Chapter 7

Iris was jolted awake by searing pain in her right hand. It was wrapped in thick bandages, and even the slightest movement sent tearing pain through her. The nurse said softly, "The explosion damaged the tendons in your right hand. Even after recovery, it will probably be difficult for you to do precise movements again, like holding a gun steadily." Iris stared at the pale ceiling wordlessly. Just then, the door to her ward was pushed open. Ethan walked in with an insulated container. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. He sat down beside her bed, opened the lid, and spooned out some freshly made chicken soup. He blew on it carefully before bringing it to her lips. "You were unconscious for two days," he said in a gentle tone she hadn't heard in a long time. "I was here the entire time. I made this myself this morning. You lost a lot of blood. Drink some—it'll help." The warm soup slid down her throat, yet it did nothing to warm her heart. Iris noticed the familiar anxiety in his eyes and knew this tenderness was only the calm before the storm. Sure enough, his phone rang, breaking the silence like a blade. Ethan answered. After hearing just one sentence, his expression changed drastically. "Vee's been kidnapped?" The container clattered onto the bedside table. Soup spilled everywhere. He seized Iris' uninjured left arm and dragged her off the bed. The sudden movement tore at the wound in her right hand. Fresh blood hastily seeped through the bandages, yet he didn't even spare her a glance. Ethan half-carried her into the car and slammed the door. The engine growled, and the car sped away from the hospital. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "The kidnappers want you in exchange for Violet. We only have an hour." His voice was laced with urgency and guilt, yet anchored by an unyielding resolve. "I'll arrange everything and save you as fast as I can." He paused, searching for a promise that would carry more weight. "We'll get married once Vee is safe." Iris closed her eyes. The pain in her hand burned, but it was nothing compared to the pain in her chest. To save Violet, he had used marriage as a bargaining chip. After a long while, she opened her eyes. Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible. "You… want me to trade places with her?" "Yes." Iris turned her head to the window, watching the streetlights pass by. Then, she raised her hand and wiped away the tear in the corner of her eye. "Alright." Ethan's hand trembled. He had expected her to fight back. He hadn't expected such a calm answer. For a moment, he felt inexplicably hollow inside. However, Violet's terrified face soon overtook his thoughts. The kidnappers kept their word outside the abandoned chemical plant. When they saw Iris, they shoved Violet forward. She was in tears, and her makeup was ruined. Before the car came to a halt, Ethan jumped out and pulled Violet tightly into his arms, shielding her from the world with his body. "It's okay. you're safe now, Vee…" His voice was heartbreakingly gentle. He never once spared Iris a backward glance. Even as he helped Violet into the car and drove away, the taillights never stopped for her. From the shadows inside the plant, a scarred man named Frank Palmer stepped forward. "It's been a while, Ms. Whitman." He grasped Iris' chin, crushingly hard. "It's time you paid for my brother's life." Everything after that was pure hell—numbing electric shocks, choking water, and the dull thud of fists and batons slamming into old wounds and fresh ones alike. Iris was beaten like a piece of worn leather. Blood spilled from the corner of her lips and ruptured wounds, pooling beneath her in dark red. Her right hand's freshly stitched tendons ruptured again. Every breath ripped through her chest with searing pain. However, she never pleaded for mercy. Meanwhile, Ethan's promise of "immediate rescue" was, like countless others, nothing but empty words. At last, Frank was tired. Breathing hard, he pulled out a knife and said, "I've had my fun. Now, it's time you joined my brother in hell!" A faint smile crept onto Iris' face. Right then, an explosion roared outside the plant, followed by a storm of gunfire. "Mr. Palmer! There are armed helicopters outside!" yelled one of his men as he stumbled inside. Frank whipped his head around. The skylight shattered in a deafening blast. Several heavily armed foreign special agents rappelled down, hitting the ground with lethal speed. "This is the ICTF! Drop your weapons!" Everything was under control in seconds. Robert rushed to Iris' side. Noticing how battered and bruised she was, his expression darkened. "We need a medic here right this instant!" "No…" With the last of her strength, she clutched his sleeve with her blood-stained fingers. Her eyes were filled with the stubborn, desperate plea of someone who was at death's door. "Take me… to the airport… right now…" Robert held her gaze. Despite how broken she looked, the resolve in her eyes was unmistakable. He fell silent for a moment before nodding firmly. "Alright." … Ethan was gently comforting Violet, who was only shaken, in the hospital's private ward when his phone rang. Leo's panicky voice came through. "Professor Caldwell has been abducted by international terrorists, Mr. Cooper! They've set up anti-sniper defenses. Field command believes only Iris' long-range sniping might work. We need her immediate support!" Ethan felt his blood run cold as he held his phone. Darrell Caldwell… His mentor. Where was Iris? He jerked his head up and looked in the direction of the chemical plant. An overwhelming chill seized his heart, squeezing the air from his lungs. It hit him that he had left her there. He'd forgotten her. "Hurry!" he barked into his phone, terror twisting his voice. "Go to the chemical plant and save Iris at once!"