My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 872

The screams rose and fell in the night, sharp and desperate. Emily Blair didn’t hesitate—she sprinted straight into the surf, shoes and all, barely noticing the cold water flooding over her feet.

The ocean’s undertow tugged at her legs, but she kept her footing easily. For a child, though, it would have been dangerous—deadly, even.

There, half-submerged in the churning water, a small figure flailed, struggling to keep above the waves. As Emily drew closer, the child spotted her and, with a desperate effort, reached out a trembling hand.

Something about the boy struck her as familiar, but she didn’t pause to think. She grabbed his arm and, with a powerful yank, hoisted him out of the water and onto firmer sand.

The child erupted in a fit of coughing, sputtering up seawater, shoulders shaking violently. Emily knelt beside him, thumping his back to help clear his lungs. Under the glow of a nearby streetlamp, she finally saw his face.

Dennis Lane.

Emily’s brow furrowed in surprise. She took Dennis by the arm and guided him up to the sidewalk.

He was still coughing, voice hoarse and scratchy. “Thank you…”

Emily folded her arms, her tone calm. “Don’t play near the ocean at night. Go find your dad.”

At the sound of her voice, Dennis stiffened, glancing up for the first time. That’s when recognition dawned—and his gratitude vanished, replaced by a glare of pure hostility.

His face contorted in anger as he backed away. “You’re the bad woman! You killed my mom! You’re evil!”

Emily blinked, caught off guard by the accusation. Then, to her own surprise, she let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. So this was the child she’d just pulled out of the water?

She set her jaw. “Listen here, kid. I just saved your life. Maybe check your attitude. And when exactly did I kill your mom? Got any proof? Because if you’re just making up stories, that’s slander. I could call the police and have them deal with you.”

Dennis snorted, crossing his arms. “You can’t scare me! My grandparents told me the truth. If it weren’t for you, my mom would still be alive! It’s all your fault!”

Standing there, shivering and arguing with a stubborn kid, Emily realized how pointless this was. With a sigh, she released her grip.

“Go on, then,” she said, voice flat. “Let’s just call it—I saved an ungrateful brat tonight.”

Dennis rounded on her, shouting at the top of his lungs, “You’re the ungrateful one! The Lane family took care of you for years, and all you do is hurt people!”

Emily’s temper flared. “You little punk!”

But Dennis, sensing he’d pushed too far, turned and ran. Emily clicked her tongue in annoyance, rubbing her temples.

Just then, the middle-aged couple who had arrived with Andrew Lane came rushing over, worry etched on their faces. Spotting Dennis, they swooped him up in a tight embrace.

As soon as Dennis saw them, he collapsed into their arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Isabella’s parents clung to their grandson, hearts breaking at his tears.