Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 253

The wind on the rooftop was fierce, howling past Carmen as she stood teetering on the edge.

Below, the woman who had attacked her earlier was pointing upward while gesturing wildly, her voice faintly audible even against the wind. Around her, a small crowd had gathered. Some laughed while others shook their heads, but they all watched with that morbid curiosity reserved for train wrecks and car crashes. Carmen glanced down, her heart heavy with despair but tinged with something darker-resentment.

She thought about what their faces would look like after she jumped. Would they scream? Would they cry? Or would they feel that cold rush of guilt as they realized they'd pushed her this far?

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. The thought felt almost like revenge.

Closing her eyes, Carmen raised her arms, the wind tugging at her clothes. Then, she let herself fall forward.

"Gosh!"

"She's jumping!"

Screams and gasps erupted from the ground below as her body tipped over the edge.

brief moment,

Then, everything stopped.

as her body jerked to a halt. She opened her eyes, confused, only to find herself hanging in mid-air. Her hand was gripped tightly by someone from behind. "What-" Carmen's voice was hoarse, her mind

up, she saw her savior-Felicia. Her face was pale but resolute, and her arm was stretched taut

on Felicia's forearm where it had scraped against the coarse edge of the rooftop, but she was smiling. She looked relieved, almost triumphant. "Gotcha," Felicia murmured, her

had sprinted up the stairs, her legs screaming with every step. She was completely out of breath by the time she reached the rooftop. But in that critical moment, she managed to grab

was choked with emotion, her throat raw as she pleaded, "Let go. Just let me go.

One hand held Carmen's wrist in an unrelenting grip while the other clung to the rooftop's edge with all her strength to keep them both from falling. Her voice, strained but steady, carried a sharp edge

those who spread lies about you. They haven't faced justice yet. Why

and resolute. The fire in

people gathered on the rooftop and worked

back on solid ground, a flood of well-meaning advice followed-"Don't give up", "Life is precious", and "Think things through". But as the crowd dispersed, Carmen stayed

did you save me?" she asked,

own life saving Carmen's. One