Chapter 2

I was giving him one last chance. If he didn't appreciate it, then whatever.

"Jensen, I'm coming to get you. Just hold on, okay?" I called out.

Blood soaked into the dirt and gravel, and a bone-deep despair and sorrow closed in around me.

The onlookers couldn't stand by any longer and helped me lift the heavy debris off the slab.

As everyone worked together, I gradually saw Jensen lying beneath the rubble through a narrow gap.

His face was ghostly pale, and he was clutching his chest in pain, trapped under the rubble, unable to move.

"My son has a heart condition. He must be having an episode!" I shouted, panic tightening my voice.

I sucked in a sharp breath as a chill crept over my body.

My tear-filled eyes pleaded with the kind strangers around me, begging them to save my son.

But behind me, a wave of excited cheers broke out.

"Nathan, you really live up to your name! You got him out in just a couple moves," someone shouted.

Nathan carefully lifted Mia's son Ethan into his arms and gave him a proud thumbs-up, like he was rewarding him.

"Ethan, you're the best, kid," Nathan said with a grin.

"Thank you, Nathan! Ethan, hurry and thank Nathan," Mia said, her voice overflowing with gratitude.

"They say you can never repay a life-saving favor enough, so how about letting Ethan call you his godfather? He'll be there for you for the rest of your life," Mia joked, her voice brimming with gratitude.

Mia was so happy that she couldn't help but throw her arms around Nathan.

Then, blushing, she quickly stepped back and gave Ethan a meaningful glance.

Ethan immediately understood, looked up at Nathan and called out in a sweet voice, "Daddy!"

"Good boy," Nathan replied warmly.

Nathan paused for a moment, unable to take his eyes off Mia.

He was still caught up in the warmth of that hug.

It wasn't until Mia's ears turned bright red under his gaze that he finally realized what he was doing and grinned from ear to ear.

His smile cut right through me, stinging my eyes.

I didn't cry, because I knew that even if Jensen was rescued now, he wouldn't have much time left.

Fighting back my anger, I rushed over and grabbed Nathan's arm.

"Nathan, go save Jensen! His heart condition is acting up!" I shouted, panic flooding my voice.

When Mia looked over at me, I met her gaze with a frosty stare, my face completely unreadable.

"Oh wow, Jensen's still stuck? Ugh, I'm just the worst! Nathan, hurry up and go save him!" Mia said, putting on an act.

"Linda, I'm really sorry, okay? Don't let it get to you. I'll have Nathan go help Jensen right now," Mia added, her words sounding anything but sincere.

Mia's apology was all for show. Her hands still clung tightly to Nathan, not a shred of genuine concern anywhere in her expression.

Ethan caught her signal and pouted, looking sulky and annoyed.

"Linda, you're so unfair! Rescue isn't like shopping. You can't just pick whoever you want. Why should Jensen get saved first instead of me?" Ethan complained, sounding super annoyed.

"Plus, your kid's always sick and sucks at school. He's nothing compared to me," Ethan bragged, full of himself.

Ethan gave me a dismissive look and rolled his eyes dramatically.

Hearing that, I was so mad that I almost wanted to smack him.

Nathan quickly blocked me before I could do anything rash, then called over a few teammates to join me in rescuing Jensen.

After the rescue team's relentless efforts, Jensen was finally rescued.

"Daddy... I want my daddy..." Jensen whimpered, his voice barely more than a breath.

Jensen was slipping in and out of consciousness, his eyes glazed and unfocused.

He kept calling Nathan's name, again and again, his voice weak and desperate.

I pressed my hand to my mouth, swallowing the sour ache rising in my throat.

I managed a shaky smile. "Jensen, don't worry. I'll always protect you from now on."

I just couldn't bring myself to tell him that his dad was over there, holding someone else's kid, going on and on about how great he was, even promising him a reward.

He was even about to let Ethan ride off on the only e-scooter here to get to the hospital.

"The roads are blocked, so cars can't get through. Just use this for now," Nathan said, not even sounding worried.

His words blew my sanity to pieces. I could barely think straight anymore.

Jensen lay limp in my arms, so weak he couldn't even move.

Ethan, on the other hand, looked totally healthy. His cheeks were bright red, and aside from a tiny scratch on his ankle, there was nothing wrong with him at all.

Without a second thought, I scooped Jensen up and dashed over, getting him onto the e-scooter before anyone else could react.

Before I could even get my balance, Nathan's shout was so loud that it made my head spin.

"Linda, get off that e-scooter right now!" Nathan barked, his anger practically shaking the air.

He stormed over and practically tore both me and Jensen off the scooter.

Jensen nearly went crashing to the ground.

After being jostled around like that, Jensen finally opened his eyes.

Seeing Nathan's face twisted in anger, Jensen's eyes showed a hint of fear.

But even through the pain, he hesitated, then reached out toward Nathan.

"Daddy..." he called out softly.

"Boys who cry at the drop of a hat are so spineless," Nathan muttered, his tone dripping with disdain.

He frowned, his face twisted in obvious disgust.

But he didn't ignore Jensen's plea. He reached out, ready to pick him up.

Just as Nathan was about to reach for Jensen, Ethan suddenly put on an act, clutching his forehead and murmuring weakly, "Godfather, I feel dizzy."

Mia jumped in, her concern obviously fake, "Nathan, quick, see what's wrong with Ethan!"