Lost Me Gained Regret

My head buzzed, a loud, ringing echo that seemed to fill the world as I watched Mark collapse right in front of me.

Blood spilled from his mouth, yet he managed to flash me a grin, bloodied but unbowed.

Gregory, tripped by Josiah a moment before, was a step too late.

He saw Mark take the bullet meant for me, froze for a split second, then hurried over, covering my eyes with his hand. "Jane, don't look..."

Instinctively, I shook my head, dazedly running over, "Mark..."

All the good things Mark had ever done for me rushed back in an instant.

Tears streamed down my face as I reached out, trying to stop the blood pouring from the gunshot wound, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Lucius, alongside Mr. Rock, managed to apprehend Garry, rushing over to take control of Josiah and Pearl.

With Gregory's assistance, Mr. Rock dealt with Josiah and Pearl.

Lucius thanked them and saw them off.

Christine came over, taking my hand, "Jane..."

Mark's face gradually turned paler, but he weakly smiled at me, "I'm okay, Jane... don't be afraid, I'm really okay." Back on the ship, I regretted ever trusting him, but seeing him hurt because of me stirred something deep within. "Mark..."

I wiped away tears, "How can you be okay!"

Gregory had already sent Lucius to contact the hospital, just waiting for the medical team to arrive.

Mark managed a smile, his gaze on me filled with deep affection and tenderness.

"I was wrong, Jane, you were right. I said I loved you, but I kept hurting you..."

"Taking this bullet for you was my choice, the one thing I've done that didn't hurt you."

"Jane..."

He slowly raised his hand, wiping away my tears, "Don't cry, not anymore, do you hear me... even if I die, this life, I owe it to you. The real Mark died many, many years ago, it was you who gave me these extra years."

"You won't die..."

"Listen to me..."

Blood trickled from his mouth, his strength fading, his gaze drifting to my still-flat belly, "I know, the loss of our first child hurt you deeply, so... it can't be you this time."

"Jane... let this make up for my wrongs, okay?"

"Mark!"

Tears

my throat choked up, all I could

C Seaded down my cheeks,

I

d forcefully, "Okay... oka

swno

Mark smiled contentedly, and in the next second the hand resting on me

lost

HS strength, slipping awaye??

unexpectedly.

His hand fell, palm open, revealing a bracelet.

The doctor arrived at that moment, and soon after, declared him gone.

My head buzzed, my body swayed sharply.

Gregory steadied me, "Jane, he... would want you to be okay."

"Yeah..."

I mustered all the strength I had to hold back the tears, nodding, "Let's... bury him here."

"As you wish."

Gregory instructed Lucius to make arrangements.

He led me back to the ship first.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

Entering the room, I clung to him, refusing to let go.

He lifted me, lying down on the bed with me.

"I'm so tired."

It felt like I had slept last night, yet also as if I hadn't.

"Then sleep."

el

I closed my eyes, suddenly remembering something, "My mom and grandma are okay, right? remember hearing an explosion."

Gregory's gaze flickered, but I couldn't see it, resting against his chest.

"Sleep first."

I thought it must be nothing; if there was something wrong, Gregory wouldn't hide it from me.

With Gregory by my side, I felt incredibly secure, drifting off to sleep quickly.

I wondered if it was the ordeal I had just been through.

Or because I had watched Mark die right before my eyes.