Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Exhausted, Josiah stumbled as he stepped out of the narrow wooden hut, nearly tripping over the threshold.

"Mr. Evans." A bodyguard swiftly reached out to steady Josiah, eyes scanning his pallid, grim face with concern. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine..." Josiah shook his head, then suddenly turned to the bodyguards

flanking him. "Why are you all standing here? Go find him."

"Mr. Evans, we have to protect you," one bodyguard said.

"Do I need it?" Josiah asked angrily, his gaze filled with sarcasm.

"Get out there and find Conner."

"Mr. Evans..." The bodyguards were hesitant.

"Go now," Josiah instructed.

"Yes, sir." The bodyguards exchanged glances but ultimately obeyed Josiah's orders, swiftly scattering in all directions.

After shouting himself hoarse, Josiah felt a sharp pain throbbing in his temples. He raised a hand to rub his temple, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

The mountain had no streetlights, and the recent rain had left the paths muddy and treacherous. The longer they delayed, the worse things would get.

One more person searching meant one more ray of hope. Josiah gripped his flashlight tightly and plunged into the search himself.

The sounds of voices faded into the distance, and only the steady beam of his flashlight illuminated the path ahead. Josiah glanced at his phone from time to time, afraid of missing any incoming calls or messages.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Josiah's feet gave way! He thought, 'Damn it!' By the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late. His center of gravity plummeted, and his entire body plunged downward in free fall.

"Ethan, help," Josiah's pupils shrank as he shouted.

However, the descent was too rapid. Josiah's cry was swallowed by the abyss along with him.

"Ugh." As his body tumbled down, scraping against jagged rocks, Josiah gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan. His flashlight had long been lost. He was now engulfed in an endless void.

depths of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for

his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached

palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp,

to rid himself of the sticky dampness. He then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone.

'It must have been flung away when I fell. Perhaps it's nearby?' All

had fallen off a cliff, but no cliff was this shallow. The place looked

this? Wait!' Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person.

thought, 'It seems to be a person. In this deep mountain, could it be... Conner?' His throat tightened. A wave of emotion surged through him as he struggled to

flared up from the wound on his left leg, a sharp, blinding agony shot

Josiah forced himself to endure it, shoving the pain aside as

to one knee, he reached out

was still wearing a hospital gown under his

with urgency. As the realization hit him, a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Thank God!" He had found Conner. That meant Joyce could still be

to help Conner up and patted his face. "Wake up. Can you hear me,

remained shut. There was no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and then he

Conner is faring any better. I could stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements,

I can't

his shoulder, and helped him to his feet. He wondered, 'But what next?' Josiah struck the lighter and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, an eerie Wind rushing toward them. He had his suspicions-this must be some kind

turning back was impossible. Their only option

shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the ground where he had fallen

onto his back. "Ugh." Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath him. He barely managed to

wouldn't have been a problem for Josiah to

flesh of Josiah's left leg now. Every step sent a sharp pang

slowly regulating his breathing until he finally steadied himself. Then, he

walked, he talked to

that? Tania tied you up

were still thinking of escaping, of going back to save Joyce, weren't you? Right..." Josiah trailed off before adding abruptly, "I

nothing to do with Josiah, Joyce was his daughter. Still, he kept chattering

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

crept

voice. "Conner, show some

Say something. Where are you

waiting for you to save her life You have to hold

around them, picking up force. And then,