Die

Chapter 176 –

Estela POV

How did we get here?

The forest is too quiet. My ears are ringing with the echo of the gunshot, but I can still hear her voice—low and urgent—cutting through the chaos.

"Go after him, he'll escape again. I'll be fine."

"But—" I kneel beside her, my hands hovering uselessly over the gunshot wound on her thigh. Blood soaks through the torn fabric of her pants, slick and vivid against her skin. I feel my throat close. Panic claws at the edges of my chest. I want to scream. I want to cradle her and never let go.

"You're not fine," I whisper, but my voice is too thin, too scared.

"Estela. Please."

That one word, spoken like an anchor, steadies me.