Chapter 263: A Choice to Make

The tension in the hospital room was suffocating. Chris held all the power here, and everyone knew it.

Ava stood in front of him, bound but still holding her head high. Unbroken.

Chris's gaze shifted to Skylar, who had remained quiet through all of this. She stood near the window, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

Then, Chris spoke.

"Take the gun."

Skylar's brows furrowed slightly. "What?"

Chris's fingers tapped against the blanket covering his lap, but his voice remained calm. Controlled.

"You heard me," he said, nodding toward Ethan.

Ethan didn't hesitate. He pulled his gun from its holster, checked the safety, and extended it toward Skylar.

Ava stiffened slightly, but she didn't say a word.

Skylar hesitated before slowly reaching out and taking the weapon. It felt heavy in her grip.

Chris leaned forward slightly, despite the pain in his body. His gaze was locked onto her.

"Pull the trigger."

The words hit the room like a gunshot of their own.

Skylar's fingers curled tighter around the handle, but she didn't raise the gun.

Chris tilted his head. "She tried to kill me. She stabbed me. And because of her, I was nearly put in the ground. She deserves to die."

Skylar's jaw tightened. "And you want me to do it?"

Chris smirked faintly. "Consider it an act of loyalty."

Silence stretched between them.

Skylar glanced at Ava, who still hadn't spoken. But in her eyes, there was something—understanding. Acceptance. As if she already knew how this would end.

Skylar swallowed. Chris was testing her.

She looked back at him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, waiting.

The weight of the gun in her hand suddenly felt unbearable.

And in that moment, she realized—whatever choice she made, there was no going back.