CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: THE DIFFICULT ROAD TO ESCAPE (2)

Her lower abdomen began to ache. "Ugh..." Sienna Johnson let out a low moan. She tried to suppress it, but the pain was too intense, and she couldn’t help but cry out.

"Mai!"

Kiki quickly turned around and saw Sienna huddled on the backseat, looking vulnerable and pitiful.

To make Sienna more comfortable, they had bought an inflatable mattress and covered it with a soft blanket. However, they hadn’t anticipated how rough the mountain road would be, and Sienna was still suffering.

Her small face, peeking out from her black coat, was furrowed and deathly pale, devoid of any color. It was evident she was in great discomfort.

"Mai, what’s wrong? Are you in a lot of pain?" Kiki asked, her gaze fixed on Sienna’s pale face, her worry palpable.

This journey had been full of rushing and jolting, and Sienna was pregnant. How could she possibly endure such an ordeal?

"Mai, if we had known, we would have waited for you to give birth before we fled."

Sienna smiled bitterly. "Having a child would make escaping even more challenging. If I get sick, I can endure it. But what if the child gets sick? How could I bear to leave my child with Adrian Desmond?"

"But in your current state... I’m really worried..." Kiki trailed off, not daring to voice her fears about the baby.

Sienna looked up at Kiki, nodded weakly, and said, "I’m fine. Let’s keep going."

"Just hold on a little longer; we’re almost there," Lucas Robertson said.

Sienna just nodded. "Okay."

Up ahead was a large pothole. The light was poor, and Lucas didn’t see it in time. The car plunged into it, and a violent jolt rocked the vehicle. Sienna cried out in pain. The dull throb in her lower abdomen intensified sharply.

"Lucas, could you please slow down? I... I don’t feel very well..." she stammered, clutching her lower abdomen.

"Lucas, slow down!" Kiki immediately ordered.

"Alright!" Lucas responded.

"Thank you," Sienna said, leaning back and offering him a weak smile.

"No need for thanks. You saved my life. I’m helping you escape; you don’t owe me anything," Lucas replied, his tone icy.

"Exactly! Mai saved your life. You should be at her beck and call for the rest of your days!" Kiki remarked bluntly.

"My business with Miss Johnson is none of your concern," Lucas retorted coldly.

"Please, stop arguing," Sienna interjected.

"Fine. For your sake, I won’t stoop to his level," Kiki said.

Lucas remained silent.

The heavy rain hadn’t stopped, and road conditions alternated between bad and worse.

The Land Rover Sienna had bought was designed specifically for such wild and rugged terrain. Any other vehicle would likely have broken down by now.

However, after such a long drive, and having been battered by falling rocks, the vehicle probably wouldn’t be drivable once they got off the mountain.

"Lucas, how much longer until we reach the Border Inspection Station?" Kiki asked.

Kiki also felt awful; the car’s jostling made her nauseous. If I feel this bad and I’m not even pregnant, she thought, how much worse must it be for Mai, who’s pregnant and sick?

"Mai, are you okay?"

"I can still bear it."

In this desolate wilderness, even if they couldn’t bear it, they had to. There wasn’t even a place to stop and take shelter from the rain.

They had chosen this route specifically to avoid Adrian Desmond. Few people ever traveled this way. Even if Adrian discovers I’ve fled, he’d never imagine we’d take this treacherous, godforsaken road, Sienna thought. At her core, Sienna Johnson was a gambler, and now, she was betting her life.

The worst stretch of road featured a large, deep mud pit where the wheels just spun, unable to find traction. Everyone except Sienna—even Kiki—had to get out in the pouring rain to push.

"Listen for my command. When I shout ’push,’ you slam the gas pedal, got it?" Lucas instructed Sienna, who was now in the driver’s seat.

"Understood."

As the only man, Lucas naturally got out to push. Sienna took his place behind the wheel, while he and Kiki positioned themselves to push from the rear.

"PUSH!"

Sienna slammed the accelerator as they pushed, but the car’s wheels just spun in the mud. Watching Kiki strain with all her might, Sienna’s vision blurred with tears. Such a delicate girl... If she hadn’t come with me, she wouldn’t be in this mess. Maybe I was wrong. I shouldn’t have brought Kiki.

The engine roared, and finally, the wheels clawed their way out of the mud pit. Caught off guard by the sudden lurch, Kiki stumbled and fell face-first into the muck, emerging completely covered, her features almost unrecognizable.

"PUSH!" Lucas shouted again.

It took several more attempts like this. By the time the car was finally free of the massive mud pit, both Lucas and Kiki were drenched to the bone, their trouser legs heavy with mud and water.

"PTOO! PTOO!" Kiki spat mud from her mouth.

Seeing Kiki’s bedraggled state, Lucas couldn’t help but let out an unkind laugh.

Kiki planted her hands on her hips, glaring. "What are you laughing at? What’s so funny? Laugh again, and I’ll sew your mouth shut!"

Lucas ignored her threat and climbed back into the car.

"Kiki, get in quickly." Sienna, who had moved to the backseat, beckoned through the window. With a dark expression, Kiki climbed into the car.

"Quick, dry your hair so you don’t catch a cold," Sienna urged, offering Kiki a towel.

"Mai, you just lie down. I can manage," Kiki insisted.

Sienna was pregnant and ill; Kiki couldn’t let her exert herself.

"I’m so sorry, Kiki," Sienna whispered.

Kiki blinked, puzzled. "What are you sorry for?"

Sienna, exhausted body and soul, her lower abdomen still aching fiercely, finally broke down. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "It would have been better if you hadn’t come with me."

Kiki finally understood. "What’s there to apologize for? I came with you willingly."

"I’m just so sorry!" This isn’t melodrama, Sienna thought, I truly, deeply regret putting her through this.

"Stop overthinking it," Kiki said, trying to sound optimistic. "If you’d fled and I hadn’t come, the Sixth Master probably wouldn’t have spared me anyway. Besides, I’ve always wanted to go to Orienta. I hear Orientan men are very responsible. If fate allows, marrying an Orientan wouldn’t be so bad."

Lucas, overhearing, scoffed, "Aside from your pretty face, what else do you offer?"

"Mr. Robertson, at least I *have* a pretty face. What about you? What redeeming qualities do *you* possess?" Kiki retorted.

Lucas fell silent.

"Kiki, you’re wonderful. I’m sure many men would be eager to marry you," Sienna said, taking the towel from Kiki and gently wiping the muddy strands from her wet hair. "Where I’m from, men can only marry one woman. Kiki, I’ll help you find a man who will truly cherish you."

"Then I’m entrusting my future to you! You have to take responsibility for my lifelong happiness," Kiki declared playfully.

"Okay," Sienna promised, smiling warmly at Kiki.

I owe Kiki so much, Sienna thought, her resolve hardening. I will repay her, and I’ll make sure this kind, simple-hearted girl finds happiness. There’s nothing to be conflicted about anymore.

The most important thing now was to get out of here and return to Sileria City.

Dad, Teddy... I’m coming back.