The Substitute Bride Is Reborn and Loves Her Husband No more - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Desperate race
Her eyes snapped open, staring at him in confusion. Then, she pressed her lips together and quickly turned her gaze away.

But at least her eyes were open now.

With her gaze no longer shut, he spread her thighs, keeping his attention on her face.

Then, he lowered himself down, his lips brushing against the sensitive spot between her legs.

He heard her moan just from his kiss.

The place was already dripping, reacting to his touch.

Rolan felt a sense of satisfaction—he could still make her body respond like this. That realization made him happy.

He was happy to be her toy, to exist only for her pleasure at this moment.

Parting his lips, he let his tongue trail over her sensitive spot, pressing soft kisses against it. Then, he sucked gently, feeling her thighs tremble in response.

But he held them firmly in place.

***

Rose shoved past the tent flap. I’ll find tobi. The cold air bit into her skin, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. Tobi was still out there, lost in the forest, and every second wasted was another second he could be in danger.

“Rose!”

She heard Rolan behind her, his voice sharp with frustration. Footsteps pounded against the dirt as he chased after her.

“Stop right fucking there!” His voice was closer now, commanding, but she didn’t slow down.

“I’m not stopping!” she snapped, pushing through the thick undergrowth. “Tobi is out there!”

“You think I don’t know that? You think running around like a damn lunatic is going to help?” Rolan growled, his breath ragged as he caught up to her.

She ignored him, stomping forward.

“You’re being fucking stupid!” His hand shot out, grabbing her arm and yanking her back. “You can barely stand! What the hell do you think you’re gonna do if something actually happens?” He was sorry for her, she’s rushing into this dangerous forest

“Let me go, Rolan!” she snarled, trying to shake him off. Why was Rolan hell bent on stopping her from finding Tobi she would find him.

“Not a fucking chance.”

“He’s calling for me—I heard him!”

“You heard nothing but your own damn desperation!” Rolan’s grip was firm as he spun her around. His face was shadowed by the moonlight, his jaw clenched. “You’re exhausted, Rose! You’re running on fumes, and you don’t even realize it!”

“I’m going, whether you like it or not!” She yanked her arm free and stumbled forward.

Then she heard it.

A voice. Faint, but real.

“Mummy!”

Everything inside her froze. Her breath hitched, and she whipped her head toward the sound.

“Tobi.”

Then she ran.

“Rose, STOP!” Rolan roared behind her, but she didn’t listen. Her legs burned, her lungs screamed, but she didn’t stop.

Branches tore at her skin, but she pushed through them, panting as she chased the sound.

Then the ground disappeared beneath her feet.

A sharp gasp ripped from her throat as her body tilted forward. The next second, she was falling—plummeting into freezing darkness.

Water.

It swallowed her whole.

The icy river slammed against her like a thousand needles piercing her skin. The shock knocked the air from her lungs. She kicked, thrashed—panic clawing at her chest as the current yanked her under.

Above the surface, she heard Rolan shouting, but the water muffled his voice. Her arms flailed, desperate to find something to grab onto, but the current was too strong.

Her head broke the surface for half a second.

“Rolan—!”

Then she was pulled under again.

A powerful grip latched onto her wrist, yanking her up with brute force. She gasped as she was dragged from the water, coughing and choking, her limbs trembling violently.

Rolan hauled her onto solid ground and dropped to his knees beside her. His hands grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him.

“You dumb, reckless—” He cut himself off, breathing hard. His grip on her was tight, his hands shaking.

Rose coughed, her chest burning. “I… I heard him.”

Rolan’s jaw tensed. His hands slid down to her shoulders, gripping them hard. “You could’ve died, Rose.”

“I don’t care,” she rasped, voice raw. “Tobi is out there.”

“Then we’ll find him,” he muttered. “But you’re not running off alone again. I swear to God, bunny, if you try that shit one more time—”

He didn’t finish. He just pulled her close, his hold tight.

I’ll not let go.

his breath was warm against her wet hair.

***

Rose barely registered the way her body trembled as she staggered forward, soaked and gasping. The freezing water clung to her like a second skin, but she didn’t care. Tobi was somewhere out here. She had heard his voice. She knew it.

Beside her, Rolan cursed under his breath, shaking the water from his arms. “You better not fucking run off again,” he growled, but Rose wasn’t listening.

Her legs burned, but she forced them to move faster, slipping on the muddy bank as she climbed out of the river. Her breath came out in sharp, desperate gasps, but she kept pushing forward.

“Tobi!” she shouted, voice hoarse. “Tobi, where are you?”

The wind howled in response, rustling the leaves like a whispering taunt. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Rolan was right behind her, his breath heavy, his presence a solid force at her back. “Are you sure you heard him?” His voice was tight, edged with doubt.

“I know what I heard,” Rose snapped, shoving branches aside as she pushed deeper into the woods.

Then—

“Mum!”

Her heart nearly stopped.

“Tobi!” she screamed, spinning toward the voice.

It was faint, barely carried by the wind, but it was real. It was real.

Without thinking, she broke into a run. Her feet slipped in the mud, her lungs ached, but she didn’t slow down.

“Rose, wait!” Rolan called, but she ignored him.

Branches clawed at her arms, slicing into her skin as she shoved through the trees. Her breath came in ragged sobs, panic clawing at her throat.

Then she saw it.

A jagged rock formation ahead, half-hidden in the darkness. It jutted from the earth like a natural cave.

A small figure curled up on the stone.

Tobi.

Rose’s heart nearly exploded.

“Tobi!” she choked out, sprinting toward him.

His tiny body was shaking, his clothes torn and dirty. His face was streaked with tears, his wide, terrified eyes locking onto hers the second she reached him.

“Mama!” His voice broke as he scrambled up, his arms reaching for her.

Rose crashed to her knees and pulled him into her arms.

The world blurred.

The cold, the fear, the agony—it all vanished the second she felt his little body against hers.

He was warm. He was alive.

She sobbed, clutching him so tightly it hurt. “Oh, my baby,” she whispered, rocking him as tears streamed down her face. “I’m here. Mama’s here.”

Tobi’s tiny hands clung to her soaked clothes, his small body shaking with quiet hiccups. “I got lost,” he whimpered. “I was scared.”

Rose pressed frantic kisses to his damp hair. “You’re safe now,” she whispered. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

Rolan stood behind them, silent.

Then, after a long pause, he exhaled sharply and crouched down.

“You scared the hell out of us, kid,” he muttered, ruffling Tobi’s hair. His voice was rough, but his touch was gentle.

Tobi sniffled, his little fingers holding around Rose’s sleeve.

She buried her face in his hair, holding him as if letting go would make him disappear.

suddenly a deep, rhythmic thump of helicopter blades echoed across the sky, cutting through the eerie silence of the forest. Rose’s body tensed as the sound grew louder, the wind from the chopper stirring the damp air around them. She tightened her arms around Tobi, holding him close as her heart pounded in her chest.

A bright spotlight beamed down on them, illuminating the rocky ground where they stood. The dust and leaves swirled violently as the helicopter hovered above, its powerful presence signaling their long-awaited rescue.

Rose squinted against the light, her eyes darting toward the open side door of the chopper. Two figures leaped out, descending rapidly on harnesses. As soon as their feet hit the ground, one of them bolted toward her.

“Rose!”

The familiar voice shattered the fear that had been weighing her down.

Zara.

Rose’s throat tightened, emotions swelling inside her. “Zara!” she gasped, her voice breaking as her best friend ran toward her.

Zara didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Rose, pulling her into a fierce embrace, her hands gripping her like she was afraid to let go. “You idiot! Do you know how worried I was?!”

A shaky laugh slipped from Rose’s lips as she clung to her. “I knew you’d come.”

“Of course, I would,” Zara huffed, pulling back just enough to scan Rose’s face. Her sharp gaze flickered down to Tobi, still nestled in Rose’s arms. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine,” Rose whispered, brushing damp strands of hair from Tobi’s forehead. “Just scared.”

The man who had landed with Zara stepped forward, his movements precise and controlled. He was tall, dressed in tactical gear, with sharp eyes that assessed the situation in seconds.

Rose met his gaze briefly, but before she could ask who he was, Rolan shifted beside her.

She turned her head slightly, watching as he looked at the man.

Zara exhaled sharply and nodded toward the chopper. “Let’s get out of here.”