Wagered To The Cold Hearted Alpha

Chapter 5:

“Ricard, Ricard!” Luna Rebveca screamed in desperation. This day, unimaginable for her family, has arrived. At this boiling point, both her son- and daughter-in-law were missing, and Coco was carrying the family’s heir. Her heart pounded wildly, and the stinging smoke made her eyes water continuously.

Outside, Michael had safely escaped but couldn’t rest easy. He heard Luna Rebveca’s frantic calls for Coco.

“Damn it!” Michael turned and ran back into the mansion. He couldn’t stand by and let Coco burn to death in there. Quickly, he found Luna Rebveca at the door, out of breath.

“Ma’am, where’s Coco?”

“She’s still inside. I...I haven’t found her yet!” Luna Rebveca sobbed.

There was no time to think. Michael used his wet coat to cover his nose and mouth and dashed into the flames. The sight inside was horrifying. Fire had consumed most of the rooms, and the intense heat seemed to scorch everything.

“Coco! Coco! Where are you?” Michael shouted, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames and smoke.

As he approached Coco’s room, he saw the door enveloped in black smoke. Without hesitation, Michael kicked the door open and stepped inside to search. Flames had engulfed the walls and ceiling, and the thick smoke severely limited visibility.

Michael feared Coco might still be in the room. But then, from the hallway, he heard a familiar voice—it was Coco. She had escaped her room and was trying to find a way out. Seeing Michael, she was surprised and relieved.

“Michael! I’m here!” Coco tried to shout, but her voice was weak from the smoke.

Michael rushed over and grabbed Coco’s hand. “We need to get out now!” he said, looking around for an exit.

“No, no!” Coco shook her head repeatedly.

“Are you crazy? If you don’t get out, you’ll really become roast chicken!” Michael scolded, pulling Coco along.

“But Ricard! Ricard hasn’t made it out yet!” Coco’s concern was clear. She could have escaped the fire long ago, but she had been searching for Ricard. If no one remembered Ricard, he would die for sure! Ricard was still bedridden; he couldn’t escape the fire on his own.

Coco and Ricard were married in name only, but that didn’t mean she could abandon him. Her conscience wouldn’t allow it.

“Coco, you can’t go in there! It’s too dangerous!” Michael yelled, trying to hold her back. But Coco couldn’t stay still.

“Let go, Michael!” Coco shook off Michael’s grip and ran back into the mansion, disregarding the increasingly intense flames.

The fierce fire consumed everything in its path. The once grand mansion now resembled a burning matchbox. Coco ran through each room, each corner, searching for Ricard. Her eyes stung from the smoke, her breathing became labored, but she didn’t stop. The sound of crackling fire and the creaking wood created a terrifying cacophony.

“Ricard! Where are you?” Coco shouted, her voice choked with smoke. Flames blocked Ricard’s path at the end of the hallway. Without any other choice, Coco climbed through the window to reach the opposite side of the hallway.

She climbed over the railing, gripping the scorching hot wall. The searing heat spread through her hands, but Coco didn’t give up. She knew every second was precious, and Ricard needed her more than ever.

Ignoring Michael’s calls from behind, Coco groped her way towards Ricard’s room.

“Coco!” Michael called out from behind, but Coco heard nothing but her own racing heartbeat and the roaring flames.

The intense heat made it hard to breathe. Every step felt heavier, her limbs threatening to give out. Coco coughed as she pushed forward to Ricard’s room. Reaching it, she found the door engulfed in flames. Using all her strength, Coco tried to push the door open, but to no avail. She resorted to shouting:

“Ricard! Ricard!” Coco called out in desperation.

There was no response, and Coco panicked. She searched, seeking an entrance into the room. Finally, she used a nearby chair to break the window and climb in. The smoke and flames seemed to swallow her whole. Inside, Ricard lay motionless on the bed.

“Ricard, wake up! We have to get out now!” Coco shook him vigorously.

Of course, Ricard didn’t respond.

“Ricard!” Coco tried to pull him off the bed, but his body was too heavy for her to move.

Suddenly, Ricard’s eyes opened. He looked at her for a few seconds before unexpectedly sitting up.

Coco was terrified by the sight! How could a vegetative person like Ricard open his eyes and stand up? But there was no time to discuss this. If they didn’t get out soon, the fire would consume them.

“Ricard?” Coco whispered.

Ricard didn’t respond; he simply picked her up, strong and decisive.

“What are you doing? I can walk on my own!” Coco stammered, but Ricard didn’t answer, focusing instead on getting them out safely.

Ricard carried Coco in his arms, rushing out of the smoke-filled room. The fire blazed from all directions, threatening to engulf them. Sweat poured down Ricard’s face, his eyes reddened by the flames. Coco, exhausted, clung tightly to him.

“It’ll be okay.” Ricard whispered, his voice full of determination.

They ran through the hallway towards the main door. But upon reaching it, Ricard realized with horror: someone had locked the door. He searched in vain for an alternate escape route, as flames engulfed every window and exit.

“This can’t be happening...” Coco murmured, her eyes filled with fear.

The fire burned fiercely, the temperature rising, making the air increasingly stifling.

“Ricard...what do we do now?” Coco asked weakly, her eyes brimming with fear.

Ricard put Coco down and searched for a door-breaking tool. He spotted a large wooden chair nearby. With no other choice, he used the chair to break the door.

“Step back.” Ricard said, then lifted the chair, slamming it against the door with all his might. The sound of wood clashing was grating.

His face, hands, and back glistened with sweat. Ricard kept striking the door, one blow after another. After countless attempts, the door finally cracked. Ricard pushed with all his strength, creating a small gap.

“Hurry, we need to get out now!” Ricard urgently pulled Coco, pushing her through the gap first. Then he quickly followed, using his strength to widen the gap further.

Ricard and Coco safely escaped outside.

Seeing Coco and Ricard emerge from the flames, Luna Rebveca couldn’t hold back her tears. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing like a child.

“Ricard?” Michael rushed over, supporting Coco before turning to Ricard with a look of disbelief. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Ricard, bedridden for so long, now stood before him, having escaped the fire alone.

The other workers also looked at Ricard with confusion. They didn’t know if this was a miracle or some scheme by the wealthy family they served.

“Ricard! Coco! Are you both alright?” Luna Rebveca hurried over, her voice hoarse and barely audible.

“I’m fine,” Ricard responded curtly.