All of it, every last bit, just to save Alexis.
The betrayal crashed over me like a wave, so massive it nearly dragged me under.
The kidnapper's frenzy only intensified. "You think finding a compatible heart is that easy?! You're trying to trick me into swapping hostages so you can save this bitch. Dream on!"
Bertram's expression didn't waver. "Her heart won't keep you alive for long. But if you take her instead..." His gaze dropped to me for a fraction of a second. "You'd have leverage over the person I love. I can find you a compatible heart."
The kidnapper hesitated, suspicion flickering across his face as his eyes settled on me.
And Bertram, catching the shock in my eyes, looked away with something almost like guilt. His voice dropped to a murmur only the two of us could hear. "Prue, you've trained in self-defense. I know you can hold out until the police arrive."
I stared at him, eyes wide.
I'd already braced myself to be used as a shield. But I never imagined he'd say it to my face with such shameless audacity.
Before I could fire back a single word, the kidnapper barked his command. "Fine! Bring her over. We trade, one for one!"
Bertram pushed me forward. There wasn't a flicker of hesitation in those deep, dark eyes.
I took it all in, and a bitter laugh echoed somewhere inside me.
A sacrificial pawn who could be discarded at any moment in this game had no right to hope for even a scrap of genuine feeling.
Just as the exchange was about to happen, the kidnapper threw his head back and let out a jagged laugh.
"You'd throw away your own wife to save this bitch, and you call her the one you love? What a joke! Today, I'm killing HER!"
Before the last word left his mouth, he kicked Bertram aside and raised the knife high.
Laughing like a man possessed, he lunged for Alexis's chest.
"Alexis—!"
Bertram's pupils contracted to pinpoints. He shoved me away with all his strength and threw himself over Alexis.
And I lost my balance completely, pitching backward off the edge of the rooftop.
The wind screamed louder and louder in my ears. Above me, the man with terror blazing in his eyes for the woman he loved grew smaller and smaller, shrinking into nothing.
A single tear slipped from the corner of my eye.
Even now, all he cared about was whether my heart was still usable.
I didn't know how much time passed before I woke to the sharp sting of antiseptic.