Cherry kept her eyes on Gilbert as she finished securing the bandage.
Her hands were still unsteady, but she forced herself to breathe.
Gilbert noticed.
He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"All right," he said quietly.
Cherry looked at him.
"Then promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Protect yourself."
Gilbert's expression softened.
"That is what matters to me."
Cherry stared at him for a moment before nodding.
"I promise."
For the first time since they had escaped the Hidden Palace, the tension inside the car began to ease.
But the peace did not last long.
General Yu suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The military car jerked to a stop.
Cherry was thrown forward, but Gilbert caught her before she could hit anything.
"What happened?"
General Yu stared through the windshield.
His expression had changed.
"Something is blocking the road."
Gilbert immediately looked ahead.
His face hardened.
