Chapter 40: War has begun
At the sight of the President’s lifeless body, Liora, his wife, let out a strangled gasp before her knees gave way beneath her. Tyson lunged forward, catching her just in time, his arms shaking as he held her delicate frame.
Shuan rushed to help, holding Liora’s other arm, but the burden of sorrow rendered her body limp. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale, as though all the life had been sucked out from her the moment her husband dropped dead.
Seraphina fell to her knees a few feet away, her hands clawing at the floor as if trying to grasp reality itself. Her wide, tear-filled eyes stayed locked on her father’s body, refusing to blink, refusing to accept what was right in front of her. Coco had executed him—right before her eyes—and she had done nothing. Nobody had acted at all.
A shattered breath escaped her lips. "F-Father..." The word barely formed, her voice breaking into silence.
A trembling hand reached out to her—Alex. His fingers brushed against her shoulder before he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly to shield her from the cruel world that had just taken her father away. His body was stiff, his breath heavy with suppressed fury. His eyes, set upon the chaos in front of him, burned with rage as his jaw clenched tightly. Yet, his grip on Seraphina remained gentle.
Tyson stood frozen, his heartbeat pounding against his ribs. A wave of sorrow crashed into him like a merciless tide, drowning him in guilt and disbelief. The same man who had once shared quiet moments with him, playing golf and offering guidance, now lay lifeless on the ground. Cold. Motionless. Gone.
His fingers curled into fists. He had failed to protect him.
His vision blurred as he stared at the President’s body, his breath catching. A sickening hollowness settled in his chest, pressing down like an unbearable weight. He should have done something, He should have saved him.
But he didn’t. Now, the City has lost its leader.
The Rangers froze, their bodies paralyzed, their feet refusing to move. Time seemed to stand still, trapping them in that terrible instant.
The Lieutenant swallowed hard, his throat dry. General Rogers had entrusted him and Captain Barnes with the President’s protection. The Captain had fought until he fell unconscious, refusing to give in. And what have I done?