“Ross,” came a soft, fragile voice from his end, “don’t be mad at her. She’s just concerned about you. This is all my fault…”
“Winnie, this isn’t on you…” And with that, the line went dead.
My hand dropped weakly, the faintest trace of bitter laughter at my lips.
Of course. How could I ever compare to his precious Winnie? Trying to hold on would only humiliate me further.
But what about my baby? My child should have been able to meet me in just two more months.
The mall incident had all been about me, orchestrated because of Ross.
The moment they grabbed me, the kidnappers slapped me across the face, twice, leaving me dizzy and disoriented.
I could just barely make out their bitter curses: “Your husband couldn’t save my wife. Do you even understand that? That so-called ‘medical genius’ – he’s a fraud!
“And I heard his family’s loaded. Kidnapping you means I can get the money I deserve for the loss he caused!”
When I realized he wanted money, a tiny bit of relief crept in.
At least that meant my baby might be safe.
But after eight calls – seven rejected, and one filled with nothing but blame and frustration – I lost all value in the kidnappers’ eyes.
I had never been more afraid.
I knelt on the floor, begging them to spare my child.
But it was no use. The knife on the table found its way to my stomach, plunging deep.
A searing pain tore through me as blood, warm and thick, spilled out.
My baby was gone, just like that.
But only that morning, my little one had been kicking inside me.
I passed out, slipping closer and closer to the edge of life.
Without my baby, I had no desire to keep fighting.
But just when I had made peace with the end, my best friend shattered the window to get to me.
She glanced down at my phone, still faintly glowing on the floor, and yelled, “Why didn’t you pick up?! If I hadn’t come, what would’ve happened to you? Were you just waiting to die?”
She lifted me, trying frantically to call Sean.
“Winnie’s in court. Do not disturb.” Those six words froze her in place.
She tried calling the police, but the signal was gone.
Dragging me into her car, she pushed on, only to run into that landslide.
Maybe it was fate. I closed my eyes, letting the world drift away...
Now, my best friend and I lay in the same hospital room.
Silence filled the space, thick and heavy.
She must have heard Ross’s outburst over the phone.