Elise stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the blazing wreckage.

They weren't emerging.

Why weren't they emerging?!

Inside the mangled vehicle, Patrick stared in disbelief as William returned for him.

The entire car could explode at any moment, yet he had come back anyway.

They weren't close enough for such selfless bravery—clearly, William was doing this for Elise.

William truly loved that woman—more deeply than Patrick had ever imagined.

The flames intensified, their scorching heat now penetrating the car's interior.

"Aren't you afraid to die?" Patrick couldn't help asking William.

William remained silent.

Patrick nodded in understanding. "I suppose it makes sense. If you die for her, she'll remember you forever."

"I don't need her remembrance—I just can't bear to see her grieve," William retorted coolly, though his breathing was labored. "No time to check for embedded debris. I have to get this door open now or we're finished."

"Understood." Patrick nodded—there were no alternatives left.

Meanwhile, the driver in the front seat finally managed to free himself.

Like the others, he was battered and bleeding profusely.

"I'm out!" he shouted—despite the imminent danger, he didn't flee but instead asked how he could assist.

"Get outside and pull this door!" William instructed him.

"Right!" The driver slammed against his own door, forcing it open before scrambling to Patrick's side.

The fire continued to spread, singeing the driver's clothes. He only bothered to pat out the flames when the pain became unbearable.

"The fire's getting worse!" he cried out urgently. "We need to get out now!"

"Put both hands on the door and pull when I count to three. Understand?!" William commanded.

"Got it," the driver replied, immediately positioning himself.

Inside, William braced his foot firmly against the door and shouted, "Three, two, one!"

The driver pulled with all his might while William kicked the door with every ounce of strength he possessed!

The entire vehicle shuddered violently, but the door remained firmly sealed, trapping Patrick inside.

"Again!" William yelled to the driver. "Keep pulling until I tell you to stop!"

"Okay!" The driver strained again, pulling with desperate strength while William continued kicking the stubborn door.

Suddenly, flames began licking into the car's interior...

Elise's vision blurred, the fire before her eyes merging into a hazy inferno.

She watched helplessly as the car shook violently amid the growing flames, yet no one emerged.

Why?

Why were they still trapped inside?!

She felt on the verge of complete mental collapse.

She was the one who had told William to save Patrick, to risk his own life.

If he died... she would follow him into death.

But just as she took a step forward...

Boom!

The car suddenly exploded. Elise was close enough to be struck by the powerful shockwave, the intense heat hitting her face directly and throwing her backward.

"No!!!" she screamed, watching in horror as the burning vehicle was completely consumed by the raging inferno!