The Billionaire Who Saved Me

“Ariel. Ariel. I beg you, Ariel.”

Elice shook Ariel’s body. But Ariel didn’t move at all. Completely still.

“Ariel, please.”

Elice let go of Ariel’s hand. Just to touch his face. Just to feel that there was no feeling there.

Ariel’s eyes opened. Unblinking. Unfocused. Those eyes had lost their light. Faded. Gone. Leaving behind a reality that made Elice’s tears flow uncontrollably.

There was no breath. No more pulse. No more heartbeat. All signs of life were gone. Just as the soul had finally left its body.

“Ariel!” Elice sobbed. She embraced Ariel’s lifeless body. Holding it tight. “Ariel, please.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

No matter how hard Elice shook the body in her embrace, she received no response. The rigid body remained motionless. Crushing any hope Elice had clung to.

Ending in a hug full of devastation that made Elice cry even harder. Allowing Ariel’s blood and her tears to mix into one.

“Ariel.”

Elice’s voice was filled with fear. A pain she had never imagined before. For in that moment, Ariel was gone. Truly left her. Just as her baby had left her before.

“This is all because of you, you witch!”

An angry scream exploded into the air. Accompanied by a violent grip of Elice’s hair. Ripping those delicate strands from her bun.

“Ah!”

Elice’s grip on Ariel’s body loosened. Her body jerked back with a pain that instantly surged through her.

“Do you see what you’ve done?”

Elice looked back and found Farrah’s angry face right in front of her. Farrah glared at her sharply. With reddened eyes and intense hatred.

“Are you satisfied after seeing Ariel sacrifice his life for you?”

Farrah raised her hand. In the form of a slap that landed directly on Elice’s cheek.

Elice’s scream of pain echoed through the building. But Farrah didn’t stop there. Seeing with her own eyes how her own son lost his life protecting Elice, her anger became uncontrollable.

“I will never forgive you, Elice,” Farrah growled. Her eyes promised death. “You must pay for everything you’ve done!”

If the intention to kill Elice had been Farrah’s absolute desire from the beginning, that desire intensified when she found her son giving his life for Elice. Farrah pulled at Elice’s hair even harder. Undeterred by Elice’s pleas.

Farrah grinned. “You must die, Elice. To pay for Ariel’s life. To pay for everything you’ve done all this time.”

The gun was raised. Aimed at Elice’s head.

Elice closed her eyes. Tears flowing endlessly. Her hope fading further. This time there might be no one left to save her.

Resigned, Elice found herself pushed to the brink of despair. There was no hope left. None. All that remained was a heart willing to face all these harsh realities. But…

The sound of sirens and commotion echoed loudly. Followed by screams that immediately caused Farrah to release her grip on Elice’s hair. Instead of continuing her intention to kill Elice, Farrah looked at Ariel’s body. Which was no longer moving. It lay still with its eyes open and its lips curled in a smile.

Farrah clenched her fists. She breathed heavily with uncontrollable rage.

“Ariel!!!”

Farrah knew for sure. This had to be Ariel’s doing. And because of the actions of her own son, all her plans had failed.

“Teddy!”

Teddy nodded. He moved immediately. He wanted to assess the situation outside, but was unprepared for a sudden blow to his chest!

*

As the old Lostic factory loomed in front of him, Garrett felt the pressure crushing his chest increase. Trying to be patient and calm was no longer an option for Garrett. He panicked and nearly lost his mind.

Garrett hadn’t come alone. With him was Abert, who promptly followed Garrett’s orders. There were at least six other black cars with Abert’s associates. Behind them, police cars joined the convoy.

Their arrival had obviously not been anticipated by Farrah’s men. Even though they were outnumbered, the presence of the police officers rendered them powerless.

Police sirens continued to wail in the air. The cars stopped. The police officers and Garrett’s men moved quickly.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Farrah’s men could do nothing. When the cops pointed their guns and gave orders, they had no choice but to raise their hands and surrender.

Ignoring this, Garrett looked at an old building. A scream became a signal of fear for Garrett. He moved immediately. But Abert quickly stopped him.

Abert signaled to his companion. Making sure Garrett stayed protected while Abert moved quickly. He made his way to the door of the building, hearing faint noises from inside.

At the right moment, when the door opened, Abert charged in. His powerful kick landed directly. It hit the figure that was none other than Teddy.

A thud sounded as Teddy’s body hit the ground. Abert stepped in. Directly attacking Teddy who quickly stood up.

Teddy dodged as Abert launched another kick. He kept a safe distance, then quickly retaliated against Abert.

Teddy’s punches landed alternately. Abert parried with one hand. He dodged, but quickly Teddy’s leg rose.

Abert closed his mouth tightly. His leg took three steps back. Teddy attacked again. But this time Abert was faster. As Teddy’s right fist flew toward Abert’s head, he caught it.

Abert pressed on. He stepped under Teddy’s arm with his right leg forward, taking a stance. Holding Teddy’s arm and turning 180 degrees. Making sure Teddy’s body stayed still behind him, he quickly pulled Teddy’s arm over his head. Abert bent down and slammed Teddy’s body forward.

After successfully hitting Teddy, Abert wanted to twist his arm. But the man remained calm and in control. Swiftly, he lifted both legs while his hand twisted to grab Abert’s hand in return.

Teddy’s legs were aimed at Abert’s neck. He grabbed and struck Abert. Using the time to get up and swing his leg towards Abert’s face.

Abert fell backwards. But when Teddy tried to kick Abert again, he caught Teddy’s leg. Stepping forward, he pushed Teddy’s body.

Falling backwards, Teddy was surprised when Abert immediately threw a punch. Right on his nose. A faint, horrible sound was heard as Teddy’s nose cracked.

Teddy growled in anger. Lifting his leg, Teddy’s knee slammed into Abert’s back. But Abert remained motionless.

Clutching his fists tightly, Abert punched Teddy’s chin. Over and over again until Teddy couldn’t move. His face was smashed and covered in blood. When Abert stopped attacking him, Teddy collapsed instantly.

Abert released Teddy. He stood up and immediately surveyed the area. There were no more enemies. There were only Farrah and Elice.

Garrett and the police entered. The officers sprang into action. They secured Teddy and Farrah. The gun in the woman’s hand became meaningless as the police approached her.

“Elice.”

Garrett rushed to his wife. Elice rushed into Garrett’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Garrett,” Elice sobbed, her body shaking.

Garrett hugged Elice tightly. He had to calm the panic that had consumed him since earlier.

Elice was fine. She wasn’t hurt. She wasn’t missing anything.

Garrett released their embrace. Repeatedly he made sure that there was not a scratch on Elice.

“I’m fine.”

Garrett couldn’t stop feeling grateful in his heart. For moments that felt so long, he almost thought he would be too late.

“Let me go!”

Farrah’s scream caught Garrett and Elice’s attention. The middle-aged woman struggled as the officers attempted to restrain her.

“How dare you arrest me! Do you know who I am?!”

Handcuffs were produced. Unable to escape, Farrah found them trapping both of her wrists. Just like what had happened to Teddy.

“I’m innocent! Let me go!”

But Farrah’s anger meant nothing. As the police forced her to leave, Farrah raged.

“You!” Farrah shouted at Elice and Garrett. “This is all because of you!”

Farrah continued to resist. Spewing curses.

“It’s all your fault, Elice! You slut! You ruined everything! You made me lose everything!”

The police urged Farrah. They tried to take her away. But for the remaining moments, Farrah didn’t want to waste them.

“I will never forgive you!”

Elice knew that she would never be forgiven. For one thing, Elice felt that what Farrah had said was true.

“Garrett.”

Elice grabbed the man’s shirt. She bit her lower lip with a devastated look.

“Ariel.”

When that name escaped Elice’s lips, Garrett was reminded of Ariel. He followed Elice’s gaze. The place where two policemen examined his condition.

Garrett was stunned. He stared at the still figure. Grief and fear quickly surfaced and squeezed his heart.

“Ariel.”

Elice’s cries grew louder. Drowning in Garrett’s embrace, she let her tears flow freely.

Garrett shook his head. He could not believe what his eyes were seeing. But when the medics arrived and brought a stretcher, there was no denying the reality.

A white sheet covered Ariel’s body. Carrying him away. And at that moment, not only Elice was shattered by her grief. But also Garrett. For he clearly remembered Ariel’s last words to him.

“Send your people at once, Garrett. I’m afraid Mama is out of control this time. You must come as soon as possible. You have to protect Elice.”

And so did Elice. Who saw with her own eyes how Ariel protected her until her last breath.

“P-please don’t cry.”

But no. Elice couldn’t.

*