I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 861

The man thought for a moment. “You have to let my friends go, and you can’t give them any trouble. You also have to give us all money, help us create new identities, and get us out of the country.”

Steven nodded. “No problem. All I care about right now is my wife’s safety. Everything you’ve asked for is a minor detail to me.”

The man was silent for a moment before dropping his gun and shoving me forward. With my hands tied, I lost my balance and stumbled.

Seeing this, Steven reacted instantly, stepping forward to catch me and pulling me securely into his arms.

A group of men in suits rushed in and subdued the kidnapper, while Gordon went to untie the ropes binding Rachel.

Steven held me so tightly I could feel his body trembling.

“Zephyra, I’m so glad you’re okay. You scared me to death, you know that?”

His grip was so tight I could barely breathe. “Steven, let me go first, cough…”

My words seemed to snap him back to reality. He quickly loosened his hold and looked me over. “Are you hurt? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

I shot him an irritated glare. “Try being tied up and see how comfortable you feel! Now hurry up and untie me!”

Honestly, he must have been giddy with relief.

At my command, Steven immediately moved behind me. The moment the ropes fell away, I felt like I could finally breathe again, my whole body relaxing.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around my waist, and Steven pulled me back into his arms. Had the jerk forgotten we’d broken up? Why was he still being so handsy?

I was just about to push him away when I heard him say in a hoarse voice, “Zephyra, do you have any idea? The moment I heard you’d been kidnapped, my whole world just stopped.”

“I was terrified of losing you again. I had people searching everywhere, but there was no trace of you. My mind kept flashing back to our past lives… I’ve never felt fear like that before.”

There was a catch in his voice, and the hand I’d raised to push him away fell back to my side. I let him hold me.

Seeing the moment, Gordon ushered everyone else out of the room, pulling Rachel along with him.

“You know, I was already preparing for the worst,” Steven continued. “That if you were gone… I would do the same as I did in our past lives. I’d follow you, and we would start all over again.”

His words sent my heart racing.

When he was like this, I couldn’t remain calm. I had to admit, I still had feelings for him.

But I couldn’t be with him. At that thought, I raised my hands and pushed him away. “Is Uncle Julian worried sick?”

Steven looked at me, his gaze soft. “Uncle Julian doesn’t know.”

Hearing the pleading note in his voice, I gave in and let him lead me out of the room.

The old apartment building had several units on our floor, and Rachel and I had been held in the one at the very end of the hall.

As Steven led me down the corridor, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Maybe it was just psychological, but the air seemed easier to breathe out here.

Rachel and Gordon were up ahead with their men, while Steven and I followed behind.

Suddenly, a dark figure lunged out in front of me. I froze, seeing only a raised arm and the glint of a kitchen knife. By the time I recognized the heavyset man we’d crossed paths with before, it was too late to move.

I could only watch as the blade plunged toward me. My mind went blank, consumed by a single, terrifying thought: I was about to repeat the fate of my past lives.

After everything I'd done, I still couldn't change a thing. My destiny was sealed…

Just as the knife came down, Steven threw himself in front of me, pulling me into a fierce embrace. I heard the rip of fabric and the sickening thud of the blade sinking into flesh.

It only took a few seconds for the man to strike again, a second time.

I finally snapped out of my stupor and screamed. Gordon was close by and kicked the man to the ground as two bodyguards swarmed and subdued him.

I clung to Steven, too terrified to move. “Steven, are you okay?”