hapter 176 Turning Back
Moldred figured extra hands could only help the rescue mission, so he didn’t stop them. Sidonie flew the second helicopter, with Trent and the rescuer beside her, heading for the island.
Marley turned to Julius. “Come on, let’s head back downstairs. Sidonic will bring them back soon.”
Then Julius would finally see for himself that Quinn was all talk.
But Julius didn’t budge. His eyes stayed fixed on the sky, watching the direction Quinn’s helicopter had gone, like he was trying to see straight through the clouds.
What is it about Quinn that made Julius care so much?
“Julius, stop staring!” Marley reached for his hand, then stopped cold, staring at his strong right hand in hers.
That hand had always been striking, even beautiful, but for her, it had once been the stuff of nightmares.
Those fingers had nearly taken out her eye. They’d felt like blades back then. It was as if nothing could make that hand tremble.
It took her years of therapy to get over the fear of those hands.
But right now, his hand was trembling.
Julius quickly pulled it away.
“Julius, what’s going on? Are you sick or something? Your hand is shaking,” Marley asked.
Julius pressed his lips into a tight line and looked down at his hand, still trembling. “Yeah, it’s shaking,” he murmured.
Because he was scared. Scared she’d be in danger and he couldn’t do a thing to help.
The fear had wrapped itself around him, tight.
“Turns out I love her that much,” he whispered into the open air.
Moldred, standing nearby, overheard it and was stunned. He’d always had a hunch about Julius and Quinn, but hearing it spoken aloud was something else.
Did he just admit to loving Quinn? Then Marley…
Moldred glanced over at her. She was clenching her teeth so hard her jaw twitched, her face twisted with jealousy.
He gave a quiet sigh and led her a few steps away. “Let it go. You can’t force something that just isn’t meant
to be.”
Marley didn’t answer, but the hatred burning in her eyes only deepened.
Why? I’ve sacrificed an eye, so why can’t I get what I want? Quinn has given up nothing, and yet she got Julius.
Marley couldn’t stand it. She wouldn’t allow it.
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Chapter 176 Turning Back
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Two helicopters flew in close succession toward the crash site on the island. The closer they got, the worse the wind became. It was wild, erratic, and strong. One wrong move and a helicopter could go straight into the ocean.
Sidonie’s hands gripped the controls tightly. Her palms were soaked with sweat. She’d logged plenty of flight hours, even if most of them were spent as co–pilot while the pilot made the final calls. She had always believed that when the day came, she’d handle the pressure just fine.
She’d never thought those other pilots were better than her.
But now, facing violent crosswinds and chaotic air currents, her confidence started to slip. One wrong judgment on the wind shear and they could all end up in the sea.
I just wanted to beat Quinn to the punch and outshine her, not risk my life!
“Ms. Stonehurst, why aren’t we moving forward?” the rescuer asked from the back.
Sidonie forced a smile. “It’s too dangerous. We can’t push through right now.”
Dangerous?
The rescuer looked ahead. The other helicopter was still flying forward, steady and smooth, cutting through the gusts. “But the one ahead-”
“That’s their aircraft. This is mine,” Sidonie snapped. “Maybe they’re just lucky.” She gave him a sharp look. “Are you doubting my call?”
The rescuer fell silent.
Trent tried to calm the mood. “Sidonie, don’t worry. I believe in you. You’ve got this.”
But Sidonie didn’t believe in herself at that moment. Her mouth was drawn in a tight line.
Will it be okay if I keep going forward? What if… we crash?
Her fingers froze on the cyclic, and then, without warning, she swung the helicopter around and started heading back.
The sudden turn made Trent and the rescuer jolt in their seats.
“Ms. Stonehurst, aren’t we going the wrong way?”
“Sidonie, where are we headed?” Trent asked, confused.
“Quinn’s already there,” she said flatly. “Let her rescue those people. She volunteered to go, anyway. No reason for us to risk our lives.”
Trent sat frozen. He hadn’t expected that from her.
This was the same woman who once saved him from a freezing river, who charged into burning forests on the border without a second thought.
She was supposed to be the type to run into danger, not turn away from it.
For a moment, he felt like something was terribly wrong.
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Chapter 176 Turning Back
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“You risked everything to save me before,” he said quietly, “and you ran into that fire without blinking. Why won’t you take the risk now?”
