Her Return, His Regret

On their way to the location, Ryan's heart kept beating like a drum. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime.

What if they were too late again?

What if he couldn't save Lora and lost her again?

All sorts of thoughts reeled in his mind, his heart clenching in pain.

He screamed at the pilot through the headsets. "Can this thing go faster? Hurry, Lora is in danger!"

"Ryan, calm down. Do you want us to crash? The helicopter is already fast enough," Adan reasoned through the headsets.

"Calm? I can't stay calm, Adan! I just found out Larisa is still alive and she got kidnapped! What if something happens to her again? I'll never forgive myself!" Ryan yelled, tears rolling down his cheeks. The sound of the helicopter drowned out his voice as it flew through the sky.

'Larisa... please be safe.'

'I swear I'll make it up to you with my life. Please... don't die.'

It didn't take long for the helicopter to land near the warehouse. However, Ryan's heart sank when he saw the flames that had engulfed the place.

His heart raced, beating so violently, it hurt.

"Not this again..." he murmured, his voice trembling.

"I'm calling the fire department," Adan said.

However, Ryan began to run towards the warehouse, his heart in his throat.

"Ryan! It's going to explode, you can't go in there!" Adan screamed at his friend but nothing could stop Ryan.

He only had one thing in mind- he had to save Lora no matter what.

The police sirens could be heard in the distance but Ryan had no time to wait. He couldn't risk letting Lora die in the fire.

He didn't know what miracle happened the last time and how she managed to escape... but this time, he would make sure he was the one to save her. At all costs.

The heat from the burning warehouse hit Ryan like a hurricane the closer he got to the building. However, that didn't stop him.

'Lora is inside... I have to save her,' is all he told himself and added speed to his legs, rushing forward without hesitation.

He felt like his skin was already burning when he reached the door, sweat trickling down his face and body like he was standing under a tap of water.

Ryan kicked the door down, a wave of heat and smoke hitting his face. The thick smoke choked his throat, stealing his breath but he didn't care.

When the fire grew bigger, he felt his heart drop to the pits of his stomach and he yelled in agony, "NO! Lora!"

He rushed through the fire, his skin sizzling at the brief contact he made with the inferno. Pain like no other rippled through him, but none of that mattered. He had to find Lora... he couldn't lose her again.

"Lora!" He called out, his throat, eyes and nose burning from the smoke that had seeped into him.

His lungs stung when he tried to breathe and his skin seared from the heat but Ryan pushed forward until he got inside.

Luckily, only the walls of the building were on fire. However, the smoke and heat could still cause extreme damage.

His eyes desperately searched for Lora through the smoke and he suddenly saw her on the ground, gasping for breath. "Lora!" He ran towards her and pulled her into his embrace. "I'm here."

At the same time, Lora coughed violently, her throat burning. She felt like every cell in her body was in pain... having been in the warehouse for some time, she ended up inhaling a lot of smoke.

Attempts to scream for help had proved futile. She saw her life flash before her eyes, her mind screaming- No! She couldn't die now! Her children were still young and they needed her. Did anyone notice that she was missing?

She was about to lose consciousness when she heard Ryan's worried voice calling for her.

"Ryan?" She croaked, her voice hoarse.

Did he come to save her?

No... how was that possible? Ryan could never save her. Unless if she was Ivy.

"Lora, I've got you. I'll get you out of here," Ryan's voice was clearer this time.

He cradled Lora to his chest and she could feel his warmth.

Was she dreaming?

Ryan had actually come to save her?

It had to be a dream... or perhaps she had already died and she was imagining things in the afterlife.

However, when he untied the ropes that bound her wrists and hugged her again, she came back to reality. She was still in the burning warehouse and Ryan rushed in to save her. "R-Ryan... what... are-"

"Ssssh, don't speak. Save your

energy. Helps coming," Ryan

whispered, pulling Lora closer to his

.

chest. "God, I'm glad I found you in time. I'm so glad you're alive, Larisa, you don't know how many times I've wished to trade my life with yours."

Lora frowned. Did he just call her Larisa? When did he find out?

She had no energy, so she just kept quiet, burying her face in his chest as Ryan continued, "When I thought you were dead, I kept hoping that time would change back so that I could trade my life with yours. I

blamed myself for not saving you on time...did come back for you at that time... I saved Ivy first only because she couldn't walk. However, I was still too late. I know what it looked like but I didn't plan to abandon you... I didn't expect those thugs to light the place on fire... I've lived with regret for the last six years... I regretted not saving you, Larisa... I should have offered my life

to save you at that time."

Lora's eyes were getting tired, however, she could hear Ryan's words and her heart clenched in pain. She could hear the raw pain and guilt in his voice.

"I know the situation is bad but I thank God for this second chance he gave me... now I can save you with my life. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, Lora."

Ryan kept confessing, telling Lora about his regrets, trying his best to keep her awake. However, the oxygen in the building kept depleting, the smoke getting thicker with each second. Suddenly, the roof gave way with a deafening crack, making the burning debris fall towards them.

Ryan acted fast. He twisted his body, using it to shield Lora from the impact. He groaned when a jagged oak beam struck him across the back. "R-Ryan..." Lora's voice trembled as she raised her head to meet Ryan's gray eyes.

Ryan smiled through the pain, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. As he gradually lost consciousness, he said, "I'm glad you're safe."