Chapter 376

Two faint coughs cut through the cold wind, chilling Sophie to the bone. She shivered violently but was too frightened to look down, fearing the sounds were mere figments of her shocked state.

It was only when the coughing resumed, accompanied by nearby gasps of shock, that she pinched her palm hard enough to draw blood. The sharp pain forced a grimace, but she stifled her cry.

'He's alive! Thank goodness!'

"Soph..." Cedric's voice was a soft murmur, almost like a whisper next to her ear.

Sophie turned away to wipe her tears before facing him again.

His vulnerability was raw, his usual strength gone, his voice garbled with water still caught in his throat.

Unable to speak, Sophie watched as Cedric, despite his agony, reached out to touch her cheek tenderly with his bloodied hand. His breath was shaky as he said, "I’m sorry… Forgive my late realization… Soph, I’ve promised... in this lifetime... and even in death... I’ll never let you go."

His words trailed off as the hand on her