Chapter 181 Save My Daughter
“Hey, Renee,” Denton greeted her with a bright smile,
Renee looked at him, confused. “You…”
Before she could finish, a deafening explosion ripped through the air.
Everyone froze, the sound still ringing in their ears.
The whole cruise shuddered. In a flash, William sprinted over, pulling
Renee into his arms.
“What happened?” Marvin asked, his voice shaky with fear.
“An explosion!” Denton shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
Just as he spoke, another deafening “bang” echoed, followed by the screams of terrified passengers.
The shockwaves sent Renee stumbling, her body rocking with the force. She frowned, now alert, her instincts kicking in.
Around them, people scattered in every direction–some rushed to the deck, others bolted inside the cabin. The cruise was quickly descending
into chaos.
“We need to check it out,” Renee said, looking up at William.
William’s brow furrowed, his disapproval clear.
The explosion had gone off not far from them, leaving the situation inside
uncertain.
“Find a safe place to stay. I’ll check it out,” William said, his voice steady.
10.14
Renee grabbed his arm, shaking her head. “No. I’m going with you.”
“This could be dangerous,” he said softly. “And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Her voice was firm. “William, I’m not the same person I was. I don’t need you to protect me.”
William locked eyes with her, concern etched across his face. After a long pause, he finally took her hand.
“Denton, stay out here and cover us. We’re heading in.”
Amid the chaos, Renee and William moved against the current of panicked people, hand in hand. Shouts and screams echoed around them as everyone else rushed to escape, their faces twisted with fear.
But Renee and William remained composed, almost as if they were on a simple stroll.
Suddenly, William yanked Renee into his arms, his voice urgent. “Nene!”
Her heart skipped a beat. Just then, a figure in front of them collapsed with a heavy thud, blood pooling rapidly from a gunshot wound at the back of their head.
Gunshots continued to ring out, echoing through the tense air.
Renee and William quickly found cover. The deafening gunfire and the frantic screams of people fleeing surrounded them. They paused, assessing the situation. The attackers were armed, and they couldn’t afford to act recklessly.
“Pirates,” Renee concluded, her voice steady but tense.
Around them, several people had already been shot, their bodies sprawled on the deck, while their loved ones cried out in fear and hopelessness.
Renee stood motionless, her expression unreadable. William looked down at her, concern in his eyes, and pulled her into a tight embrace. But in a
swift motion, she broke free and dashed forward.
William was quick to follow, staying close. Amid the barrage of bullets, Renee executed a somersault, scooped up a little girl into her arms, and rolled to safety behind a nearby pillar, shielding the girl from further harm.
When Renee looked up, she saw William following her, clearly unaware of the danger. Without cover, he was forced to dodge the incoming gunfire.
Her heart raced with anxiety until she saw him reach a nearby cabinet, securing temporary shelter. She exhaled in relief.
The little girl in her arms whimpered, “Mommy… Mommy…”
Renee kept her voice soft, gently whispering reassurances. Her heart clenched with every sob.
And for a moment, her mind flashed to Felix. The ache in her chest
deepened.
Not far away, a woman was shot twice in the chest, collapsing onto the ground in a pool of blood. Despite the severity of her injuries, she struggled to lift her head, her eyes locking onto Renee’s with a silent, desperate plea.
Renee’s gaze met hers, and in that fleeting moment, she understood.
“Please, save my daughter…”
Without hesitation, Renee nodded, clutching the little girl tighter in her
arms.
The woman’s lips curved into a faint smile before her eyes fluttered closed, her final breath fading away.
