The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 203- she won’t die

The thought of her being pregnant, and of an injured Manfred with no one to rely on nearby, made Charles’ heart pound so violently it felt like it might burst from his chest. A metallic, coppery taste filled his mouth, and his mind teetered on the brink of insanity.

"Don’t be reckless, Charles!" Brian shouted, catching him just as he tried to leap from the helicopter. Black Hawk had already made their move. There would be no parachutes—they had anticipated everything, except the courage of a few desperate men.

"I can’t take it! I need to see her—just once more, even if it kills me!" Charles roared at the figure ahead. The helicopter lurched violently again, and his heart sank. How could they have ignored the most crucial step? They thought escaping would mean safety, but he had selflessly chosen to stay with his brothers, leaving her in danger...

Hot tears streamed down his face again. Even Shaun froze, stunned by Charles’ raw display of emotion. At the thought of death, the first thing on Charles’ mind was Angela—so far away across the Pacific. He missed her laugh, her charm, every part of her.

Angela... was he about to say goodbye forever?

"Charles, what’s our move now?" Brian’s voice cut through the chaos, calm and analytical. There was no time to worry about the lead helicopter—they could only hope for a miracle.

"There’s an uninhabited island less than five thousand meters ahead. I’ll lower the plane, and we jump into the sea—swim the rest of the way!" Steven’s palms were slick with sweat. Four lives rested in his hands; focus had to be absolute.

"Do it!" Brian replied sharply, grabbing one of the men with a steady hand. Charles, on the verge of collapse, and Shaun, pale and tense, felt some of their panic subside under Brian’s authority.

"You wanted to see her one last time, right? If we die now, how could that happen?" Brian gritted his teeth, turning to Charles. He pressed hard on his arm. "Charles... Manfred isn’t helpless. Right now, you survive first. Live to see her. Die only to meet her eyes one last time!"

"No... she won’t die!" Charles shouted, anger and desperation tearing through him. They had survived worse, had glimpsed the light. He could not, would not, give up now.

"Everyone, stay focused!" Brian shouted, bracing himself as Steven gave the signal. The cabin door was kicked open, and a rush of icy wind slammed in. Below stretched the endless ocean. Even with their special training, certainty was impossible.

"Jump! No time left!" Steven commanded, thrusting the throttle to its limit. As he opened the cockpit door, Brian nodded. He grabbed Shaun and Charles, leaping into the churning sea. Steven followed immediately, the helicopter exploding in a fiery plume moments later.

They reacted instinctively, diving underwater as the distant flames reflected across the waves. Charles’ eyes burned with determination, more intense than ever.

"Manfred... what is it?" Janice leaned forward, bumping against his broad chest. Even she could feel the turbulence in the air.

"Sit tight. I’ll check it out." Manfred rested briefly, his body still strong. He placed Janice securely in her seat and strode into the cabin.

The truth that awaited them was worse than expected: there were no parachutes. Both helicopters had been tampered with by Black Hawk—a deliberate attempt at total destruction. Charles and the others felt no pity for him; this was the end. No debts, no loose ends.

And the shadow that had lurked in darkness would disappear completely from their lives.

"Not a single parachute?" Manfred’s voice trembled as he questioned the two Italian men. When they shook their heads, panic surged in his eyes. Without them, death was certain.

Hearing this, Janice rushed over, her face pale as a sheet. Her hand instinctively pressed against her abdomen. She could survive—but what about the baby? Another life... a fragile life at stake!

And Charles... she hadn’t seen him yet. He had promised they’d meet once they got home. This time, she couldn’t let him down—not again.

"Janice, listen to me. You have to stay alive. You have a child—protect him, understand?" Manfred’s voice was steady, his hands gripping her shoulders. He looked into her tear-filled, reddened eyes, and before she could react, he pressed a quick, urgent kiss to her cheek. At that same instant, he activated the satellite navigation system.

He was taking a gamble—placing hope on a result that had no guarantee.

The satellite distress signal blared to life. If any nearby aircraft picked up their SOS, help would arrive. If not... there was only death ahead.

But luck favored them. Less than a minute later, a distant roar grew steadily louder. No time for explanation. Manfred sprinted to the rear of the cabin, securing a strong harness, then returned to Janice. He strapped it around her waist, watching the approaching helicopter. With a deep breath, he released her into the air, letting the wind scream past, masking her terrified cries.

"No, Manfred! I can’t... I’m scared..." Janice clung to him desperately. At this moment, he was her only anchor; she couldn’t, wouldn’t, let go.

"Janice, listen! You’ll be fine! Look—someone’s coming to rescue us! Let go, I’ll push you out, and they’ll catch you!" Manfred’s hands shook as he spoke. The risk was monumental: if the helicopters collided, it could explode. No one dared take that chance, which meant he had to send her first. Once she was safe... then he would face his fate.

"And what about you? We jump together..." Janice pleaded, wanting to share the risk. Jumping into the sea might not mean death. If she weren’t pregnant, perhaps he could’ve tried. But he couldn’t put her life in danger.

"Remember—Charles is waiting for you. Live for him!" Manfred’s final words struck her like a lifeline. They echoed the memory of Cornelia’s dying command in the fire: no matter how hard life is, survive... survive for those who matter.

Then, she felt herself lifted, weightless like a butterfly on gentle wings. A force carried her outward, then drew her back. A deafening roar filled her ears, and the world went black.

Janice floated in the harness, heart pounding as the rescue helicopter closed in. The wind tore at her hair, whipping across her face, but the sound of rotors above gave her hope. Manfred’s voice echoed one last time in her mind: "Remember—Charles is waiting for you."

She gritted her teeth, letting go, and the harness caught her securely. Hands reached out from the approaching craft, pulling her inside. Relief crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her body trembled, tears streaming freely, but she was alive. Somewhere ahead, Charles was waiting—and she promised herself she would survive, no matter what.