Betrayed by Four: Reborn, Their Rival Mafia Lord Became My Husband - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

The abandoned chemical factory reeked of harsh chemical fumes. I was bound to a rusted iron chair, my wrists already raw and bleeding from the restraints.
Staring at the deranged Rachel before me, my voice remained unnaturally calm. "You won't escape this."
"Shut up!" Rachel raised her hand, her nails leaving three bloody scratches across my face.
"When Asher gets here, I'll make sure you both die together!"
Behind her, five burly men were setting up explosives. One of them asked uneasily, "Miss Rachel, didn't we agree this was just a kidnapping?"
Rachel pulled out a stack of bills from her bag and threw them on the ground. "Now it's either your life or you take the money and keep your mouth shut?"
My pupils contracted sharply—the C4 explosives at Rachel's feet were enough to level the entire factory.
The roar of an engine grew closer. A black SUV crashed through the iron gate and burst inside.
The moment the car door was kicked open, gunshots rang out.
Asher dodged sideways to avoid the bullets, then fired back with a precise shot to the gunman's kneecap. Blood stains were still fresh on his face—he'd clearly fought his way here.
"Asher!" Rachel screamed as she grabbed me, pressing a dagger to my throat. "Move one more inch and I'll carve up her face!"
Asher immediately dropped his gun.
I struggled violently. "Are you insane? Get out of here! She has explo—"
Rachel clamped her hand over my mouth hard, the dagger drawing a thin line of blood across my cheek.
"Such touching devotion, Mr. Asher." She kicked the detonator at her feet. "Kneel and beg me, and I'll let her go."
Asher's eyes turned murderous, but he actually dropped to one knee.
"Not enough," Rachel laughed maniacally. "I want you to kowtow!"
Tears burst from my eyes. I shook my head desperately, whimpering sounds escaping my throat.
Asher slowly bent forward.
Just as his forehead was about to touch the ground, a gunshot exploded through the air!
Rachel's knife-wielding wrist burst into a flower of blood. Asher shot up instantly, rushed forward in a few strides, and pulled me into his arms.
"Look out!" I suddenly screamed.
The moment Asher turned, a long blade thrust from behind him, piercing deep into his chest!
Hot, sticky blood splattered across my face.
I watched Asher stagger but still shield me with his body, firing three consecutive shots that killed the attacker.
"Asher!" I collapsed, catching his falling body. "Why did you have to come!"
Asher leaned against the wall, blood frothing at the corners of his mouth.
His trembling hand touched my face as he smiled weakly. "Because... you're my fiancée. I had to save you."
Police sirens wailed in the distance. Rachel screamed as she lunged for the detonator. Asher raised his gun with his last ounce of strength.
"Bang!"
The bullet hit Rachel's shoulder precisely. She screamed and crashed to the ground.
Asher's hand fell limply to his side.
In the hospital corridor, I sat like a statue outside the ICU, still wearing my blood-stained clothes, my hands shaking uncontrollably.
"Will he die?" I suddenly asked.
Leon sat beside me, his eyes red as he shook his head. "Trust Mr. Asher. And you're still here..."
I looked down at the dried blood on my palms.
When I died in my previous life, was he this panicked, this desperate too...?
On the seventh morning, the monitor suddenly began beeping urgently.
I jolted awake from my doze to see Asher's fingers moving.
"Doc—" My voice was so hoarse I couldn't make a sound. I could only frantically press the call button.
Asher slowly opened his eyes. His gaze wandered for a moment before finally focusing on my haggard face.
My tears fell onto the back of his hand.
He struggled to lift his hand, his fingertip brushing my bloodshot eyes. "You look terrible..."
I laughed through my tears as I caught his hand and pressed it to my face. "You're the one who looks terrible! Getting stabbed in the chest and still trying to act cool!"
Asher's breathing mask fogged with white vapor. He moved his fingers slightly.
I leaned closer and heard him ask in a thread-like voice, "If... in this life I still lose to them... would you regret choosing me?"
I shook my head, my tears soaking the white pillowcase. "In my past life, you collected my body. In this life, I'll only live for you."
The curves on the cardiac monitor suddenly fluctuated wildly.
The doctor rushed in frantically, only to freeze at the scene before him.
The always composed president of Hollis Group, the young mafia boss who dominated the underground world, was gripping a girl's hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.
A month later, Asher stood by the hospital room window, removing his bandages.
I hugged him from behind, my cheek pressed against the scar on his back. "The doctor said you can be discharged today."
"Mm."
"Derek was sentenced to fifteen years for attempted murder."
"Mm."
"Rachel had a mental breakdown and was sent to a psychiatric hospital."
"Mm."
I pinched his waist in annoyance. "All you can say is one word?"
Asher suddenly turned around, pinning me against the floor-to-ceiling window.
Sunlight filtered through his broad shoulders, casting dappled shadows across my body.
"Sienna," he leaned down to kiss me, "take me home."