Chapter 2

The cabin went dead silent. Only the growing thunder of explosions reminded everyone that danger was closing in.

Tyler surveyed the room. When he saw everyone shrink back in fear, his lips curled in satisfaction. His gaze softened as he turned to me:

"I knew you'd understand." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "That's exactly why I chose to marry you in the end. You're not like other women—you never make a scene over Paige."

"Once we're back, we'll get married right away. I'll make it up to you."

I swallowed the nausea rising in my throat and nodded with feigned shyness.

In the distance, black smoke billowed. The outlines of rebel armored vehicles were already visible.

And still Tyler stared toward the horizon, burning with anticipation—as if waiting for his salvation.

The blasts drew nearer. Every soul in the cabin had their eyes fixed on the door.

Just as several young men finally lost their nerve and prepared to rush Tyler—frantic footsteps echoed from the distance.

"Tyler! I'm here!"

Paige came sprinting toward us, breathless. She was loaded down with designer shopping bags. Fresh Chanel lipstick gleamed on her lips. Her eye makeup was immaculate—as if she were heading to a gala.

Tyler's entire demeanor transformed. He dropped the axe and rushed to pull her into a tight embrace: "Paige! You made it!"

Paige swatted him playfully: "God, I almost didn't! Good thing I'm a fast runner."

She proudly held up her haul, and as her gaze swept across the cabin, it landed on me. The corner of her mouth curled into a provocative smirk.

Tyler followed her line of sight. His expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before softening again: "Megan, Paige is here. We can take off now."

But the man with glasses had reached his breaking point.

"What the hell—look at all those designer bags she's carrying!"

"You made everyone risk their lives waiting for her so she could steal more cosmetics?!"

His words drew instant fury from the crowd.

Tyler snatched the axe off the ground and leveled it at the man's face.

"Say one more word. See what happens."

The cabin fell silent again—nothing but the man's ragged, indignant breathing.

Paige hid behind Tyler, flashing the passengers a smug grin, deliberately swinging her shopping bags.

She pressed herself against Tyler's chest, and as she passed me, whispered: "Thanks for waiting for me, Megan."

I didn't answer. Over her shoulder, at the far end of the runway, armed figures had already breached the perimeter fence.

"Rebels!"

The cabin door had only just sealed shut.

BANG!

The first bullet struck the fuselage.

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