In the abandoned building, the moment felt like the world itself stopped breathing.
Lauran smirked, lifting the knife‑cut rope in his hand.
Lauran: "Enough talking. Let's play a game.
Will you save yourself… or him?" 😈
Before Jonathan could even shout, Lauran slashed the rope.
Justin: "MOM!!" 😨
Jonathan: "JUSTIN!" 😱
Justin squeezed his eyes shut, expecting the icy touch of the water… the teeth… the darkness.
But—
He didn't fall.
His small trembling body dangled midair.
A strong, familiar voice echoed from above like thunder.
Amber: "Over my dead body." 😡
Jonathan's eyes shot open.
There—on the first floor railing—
Amber held the rope with both hands, muscles shaking, fury burning hotter than fire.
With a grunt, she pulled the rope upward bit by bit, ignoring the pain in her still‑healing wounds.
Justin stared at her, breath stolen away.
Justin: "Mom…" 😢
Amber reached down with one arm, lifted him in a fierce embrace, and kissed his face again and again.
Amber: "My son… my baby… my Justin…" 🥺❤️
Justin clung to her like she was the entire universe.
And for the first time… Justin felt it.
The feeling he had been searching for his entire life.
The feeling of home. ❤️
But the moment didn't last long.
Lauran: "Touching scene… but pointless."
He raised a gun, aiming directly at Amber's heart.
"All three of you will die today." 😡
Before anyone could react—
Lauran fired.
Amber's eyes widened.
Without thinking, she wrapped Justin tightly and threw him toward Jonathan with all the strength she had left.
Justin fell safely into Jonathan's arms.
But Amber…
She dropped from the first floor, collapsing on the cold ground below.
Lauran laughed.
Lauran: "Finally… you're dead, Amber." 😏
Jonathan: "AMBER!!! JUSTIN!!!" 😱
His voice cracked — a sound that could shatter mountains.
Justin, trembling in Jonathan's arms, pushed away and crawled toward his mother.
Justin: "Mom… mom… mom…" 😢
Her eyes were closed.
Her breathing weak and shallow.
Justin shook her desperately.
Justin: "Mom, please… I want to live with you… you're my mother… please wake up…" 😭
"Don't leave me, Mom… I don't want a life without you… please…"
Jonathan could only watch—his heart tearing, his breath gone, guilt crushing him like heavy chains.
Justin choked, crying so hard it hurt his lungs.
Justin: "Mom… you're the light when everything is dark…
If you go against the whole world, I'll stand with you…
Just don't leave me… please…" 😭😭
For a moment, the world went silent.
The air froze.
Justin's tears fell on Amber's cheeks.
And slowly…
Painfully…
Amber's fingers twitched.
She opened her eyes—weak but filled with fire.
Amber: "…Promise, right?" 😕
Her voice was barely a whisper, but to Justin, it felt louder than life.
Justin froze—then burst into uncontrollable sobs of pure relief.
Jonathan's knees gave out as he whispered:
"Amber…"
Amber lifted her trembling hand, wiping Justin's tears.
Amber: "A mother's promise… I never break."
---continue