Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 176

Holding on to Life

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Holding on to Life

Abril continued cleaning Alessandro’s body with a damp cloth, removing traces of blood. As her hands moved skillfully, Lessan began to feel drowsy and let out a big yawn.

“You must be very tired, we should sleep.”

Alessandro hadn’t been sleeping properly since he had been separated from Abril, and at that moment, all the accumulated fatigue seemed to hit him at once.

“Yes, we should rest, tomorrow will be a difficult day.”

Alessandro took Abril in his arms and carried her to the bed in the middle of the tent, gently laying her down. He lay beside her, embraced her, and said,

“You can’t imagine how much I’ve longed to hold you like this, how much I’ve missed you.”

“I can’t imagine it because I lived through it. I felt the same way as you while we were apart. Every day was torture, and you can’t imagine how furious was when you didn’t respond to my letter when I asked you if I could come back. I even thought you had forgotten about me.”

Alessandro hugged Abril tighter and whispered in her ear,

“I could never forget you; there hasn’t been a single moment when you weren’t on my mind.”

Abril placed her left hand with the marriage mark over Alessandro’s left hand, their marriage marks glowed faintly.

“Even in the middle of this war, I’m happy to be with you, to be by your side. I’m very happy to be

your wife.”

Alessandro pressed Abril closer to him, inhaling the scent of her hair. Abril remembered she had sweated a lot and hadn’t bathed yet.

“Please don’t do that, I’m dirty.”

“No, you’re not, you smell very good.”

After saying that, Alessandro fell asleep. She tried to free herself from his embrace, but in the end, she couldn’t. He had clung to her tightly as if afraid she would escape. Abril stopped trying to break free from his arms and fell asleep, enjoying the warmth of her husband.

The next day, Abril woke up feeling Alessandro wasn’t there. When she opened her eyes, she saw him putting on his armor, and he apologized.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, what time is it?”

< Holding on to Life

“It’s early, you can sleep a little longer if you want.”

Abril shook her head.

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“I’m not at home but on the battlefield, I’m aware of that. I couldn’t sleep in when there are so many

wounded who need care.”

Alessandro sighed heavily and replied,

“You’re right, at this moment no one can rest.”

“Are you going back to the battle?”

Asked Abril, very worried.

“Yes, I’m going to organize my men. The monsters usually attack at dawn.”

“Be very careful.”

After he was done putting on his armor, Alessandro approached Abril, kissed her forehead, and

said,

“I will, I promise I’ll come back safe and sound.”

“You’d better make sure of it.”

“See you later.”

Alessandro left the tent, and Abril did shortly after. She was heading to the infirmary tent when she ran into Ethan. Even though she had her hair in a different color, he recognized her immediately,

although, as always when he saw her, it wasn’t exactly her he was seeing.

“Sophia, what are you doing here?”

He asked, very scared, as if he had seen a ghost.

“I’m helping, aren’t I?”

Ethan took Abril by the arms and said,

“You can’t be here, you must leave immediately. This place is very dangerous.”

Ethan’s hands trembled slightly; he seemed terrified that she was there.

“You must leave. I don’t want to lose you again, go immediately to a safe place.”

Abril felt a bit of pity. She knew all those words and concern weren’t directed at her but at her

mother. She placed her hand over Ethan’s and said,

“I appreciate your concern, but I can’t leave.”

“But…”

Holding on to Life

“Don’t try to convince me to go, because I won’t. That’s the decision I’ve made. I know when you see me, you see my mother, but remember I’m not her.”

“This place is too dangerous, don’t you see?”

“Of course I see, but everything I care about, everything I love is here. That’s why I can’t leave, even if it means risking my life, I’ll fight for them.”

Ethan released Abril, lowered his gaze, and then clenched his hands tightly. He couldn’t deny that what Abril had said was true; every time he saw her he saw Sophia and couldn’t help but worry

about her.

“Take care, and don’t make any mistakes.”

Ethan said, then left.

Lionel, one of the tower’s mages, approached Abril and said,

“Amara, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“Is something up?”

“It’s the wounded, we need help.”

“Let’s go.”

Abril glanced in the direction Ethan had gone, but he was already gone. Lionel led her to a tent where there were soldiers with severe wounds and injuries. Upon seeing their condition, Abril

asked,

“I thought I treated the seriously wounded yesterday?”

“These soldiers were treated yesterday by the doctors and the other mages. However, their wounds are so critical that they were discarded. Usually, they attend to the wounded who have a chance of surviving; these are separated. Most die, and only a few survive such wounds. I suppose they are destined to die.”

Abril felt disgusted; the situation brought back bitter memories. In the past, she had been in a similar situation, yet she had never given up; she had clung to life, just like many of those soldiers who fought with all their might to survive. She rolled up the sleeves of her tunic and said,

“Never say they’re destined to die again. Can’t you see they’re fighting with all they’ve got, even if everything’s against them? Don’t discard anyone; no one has the right to decide who lives and who

dies.”

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