Chapter 246: The Weight of a Choice

Skylar stood frozen, her pulse hammering as she watched the medics lift Chris onto the stretcher. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. Blood soaked his shirt, staining the fabric a deep crimson.

He looked… fragile.

It was strange—Chris Blackwood was never fragile. He was always calculating, always in control. But now? Now, he was fighting just to stay conscious.

And she didn't know how to feel about it.

Ethan was still locked in a silent standoff with Ava. The hatred in his eyes was unmistakable. Cole stood nearby, his fists clenched, his usual arrogance stripped away.

No one spoke.

Not until Chris let out a sharp, pained breath. His eyelids fluttered, and Skylar felt something twist in her chest.

She shouldn't care.

Not after everything.

Not after what he had done.

And yet—she stepped forward.

"Move," she said.

Cole glanced at her, then at Ethan, before stepping aside. The medics were already prepping to move Chris out, but Skylar reached for his hand before they could lift him.

His skin was cold. Too cold.

His fingers barely twitched in response.

She swallowed hard. Why was she doing this?

Because despite everything—despite his power, his ruthlessness, the way he had controlled her life—Chris Blackwood had never looked more human than he did right now.

A weak breath left his lips. His head tilted slightly, as if he were trying to focus on her.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper—

"Sky… lar…"

Her breath caught.

The medics moved, carrying him toward the exit, toward the helicopter that would determine whether he lived or died.

Skylar let go.

And as she watched them disappear into the night, she realized something terrifying.

She didn't want him to die.