—- Chapter 14 Elizabeth rushed to the front line with the rest of the team, her eyes scanning desperately through the wreckage. She didn’t know how long she’d been searching , but finally, near a wrecked truck, she spotted him. The man was being lifted onto a stretcher. They’d barely moved a few steps when his black mask slipped off. Pamela gasped. “Oh my God! He’s hot.” Elizabeth looked down, and the moment she saw his face, her breath caught in her throat. Daniel. It was really him.
At the same time, Daniel’s eyes fluttered open on the stretcher. When he saw Elizabeth standing next to him, he reached out and grabbed her wrist without hesitation. His voice shook with relief, like he’d just come back from the edge of death. “Elizabeth… don’t go.” Pamela blinked in disbelief. “Wait, you two know each other?” —- Elizabeth didn’t know how to answer. She tried to pull away, but Daniel’s grip was iron. His grip was like shackles, locking her in place; she couldn’t break free.
So, tangled in awkward silence, they made their way back to camp in that strange, messy posture. Elizabeth wanted to leave, but Daniel refused to let her. He only wanted her to treat his wounds. Even Pamela gave up trying to help. “Ellie, just do it already. If nothing else, do it for that face.” Elizabeth didn’t say a word. She had practically been forced to stay. Silently , she grabbed the med kit and began treating his wounds , her expression unreadable .
She didn’t speak throughout the entire process. Then Daniel uttered her name, and in that moment, something inside her snapped. Without warning, she pressed down hard on one of his injuries. Daniel gasped, his breath catching in his throat from the sharp sting of pain, but Elizabeth still didn’t feel any better. She thought she’d let it all go. She thought she was past it. But the moment she saw Daniel’s face again, everything came flooding back.
The shame, betrayal, and the way he’d left her to be torn apart and —- humiliated. She had trusted Daniel so deeply, and how had he repaid her? He’d leaked the video to humiliate her, let his friends torture her with pepper in liquid form, and when she was kidnapped, he stood by and did nothing. So, what gave him the right to come back now? Elizabeth’s pressure on the wound grew harsher and harsher, until sweat beaded on Daniel’s forehead from the pain.
Only then did she finally pull her hand away. “The bandages are done. I’m leaving.” She turned without hesitation. But just as she took a step, Daniel suddenly stood and grabbed her wrist like a man possessed , slamming her back against the bedframe. Startled , Elizabeth snapped, “Daniel, what the hell are you doing?” His voice was tight with restraint, and blood was soaking through his bandages, but he didn’t care. “Elizabeth, come back with me. I’ve broken it off with Cheryl. When we return to Kaverton, I’ll give you the wedding you deserve, something grand and worthy of you.”
—- Elizabeth stared into his eyes, cold and unflinching . After a long silence, she whispered , “And why would you think I’d go back with you? The Elizabeth who once loved you is gone, Daniel. You killed her with your own hands. If the pain I felt had been yours, would you have forgiven me?” Daniel froze. He wanted to argue, but the memories of everything he’d done to her came rushing back like a tidal wave. Not a single word came out of his mouth.
Elizabeth pried his hand off her wrist, her voice steady and sharp. “Project Dawnlight won’t be over for along time. “I’m not going anywhere , so don’t waste your time here. I don’t love you anymore , Daniel. I don’t even hate you. I just wish I’d never met you.” She shoved him back, and he stumbled , collapsing onto the edge of the bed. He tried to get up, but his injuries flared , and he let out a pained grunt.
Still, he gritted his teeth and growled, “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I’m not letting you go. I’ve found you. And now that I have, don’t even think about disappearing again.” Elizabeth didn’t even look back. She walked out —- without a word. Elizabeth clung to the belief that after what she’d endured , Daniel would finally see reason and let her go. However, the following morning, as she walked toward the restroom , a sudden attack extinguished that hope.
Strong hands clamped over her mouth and nose, and consciousness slipped away. When she came to, she was no longer in East Lutenia. She was back in Kaverton.
