry for him again. Why did he have to do this to me?

His eyes stayed on me like I was the only thing he could still see clearly.

“I would not live with myself knowing I could save you,” he said. “I have caused you too much pain, Lynn. If my life can pay for even a part of that, then it is fine.”

My grip tightened on him.

“You are not paying with your life,” I said harshly, like saying it loud enough could force reality to change. “You will survive. Stop talking like this. You have to stay alive how can I keep on hating on you if you die?” I screamed out hysterically.

But he only shook his head slightly. “Maybe it is better this way,” he whispered. “At least I will not live with the pain of not having you.” he chuckled, blood spilt from his mouth. “But can I ask for something?”

” No. ” I didn’t want to hear it. I shook my head vehemently. If I fulfilled whatever he said. He might die. ” Stop talking like you are going to die Raphael. The emergency number has already been called. Help is coming.” I tried to dismiss him

He didn’t argue. Just held my cheeks. My breath broke seeing his expression. “Raphael, please stop.” I whimpered with a broken voice ..His hand stayed on my face rubbing my cheek like he was trying to memorise it

“Please forgive me, Lynn. I am sorry,” he said. “I mean it.” His voice was getting weaker. “Can you smile for me just once?”

“No,” I shook my head immediately. “No, I cannot. Not like this. Raphael, look at me properly.”

My tears poured harder. ” How can you ask me to smile when you are…” The rest of the words stuck in my throat. I gulped then made up my mind. ” I forgive you Raphael but you are not going to die,” I said like I could negotiate with death.

” Please, Lynn. Just this once,” he whispered begging dearly.

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