Chapter 68 Jeffrey, I’m Coming To Join You
“Don’t!”
Rachel’s mind went blank. Panic swallowed every thought.
Driven purely by instinct, she lunged after Jeffrey without hesitation.
She barely managed to grasp his wrist in time.
Rachel grasped the railing with one hand, her other hand clenched desperately around Jeffrey’s. Her voice was raw, thick with anguish, as she cried out, “Jeffrey, hold on! I won’t let you fall! I swear, I’ll pull you up!”
“No!” Jeffrey shook his head, tears streaking down his face. “Just let go! I’ve done nothing but drag you down. Everything–everything is my fault. You’d be better off
without me.”
Rachel grasped the railing with one hand, “No! Don’t you get it? Without you, I’ll never be happy again. Ever! Jeffrey, please don’t do this. Don’t leave me. Just stay with me!
The wind howled around them, biting into her exposed skin like a thousand tiny knives. But the real agony was inside her, a wound ripped wide open.
Rachel met Jeffrey’s eyes, and her chest tightened. It wasn’t just the hopelessness in them that shattered her. It was the terrifying realization that her grip was slipping.
“Rachel, let go!” Jeffrey’s gaze locked onto hers, as if he could already see the strength draining from her.
“No.” Rachel shook her head fiercely. “I won’t let go! Never!
If you die, then I won’t live, either! No matter where you go, I’ll follow. I should have
my protected you… This is all fault.
Jeffrey’s vision blurred as fresh tears spilled down his face.
Jumping had been an impulse. A split–second decision.
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But now, seeing his sister willing to throw her life away for him, he regretted it with everything in him.
She was good. Too good. She deserved to live–to feel happiness.
“I’m sorry.”
It was all he could say. All he could offer.
Rachel’s strength was nearly gone. Her arms burned, her fingers numb, her entire body trembling from exhaustion.
Her grip on the railing slipped–from five fingers to four. Then three.
Soon, there would be nothing left to hold on to.
Her eyes fluttered shut as the last of her strength drained away. Maybe… maybe death
wasn’t so bad. At least Jeffrey wouldn’t be alone.
At least they’d be with their mother again.
“Jeffrey, I’m coming to join you!”
A faint, peaceful smile curved her lips.
Then, she decided to let go.
“No!”
“Rachel!” Trey and Samira screamed at the same time.
“Don’t you dare let go, Rachel! You’re not allowed to die without my permission!” With a strangled shout, Brian bolted toward her.
Rachel knew that voice. It sounded like Brian. But… wasn’t he supposed to be with Doris, tending to her injuries? How could he possibly be here? Was she hearing things? But it felt real. Too real.
“Rachel, give me your hand.”
His voice was steady, commanding–unshakable. Brian seized her hand, gripping it tightly, refusing to let go.
Only when her fingers were securely locked in his grasp did he feel his heart start beating again.
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Chapter 68 Jeffrey, I’m Coming To Join You
When he had seen Rachel and Jeffrey plummet, his world had nearly shattered.
He had bolted over. Thankfully, he had been fast enough. At the very last moment, he had caught her. If he hadn’t… he didn’t even want to imagine it.
Rachel blinked up at him, stunned.
But inside, she felt… nothing. Not relief. Not hope. Just emptiness.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. Let go. I don’t want to drag you down.”
Even if Brian had caught her, what did it change? She no longer had the strength to hold on to Jeffrey.
Brian knew exactly what she was thinking–what she cared about most. So he didn’t waste a second. “Rachel, listen to me. Jeffrey will be fine. I swear to you, he’s going to
live.”
But to Rachel, his words were almost laughable.
He was trying to fool her again. She couldn’t bring herself to trust him anymore.
“Why should I believe you?”
“I know you hate me right now, but I swear–if Jeffrey doesn’t make it, I’ll give my life in exchange for his.”
Brian’s voice was unwavering, every syllable drenched in raw conviction.
His
eyes
burned with an intensity so fierce, it left no room for doubt.
Rachel hesitated, and Brian seized the moment. “Hold onto me. Don’t let go.”
This time, her hand didn’t resist.
“Now listen to me. Use every last ounce of strength you have. I’ll pull you and Jeffrey
up.”
“Alright.”
Terror coiled in her chest, but she had no choice–this time, she had to trust him.
Because as long as there was even the faintest chance, she had to fight for Jeffrey’s life.
“Are you ready?”
“I’m ready,” Rachel said with a small nod.
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Chapter 68 Jeffrey, I’m Coming To Join You
“Good.” Brian nodded back.
Nearby, Ronald could no longer stay silent. He shifted anxiously, worry etched across his face. “If you do this, you’ll—”
Brian snapped his head toward him, eyes sharp as a blade. One look was all it took to shut him up.
Ronald had no choice but to clamp his mouth shut.
“I’m pulling you up now. Follow my lead. One, two, three.”
As the last number left his lips, Brian threw every ounce of strength into the pull.
Rachel clung to Jeffrey with everything she had.
They were so close–just inches from safety. Then, suddenly, Rachel’s fingers gave out, completely drained of strength.
In the next instant, all she could do was watch as Jeffrey slipped through her grasp.
Her eyes widened in sheer horror, her breath caught in her throat. Not even a scream escaped her lips.
Tears spilled down her face, empty and meaningless.
The last shred of will she had left shattered, and she thrashed against Brian’s grip.
“Rachel, trust me. Jeffrey will be fine. I swear, I’ll bring him back alive.”
Brian’s voice was firm, steady–desperate to anchor her–but he never stopped pulling
her up.
But Rachel no longer cared.
She whipped her head toward him, her eyes burning with fury.
Her voice cracked as she screamed, “I trusted you too much! Let go! Don’t force me!”
Her glare seared into him, her hatred palpable.
But even then, Brian’s grip never loosened.
Rachel’s gaze hardened.
Lowering her head, she sank her teeth into his hand hard.
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A sharp jolt of pain tore through Brian’s hand, and his jaw clenched.
He knew exactly what she was trying to do–she wanted to make him let go.
But no matter what, he wouldn’t.
“Rachel, I won’t let go.”
Ignoring the searing pain in his hand, he tightened his grip and pulled with all his strength.
But she wasn’t done fighting. She lowered her head once more and sank her teeth in
even harder.
This time, she used every last bit of strength she had left.
Her teeth dug deep, cutting through flesh. When she finally released him, bright red blood dripped from his wrist.
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