Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117 Left Behind

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If Nathan chose to pull Elena out first, the full weight of the fallen beam would shift and crush

Camille.

There was no way Camille would allow that to happen.

Nathan slowed to a stop.

His gaze shifted back to Camille.

Elena felt her heart sink, the dread spreading through her chest until it was hard to breathe.

Of course.

Nathan clenched his jaw and looked at her. “Elena, Camille is pregnant. Please don’t blame me. I’ll get her out first, then I’ll come back for you, okay?”

He forced himself not to meet her eyes and rushed to Camille’s side.

With all his strength, he lifted the heavy wooden beam. As he raised it, most of the weight shifted downward, pressing hard onto Elena’s leg. It felt as if her bone were being crushed in a vise. A muffled groan escaped before she could stop it.

Cold sweat broke across her forehead, and tears sprang from the sheer physical shock. She bit down hard, forcing them back.

Once Nathan got Camille out, he would come back for her. He had to.

She repeated that to herself like a lifeline. At last, Camille was freed. Nathan started toward Elena, but Camille grabbed his arm.

“Babe, my stomach hurts. Please take me to the hospital right now,” she said, clutching her abdomen as if in pain.

“Elena is still in there,” Nathan replied, torn.

“You can’t go back,” Camille insisted. “Look at that wall behind her. It’s about to collapse.”

The cracked wall directly behind Elena swayed visibly.

Camille had noticed it earlier. The structure was unstable, ready to give way with the slightest

shift.

Nathan’s brows drew together as hesitation flickered across his face.

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Chapter 117 Left Behind

Elena’s pulse spiked. She might hate him in this moment, but she still wanted to live.

“Nathan!” she shouted.

“Babe, it really hurts,” Camille cried, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t lose you or this baby. Even if Elena forgives you, what good would that do if something happens to you? If you get hurt, even Grandpa’s shares won’t matter anymore.”

That was the final push.

Nathan looked at Elena one last time, guilt flashing across his features. “I’m sorry.”

Then he bent down, lifted Camille into his arms, and walked away without turning back.

Elena stared at their retreating figures as if branding the image into memory. She could not die here. Not like this.

This fire was no accident.

Somewhere deep inside, a surge of strength broke through her panic. Clenching her teeth against the agony in her lower leg, she forced the beam upward just enough to shift it.

Only three seconds.

But three seconds were enough.

She dragged her leg free. The skin along her calf was badly burned, blistered and raw. Ignoring the pain, she reached for her phone on the ground.

Just as she tried to crawl forward, she heard the sickening grind of crumbling masonry.

She turned.

The unstable wall less than two feet behind her tilted forward and came crashing down in her direction.

Elena squeezed her eyes shut. The expected impact never came.

Instead, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her tight against a solid chest. A

familiar cedarwood scent surrounded her.

She opened her eyes slowly.

Alexander. How is he here?

He shielded her completely, his body taking the force of whatever fell behind him. She could not see his face, nor the debris striking his back. She could only hear it.

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Chapter 117 Left Behind

A low, suppressed groan sounded above her.

Her heart leapt into her throat. “Alexander, are you hurt?”

His cool hand covered her ear gently. “I’m fine.”

He lifted her into his arms.

His steps were steady, controlled. She looked up at his face, searching for any sign of strain, but his expression revealed nothing.

Relief finally loosened the tight grip around her chest.

He must not be seriously injured.

The adrenaline that had carried her this far drained away all at once. Safe in his arms, Elena lost consciousness.

Alexander carried her out of the unstable building. Sophia was waiting outside, pacing anxiously. The moment she saw them emerge, she exhaled in relief.

“Get the car,” Alexander said, tossing her the keys.

“I thought you never trusted my driving, I mean what the hell, are you okay?” Sophia froze mid–sentence.

From the front, he looked composed as ever. From behind, it was another story. His shirt was streaked with dust and debris, the fabric at the back collar stained faintly red.

“Drive,” Alexander said calmly as he settled Elena beside him. “Unless you’d like your brother to bleed out.”

Sophia did not argue. She jumped into the driver’s seat and sped toward the hospital.

Alexander’s gaze fell on Elena’s calf. A burn roughly the size of his palm marred her pale skin, angry and red. Even unconscious, her brows were tightly drawn, and her fingers clutched her phone with stubborn force.

He tried to case it from her hand.

She would not let go. After a moment, he stopped trying.

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