Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1511

Clutching the family seal ring in his fist, Oliver turned on his heel and walked away without a backward glance.

With a gentle touch, Ian brushed Maja's hair from her sweat-dampened forehead as she lay on the ground, lost in a fitful slumber that even her dreams couldn't soothe.

His heart ached for her, and guilt gnawed at him for not being able to save her mother.

But right now, protecting Maja was his only focus.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, a rare moment of vulnerability washing over him.

Ever since they had set foot on Forbidden Island, he hadn't dared to rest, working tirelessly to convince Oliver, investigate the elders' secrets, and familiarize himself with the treacherous terrain.

He regretted dragging Maja into this mess.

The situation with Patric had spiraled beyond his understanding. He wasn't omnipotent; even he could make a mistake.

"Oliver, you've got ten minutes. If you're not back by then, I'm leaving without you," Ian said into his phone, his voice steady but firm.

"Okay," came the terse reply.

Oliver was already a good distance away, his figure gradually swallowed by the smoke and chaos of the battlefield.

Ian started the ten-minute countdown on his phone, determined to keep his promise to Oliver.

Leaning against the wall, he held Maja tightly in his arms as the seconds ticked by. Seven minutes passed without any sign of Oliver, causing Ian's brow to furrow with concern.

Two more minutes slipped away, and still no Oliver.

As the final minute approached, Ian's gaze was fixed, unblinking on the ticking clock.

He didn't know that Oliver, who had gambled everything, was now lying bloodied and broken, his body failing him.

Gazing up at the murky sky, Oliver felt raindrops kiss his cheeks. Desperately, he tried to crawl toward the rendezvous point with Ian, but could only manage to move a mere meter.

As his eyelids grew heavy, a figure approached, stopping close by. A pair of shoes came into Oliver's fading vision.

"Can you walk?" It was Ian's voice.

Oliver wanted to shake his head, but he couldn't even muster the strength to do that.

Picking Maja up, he spoke softly, "Anyone who wants to leave with me, come now. Those who wish to stay, this is your chance."

The remaining few exchanged hesitant glances. "What about Oliver?" one asked.

Ian didn't reply. Instead, he strode into the depths of the tunnel.

After a moment, the group saluted in the direction he had gone. "Mr. Raymond, until our paths cross again."

They belonged to the Porter family, and having temporarily followed Ian's command, returning would mean certain death. They were unfamiliar with the world outside; it would be a fate worse than death.

They were not like Oliver, who had the resolve to break free from it all. They only wished to protect their own small piece of territory.

Ian didn't look back, holding Maja close as he moved forward.

Meanwhile, K sat on a ship with his face growing darker by the minute. He had expected a smooth operation, but Dylan and Abner's men had arrived, and to his shock, Quentin had betrayed him.

Even if he and Quentin had never seen eye to eye, they belonged to the same organization. How could Quentin turn against him to help Ian?

It simply didn't make sense.