Chapter 19
However, the momentum was too strong. Megan’s nails screeched against the railing, leaving a sharp, piercing sound.
Then, she tumbled down the stairs. All she could do was wrap her arms around her stomach to shield it.
It all happened in an instant. After Alyssa’s head collided with Selena’s, both of them fell to the floor beside the stairwell.
Howard only felt himself shove something in the chaos. The next moment, Megan was rolling down the steps. He reached out, trying to catch her, his hands closed on nothing but air.
but
The stairwell was dim. The automatic lights had gone out when no movement was detected, leaving only the green glow of the emergency exit sign casting eerie shadows.
At the bottom of the stairs, Megan forced herself upright. When she looked up, she saw Howard’s hands stretched toward her.
“Meg!” Selena’s trembling voice cut through the silence.
The lights flickered on with her shout. Pushing Alyssa aside, Selena rushed down the steps.
“Meg, are you okay?” Selena’s voice cracked. She nervously helped Megan up.
Sweat drenched Megan’s face. Her whole body ached, her limbs heavy and her head throbbing, but nothing compared to the searing pain in her stomach. It was so unbearable she nearly fainted.
“Meg…” Selena’s panic rose. She knew exactly how dangerous this was.
The doctor’s words echoed in her head. “Her head was injured in the collision. Besides the scratches, she also has a concussion. She bled a little, but the child was saved. Her condition is fragile. If she wants to keep the baby, she must stay in bed.”
Selena’s colleague had even told her that Megan begged them to save her baby during treatment. But because of her, she had tumbled down the stairs from such a great height.
Tears blurred Selena’s vision as guilt suffocated her. With trembling fingers, she fumbled for her phone.
“Meg, I’ll call someone right away. Hold on. Just a little longer.”
Megan was in so much pain that she couldn’t even speak. She could feel something flowing out of her endlessly.
Through the pain, she lifted her eyes and saw Howard. But instead of coming to her, he was helping Alyssa to her feet. Megan opened her mouth to call his name, but no sound came out.
Howard carefully cradled Alyssa in his arms as though she were the most precious thing in the world. The stairwell lights flicked off again, leaving only the glow from the hallway to highlight their silhouettes.
Tears streamed down Megan’s cheeks, her heart twisting with agony. “Howie…” Her voice was barely a whisper as she called to him when he was about to leave with Alyssa.
Howard froze, but he didn’t look back. He kept his gaze fixed on the cold, empty hallway outside.
It was late, so there weren’t many people around. The hospital was terribly quiet.
1
Howard’s chest heaved, his heart still pounding from the chaos. One moment, Megan had been standing there. The next, she was falling and his outstretched hands had failed her.
His fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms, trembling from the force.
“Howard,” Alyssa murmured beside him.
He looked down at her swollen face, her injured forehead.
He closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them again with an icy calm. “Take care of yourself, Megan
With that, he left the stairwell with Alyssa.
“Howard!” Selena’s anguished howl echoed behind him.
