The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 154- in danger

Chapter 154: Chapter 154- in danger

After several rounds, Charles clearly had the upper hand, though Manfred fought fiercely. Soon, both men’s handsome faces were marked with bruises and cuts. Janet’s heart pounded with anxiety; unable to see, she dared not move recklessly, fearful that any sudden movement might harm the baby — and then everything would be lost.

Finally, the two stopped fighting — whether it was Janet’s voice that made them pause, or simply exhaustion, no one knew. Charles loosened the buttons on his suit jacket, wiping the blood at the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. Rolling up the sleeves of his black shirt beneath, he looked far from the composed man he usually was.

Seeing this, Manfred caught Charles’s arm and signaled with his eyes for him to leave. Charles nodded in acknowledgment, then slowly approached Janet, whose gaze was distant and vacant. Tenderly, he helped her button up the coat he had undone earlier.

In the quiet between her rapid breaths, his cool lips brushed against her forehead, then fell to rest on her closed eyelids. His eyes darkened, fingers gliding softly over her pale skin as a choked whisper escaped him, "Wait for me here."

"Where are you going? Charles? What are you going to do?" Janet tried to grab hold of him, but he had already released her. Some matters could not be settled with words; they had to be resolved as men.

"Manfred?" Janet’s worry resurfaced, sensing the unspoken tension between the two men. They had just fought, and now both bore injuries. She called Manfred’s name anxiously, desperate to stop further conflict, but powerless to act. Her frustration boiled — why, at this critical moment, was she blind to everything?

"It’s alright, Janet. Stay here. I’ll be back soon." Manfred wiped blood from his face carelessly, hands thrust into his pockets, and followed Charles a few steps forward toward a vast grassy hill on the far side of the resort. Their eyes locked onto Janet’s fragile form standing some distance away.

Janet resembled a lily wilting in the wind — elegant yet delicate, stubborn in her frailty, inspiring both pity and a fierce desire to protect. At this moment, the man by her side was exactly who she needed most.

Manfred stared at her for a long moment, his eyes burning with an ache so deep it made them sting. Then he turned and delivered a heavy punch to Charles’s chest. This time, Charles didn’t dodge — he knew the blow was deserved.

"Now, can you tell me?" Charles leaned back slightly, took a few steps, then steadied himself. The cuts on his lips and cheeks barely affected his spirit, but his heart ached with guilt and sorrow. She had been by his side all along, and he hadn’t even known she was ill.

Was that why she ran from him so desperately?

Charles remembered a moment downstairs at Manfred’s apartment when she clung to him, asking, "If one day I’m gone, what will you do?"

His answer was unwavering — to stand by her in life and death.

Was that why she risked everything to escape him?

If so, he could never forgive her.

That infuriating woman — Charles, who could command storms and tides, couldn’t even save the woman he loved most.

She had tried to deceive him, hiding alone in some remote place to lick her wounds, and it had nearly broken him.

But now that he had found her, Charles told himself — it was not too late.

"She suffered a brain injury ten years ago, leaving a residual blood clot that has caused complications leading to blindness. If she doesn’t undergo surgery soon, her life could be in danger."

Manfred’s voice was heavy with sorrow and helplessness. Every word he spoke struck Charles’s heart like a hammer, tightening it with unbearable weight.

Injury from ten years ago — was it because of that fire?

He knew she had been hurt before, but never imagined the consequences would be so severe. Had he been too lenient with the punishment for the Zhong family? Letting his Janet get hurt was unforgivable!

As Manfred spoke, he felt something missing inside. He fumbled in his pocket, pulling out two cigarettes, offering one to Charles. Lighting it, he took a deep drag — but immediately started coughing violently. Charles feared he had misheard, but no, he listened carefully to every word. When the cigarette finally burned out, the redness and swelling on Manfred’s fingertips were alarming.

A hoarse, bitter laugh escaped Charles’s lips — laughing at his own slow realization. That stubborn woman, doing everything she could to escape him. Didn’t she know that if he ever found out the truth, he would only hate himself even more?

"Thank you, Manfred." Charles rarely thanked anyone, but at this moment, for everything Manfred had done for Janet, his gratitude was humble and profound. Those three words carried the weight of a mountain, more than any flowery speech could convey. His woman belonged to him alone — she didn’t need protection from anyone else.

"You owe me one. If you ever need anything, just say the word." Manfred’s promise was ironclad. He flicked away his cigarette, patted Manfred on the back, and took measured steps forward. His tall, graceful figure bathed in the golden light of sunset, steady and unshakable. Watching him walk toward Janet, Manfred finally felt a bit of peace.

Janet — just keep watching her from afar, that would be enough. He wanted her safe, healthy, and alive...

Charles reached Janet, wordlessly swept her up in his arms. Janet knew it was him, and kicked against his legs, urgently pounding his chest.

"What are you doing? Put me down!"

"What did Manfred tell you?" Charles’s voice was serious and commanding as he buckled her into the passenger seat of his sports car, then sat beside her, arms wrapped firmly around her.

"Janet, from this moment on, you do exactly as I say."

There was no room for negotiation in his tone — it was an order.

"What are you planning? Where’s Manfred? Where are you taking me?" Janet’s hands reached instinctively for the car door, but Charles was faster, locking it before she could open it.

"Shut up. Your mind is only allowed to think about me." Charles punished her with a biting kiss on her soft lips. When he met those unfocused eyes, his heart clenched again. Why had he never noticed before that her gaze had lost its sparkle? He had thought she no longer cared for him — but he never guessed...

"Why did you come back? Why..." Janet whispered, her breath filled with his scent. She had fought so hard to break free from him, and now everything had come full circle. What was she to do? What were they to do?

"Janet, without my orders, you’re not allowed to die. Do you hear me?" Charles’s domineering voice whispered fiercely in her ear, like a savior wielding absolute power. He released her gently and started the engine. The car moved forward slowly.