Ling scooped Rhea up into her arms the moment the door was fully open.
No hesitation. No discussion.
Rhea's body was light—too light—and that alone cracked something ugly inside Ling's chest. She held her tight, one arm under Rhea's knees, the other braced around her back, pulling her against her chest like possession was the only thing keeping her alive.
"Car," Ling snapped, voice hoarse. "Now."
Rina had just reached the corridor, eyes widening at the scene. One look at Rhea's color—pale, lips faintly blue, lashes fluttering weakly—and she was already turning, barking orders into her phone.
"Driver, get the car to the service exit. Now."
They moved fast.
Ling didn't feel the cold anymore. Didn't feel her bleeding knuckles or the ache in her bones. All she felt was the terrifying slack weight in her arms and the uneven rise and fall of Rhea's chest.
The car door was flung open before they even reached it.
"Open the back," Ling said sharply.
The driver did immediately.
Ling slid into the back seat first, turning sideways so she could keep Rhea cradled fully against her. She didn't put her down. Wouldn't. Rhea stayed in her arms, head tucked under Ling's chin, breath warm—or trying to be.
Shyra climbed in beside them, crowding close without asking, one hand immediately going to Rhea's wrist, fingers pressing lightly to check her pulse. Her face was tight, focused, but fear flickered through her eyes.
Rina got into the passenger seat, already on the phone again. "Nearest hospital. No delays. Hypothermia, possible shock."
"Drive," Ling snapped.
The car lurched forward.
Rhea shifted weakly, a small, broken sound escaping her throat. Her head rolled slightly against Ling's shoulder.
Ling's breath hitched.
"No," she whispered, panic surging back full force. "No—stay with me."
Tears spilled again, hot and unstoppable, dropping onto Rhea's hair, her cheek, her collarbone. Ling tightened her arms instinctively, rocking her slightly despite herself.
"Rhea," Ling said urgently, lowering her face close. "Hey. Look at me. Don't you dare fade out now."
Rhea's lashes fluttered. Her lips parted, but no words came.
Shyra swallowed hard. "She's slipping," she said quietly, not accusing—just stating fact.
Ling shot her a glare sharp enough to cut. "I know."
She cupped Rhea's face again, thumbs rubbing warmth into her cheeks, breath brushing over her lips. "You don't get to sleep," Ling scolded harshly, voice shaking. "You fought me in the freezer. You don't quit in the car."
Rhea's breathing stuttered.
Ling felt it immediately.
Her composure shattered.
"Hey—hey—no," Ling begged now, pride gone, voice raw. "Stay awake. Talk to me. Insult me again."
She kissed Rhea's lips again, not caring who saw, holding the kiss longer this time, breathing warmth into her, like she could force life back through sheer will.
"Same idiot," Ling whispered brokenly, echoing Rhea's words with a faint, hysterical smile. "See? I didn't change. I'm still here doing stupid things for you."
Rhea's fingers twitched faintly against Ling's coat.
Ling noticed instantly.
"There," she breathed, hope flaring painfully. "That's it. Hold on."
Shyra leaned closer. "Rhea, you hear me? We're in the car. We're going to the hospital."
Rhea's eyes opened a fraction. "…Ling… crying…"
Ling laughed weakly through tears. "You're observant even half-dead. Incredible."
She pressed her forehead against Rhea's. "I'm allowed," she said quietly. "You scared me."
Rhea's eyes drifted again.
Ling panicked immediately. "No—no—no—stay—"
She tightened her hold again, arms locked, body curved protectively around Rhea like she was shielding her from the world itself. Her tears kept falling, soaking into Rhea's hair.
"I'm here," Ling whispered over and over. "I'm not leaving. I won't fly away. I won't run. I swear—just don't you dare disappear on me."
Rina twisted in the passenger seat, eyes flicking back briefly. "Five minutes," she said firmly. "Hold her."
Ling nodded once, jaw clenched, eyes never leaving Rhea's face.
"I've got her," Ling said hoarsely.
The car sped through the city, siren wailing now.
Rhea's breathing was still shallow. Still fragile.
Ling kept talking nonstop—scolding, pleading, lying, confessing—her lips brushing Rhea's temple, her cheek, her mouth, refusing to let silence take over.
Because silence meant losing.
And Ling Kwong—cold, dominant, obsessive—
was breaking apart in the back seat of her own car,
holding the woman she hated and loved with the same terrifying intensity,
refusing—absolutely refusing—
to let her slip away.
It happened all at once.
One second Rhea was shivering weakly in Ling's arms—breathing thin, lashes fluttering, barely holding on—
And the next—
Nothing.
No shiver.
No breath hitch.
No reaction.
Her body went completely limp.
Ling felt it immediately.
"No—" she whispered first, like denial could stop reality. Then louder, shaking Rhea hard now. "No, no, no—Rhea, wake up."
Rhea's head lolled uselessly against Ling's shoulder.
Her lips were pale. Too pale. Her chest barely moved—if it moved at all.
Ling snapped.
"STOP THE CAR," she screamed at the driver, her voice tearing itself apart. "GO FASTER—DO YOU HEAR ME? GO FASTER!"
The driver flinched, foot slamming harder on the accelerator, knuckles white on the steering wheel.
Ling shook Rhea harder now, panic obliterating all control. "Wake up! Wake up—don't you dare do this to me!"
No response.
Shyra sucked in a sharp breath, fear flashing across her face. "Ling—her feet—"
She didn't wait for permission.
Shyra bent down quickly, hands shaking as she pulled off Rhea's stilettos, one then the other. The shoes dropped uselessly to the car floor. She touched Rhea's feet through her stockings and recoiled slightly.
"They're freezing," Shyra said urgently. "They're ice cold."
Ling looked down.
Really looked.
Rhea's feet were pale, almost bluish, unmoving. No reflex. No twitch.
Something inside Ling broke completely.
"No," she whispered hoarsely. "No. She's just tired. She's always tired."
Her hands were trembling so badly she could barely hold Rhea's face anymore. She pressed her forehead against Rhea's, breathing frantically into her mouth, rubbing her arms violently.
"Rhea," Ling begged openly now, voice shredded. "Please. Please don't do this. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean any of it."
She slapped Rhea's cheek—harder this time. "Wake up!"
Nothing.