Chapter 353
Fuck!
“What the hell is happening, Noah?” Mom’s voice cuts through the chaos behind me. “A servant came running, saying someone is bleeding p>
I barely hear her because my mind is racing.
If I wait for an ambulance, it might be too late for both Sierra and the baby and if anything happens to the baby, Sierra will lose it.
“Noah…” Mom’s voice comes again, softer this time right before a shocked, sharp gasp.
“What the fuck happened?” Dad’s voice booms, his voice filling the space.
“Why don’t you ask that fucking bitch?” I snap, not even looking at Brook.
Carefully, I slide one arm beneath Sierra’s knees, the other supporting her back.
Even without seeing it happen, I know Brook did this. I know she pushed Sierra.
“Find her mother,” I say sharply, already lifting Sierra into my arms. “Tell her what happened p>
“I’ll call her,” Mom says quickly, her voice shaking. “She couldn’t make it today p>
I nod once, already moving because every second matters.
“I swear you’ll pay for this, Brook,” I say as I pass her, my voice cold, lethal. “I told you to stay away from her and you didn’t listen… You’ll regret ever touching her p>
I don’t stop walking.
“Make sure she doesn’t leave,” I call over my shoulder, tightening my grip around Sierra. “If she escapes, I’ll have your fucking heads p>
I don’t even know who I’m talking to and I don’t fucking care as long as the message is clear.
I’ll hand Brook over to the police but before that, I’ll make sure she regrets ever being born.
“Open the door!” I bark at the nearest driver. I don’t even care who he is.
The door swings open and I slide in with Sierra still in my arms.
“Drive p>
The car peels out of the driveway immediately, but I can’t rest… I won’t. Not until she’s in the hands of doctors.
“Come on, Sierra… open your eyes,” I plead, my voice breaking. “Please… just open your eyes p>
I get nothing. No movement. No response. Just empty suffocating silence.
“Faster,” I snap at the driver. “I don’t care what rules you have to break, just get us to the hospital. Now p>
“Yes, Mr. Wood p>
His voice sounds familiar, but I can’t focus on that. Not when my entire world is bleeding out in my arms.
“Say something, Si,” I whisper, the nickname slipping out without thought. “Yell at me. Threaten me. Hit me… just—just give me something p>
Again, I get nothing. Her breaths are so shallow I have to press my fingers beneath her nose just to feel them. Just to make sure she’s still here. Still with me.
I keep them there because it’s my anchor. It’s the only thing keeping me from completely losing it.
Each faint breath is a reminder that she hasn’t slipped away yet, but it’s not enough to stop the panic.
My chest feels tight, like I can’t get enough air in while my heart is racing as every second stretches into something unbearable.
I can feel her blood soaking through my pants, and that breaks me over and over again.
“Please, God…” I whisper hoarsely. “Please let her be okay p>
I don’t even remember the last time I prayed, but right now, I don’t care if I deserve to be heard… I just need Him to listen.
“We’re here, Mr. Wood p>
Relief crashes into me so hard it almost takes me down with it.
“Get the doctors,” I order, but the driver is already out, running toward the emergency entrance.
Seconds later, doctors and nurses rush toward us. The door is yanked open, and hands reach for her.
“What happened?” one of them asks as they carefully lift Sierra from my arms and onto a stretcher.
“I—I think she was pushed down the stairs,” I say, my voice rough.
Shock flashes across their faces but it’s gone just as quickly, replaced by focus.
“Prep the emergency room,” a female doctor snaps. “Get radiology ready p>
They move fast, wheeling her inside. I follow without thinking, my heart lodged somewhere in my throat. We rush through the halls and then they push her through the emergency doors.
I stop, but only because I have to. Because I can’t go any further. The doors swing shut in front of me and just like that she’s gone.
The silence hits me all over again and my legs give out. I slide down the wall, my back hitting it as my hands drag over my face.
For the first time, I don’t fight it. Tears fall freely as I bow my head, praying with everything I have left in me that they’ll both be okay.