Chapter 25
Before long, the sound of police sirens rang out from outside. The warehouse immediately descended into chaos.
The cops are here!”
“How did they find this place?”
“No one was supposed to know about this location! Why are the police here?”
The guards, all members of the Lynch family, panicked. But they had been in this line of work for years. Their suspicion immediately fell on Zora.
“It must be that woman! The police are here not long after she was locked up here!”
“Damn whore! She must’ve been working with the cops all along!”
“If we can’t escape, she won’t leave here alive, either!”
People pushed to the edge could do anything–especially those who lived on the fringes of danger.
A group of men, furious and armed with iron rods, stormed toward Zora, determined to finish her off before the police arrived. They surrounded her, their weapons raining down blows, venting their rage at their ruined plans.
“Bitch!”
“Die, you whore! How dare you call the cops!”
“Go to hell!”
Their curses mixed with the relentless beating sent waves of pain through Zora’s body.
She had long been prepared to sacrifice herself, but now that the moment had come, a trace of fear still crept in.
Never mind. Consider this her repayment to Justin for all the lies.
This time, Norah was truly dead.
She closed her eyes. Even as her breath grew weak, she refused to beg for mercy.
This was Zora’s dignity as a cop. From the moment she took on the mission to dismantle this vast drug cartel, she had given up everything–her life and her future–all to eradicate this cancer from society.
But still… it hurt.
“Justin, you’re the only person I wronged,” she thought.
In her final moments, memories of the times she had abandoned Justin for her mission surfaced.
He must have hated her.
This was good.
This was enough.
She had never shed tears in the face of pain or humiliation. But now, remembering the anguish in the eyes of the man she loved, Zora wept with blood trickling from her lips.
“If possible… I hope you live a long, peaceful life. Forget me. Goodbye, Justin.” She curled up hopelessly.
“Norah!”
As a shout filled with indescribable sorrow sounded, Zora’s eyes flew open in disbelief.
It was him.
Why? Why was he here? Why did he come?
Tears rushed forth in an unstoppable stream. A dam of emotions Zora had suppressed for so long burst. She watched as Justin ran toward her just like before.
Then, he threw himself over her, shielding her with his own body, taking the blows meant for her.
Zora sobbed uncontrollably, “Why? Why did you come? I told you I never wanted to see you again! Why did you still come?
“You’ll die, Justin! You’ll die!”
She felt the strikes grow heavier as Justin’s presence only fueled their attackers‘ anger.
Justin’s face paled, yet he still smiled at her. “It’s enough for me to be able to die by your side. Norah, don’t cry…”
At his words, her tears flowed even more fiercely. She clung to him desperately. “I hurt you so much… Why did you still come? I never wanted to drag you into this, Justin! Never!
“But why? Why did you still come? After everything I did, why did you still come to save me?”
He smiled as he gently wiped her tears away. “Because I love you. Do you love me, Norah?”
Justin’s voice was faint, his eyes struggling to stay open. But he fought to capture the face of the love of his life in his mind. He didn’t want to miss even a second
“I love you… I’ve always loved you.”
That was enough.
Justin smiled, content. He remained there, shielding her, taking all the pain and suffering meant for her, and steadfastly protecting the woman he loved even as his eyes finally closed. His breath then faded away.
The police finally barged into the warehouse, apprehending every last criminal.
However, Justin lay lifeless before Zora. Holding him tightly, Zora let out a heart–wrenching cry.
But it was too late.
