His Apology Two Lifetimes Late

Even with the memories of my past life, escape was no easy feat.

The gunshot wound was too deep. My makeshift bandage did little to stop the bleeding.

I could feel my life bleeding out onto the cold ground, my strength draining with every drop.

A heavy rain began to fall. The cold water mixed with my blood, blurring my vision.

Too much blood loss. The rain was making me colder by the second. If I got lost out here… my baby wouldn't make it. Neither would I.

Left with no other choice, I took out my encrypted phone and called the family.

"This is Alessia. Ambushed at the South Side railyard. I'm shot, and it's bad. I need backup."

I never expected Kent himself to answer. After hearing my desperate plea, he let out a cold laugh.

"Alessia, drop the act. You're the family's top tactician. You, in danger? Unlikely. I know you're fine, so find a hole to hide in. As for Camilla, you walked her right into a trap. This time, I'm saving her first. We'll settle our score later."

With that, he hung up.

I froze, my mind blank.

In my past life, Kent had chosen me without hesitation. He had never spoken to me with such cruelty.

But now, he said he would save Camilla first.

There was only one explanation. Kent had been reborn, too.

In this life, he chose Camilla.

The roar of a distant engine snapped me back to reality.

I couldn't wait for a rescue that would never come. I had to save myself.

I forced myself forward, the blood from my leg flowing ceaselessly, leaving a dark trail behind me.

The reek of blood drew the scavengers of this lawless place—a pack of feral dogs, snarling and circling.

They closed in, treating me like prey.

Exhausted, I collapsed.

A wave of despair crashed over me. This was it. My child and I were going to die here.

"Alessia! What are you doing here?!" A familiar voice suddenly called out.

I looked up.

Through the curtain of rain, several family soldiers emerged. Relief surged through me.

They were Kent's soldati.

"Thank God! I'm so glad to see you. I'm badly hurt. Please, take me back to the safe house!"

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.

"Alessia, the Don ordered us to rescue Camilla. She's hiding on a container, waiting for help."

I was stunned. My voice trembled. "So, you're not going to save me?"

They hesitated.

Just then, one of their phones rang. It was Kent.

"What's the situation? Have you found Camilla? Have you rescued her?"

"Not yet. But we ran into Alessia. She's been shot, too. Should we take her back first?"

Kent's voice was ice. "She's fine. It's a flesh wound, at worst. She's faking it to slow you down. Don't fall for it. Get Camilla now."

"No!"

I shouted at the phone. "Kent, I'm really shot! Please, just have one of them take me back. Just one!"

"Alessia, I know your tricks. Being a man down lowers our chances of getting to Camilla. If you're really that badly hurt, then you can wait until Camilla is safe."

The last of my hope shattered.