Chapter 272

Evelyn chewed on the fish without expression. Without any seasoning, she couldn't taste anything but the blandness of the flesh.

The fish had washed ashore, and Adrian had picked it up, roasting it over a small fire made of dried leaves.

It was nothing but salt and fishiness—no flavor, no satisfaction.

She longed for the rich, buttery sauces of that little Parisian bistro she used to frequent, paired with a crisp glass of Chardonnay.

Adrian, however, ate with enthusiasm. When he heard her sigh, he glanced up, grinning.

"Evie, if you're not going to finish that, I'll take it." He reached for her fish.

She jerked back, glaring at him while shielding her meal. "Back off, or Leo will make you regret it." Beside her, Leo bared his teeth in warning.

Adrian chuckled. "If you're bored, we could visit the indigenous village. I'll show you around."

Evelyn immediately shook her head.

Was he insane? Just the thought of those people sent chills down her spine. Dressing like them? Absolutely not.

The sky stretched endlessly above them, a perfect, cloudless blue.

The sea breeze rolled in, fresh and invigorating. But Evelyn couldn't appreciate it.

When would this nightmare end?

Just as despair threatened to swallow her, the distant roar of an engine cut through the air.

Before Adrian could react, Evelyn sprinted to higher ground, waving frantically at the approaching speedboat. "Help!"

The boat drew closer, the engine's growl growing louder.

But before relief could settle in, Adrian grabbed her arm, his voice sharp. "Run. Now. Those are pirates."

Fear locked her throat.

She scooped up Leo and bolted. Adrian nearly laughed at how quickly she moved.

"Into the jungle!" he ordered.

Evelyn hesitated, but her feet didn't. "But—the indigenous people—"

"They're the lesser evil."

True.

They ran without looking back, their breaths ragged, their hearts pounding.

The wind whipped against their faces, sharp and biting. They didn’t dare stop, not even when their lungs burned.

This was worse than that stormy night.

Behind them, rough laughter and heavy footsteps echoed, punctuated by gunshots—warning shots.

A savage game of predator and prey.

Fear coiled tight in Evelyn’s chest, every nerve alight with terror.

Then—her foot caught.

She crashed to the ground, her knee slamming against the earth with a sickening thud.

Pain exploded through her leg.

Adrian turned, his expression darkening when he saw her biting her lip, trying to stifle a cry. He moved to lift her, but she shoved him away.

"Save your strength," she gritted out, forcing herself up. "I can keep going."

Adrian studied her, then nodded. He grabbed her arm, pulling her forward as they ran.

Her knee screamed in protest, the pain blinding. But she couldn’t stop.

She ran on pure adrenaline, sweat beading on her forehead.

The gunfire grew louder.

Closer.

Her heart hammered violently, her body pushed to its limits.

But she wouldn’t give in.

The wind howled, carrying the occasional crack of gunfire.

They didn’t dare slow down.

The pirates must have seen the SOS signal.

Ahead, smoke curled into the sky—the indigenous village.

Adrian yanked her behind a massive tree trunk, where they’d stored branches earlier. The scent of fish oil clung to the wood.

Then—

Bang.