I heard her footsteps, light, calculated. She threw herself down the stairs too, landing beside me like she was part of the tragedy.
In the kitchen, I heard Dominic shout, the fridge door slamming. He came running. I saw him freeze when he saw us.
“Lory!” He rushed straight to her. Not me. Her.
He grabbed her, checking her ankle, his hands shaking. “Where does it hurt? Tell me where it hurts?!”
“I’m… I'm fine,” she said weakly, playing her part so well. “Please… check on Rosie.”
He didn’t move. He just looked at me like he’d only now noticed there was someone else on the floor.
And then Loriana went limp in his arms.
“Lory!” he shouted. Panic in his voice. Real panic.
He picked her up like she was made of glass and ran out the door, calling for the driver. He didn’t even look back.
Didn’t even see the blood still dripping from me.
I lay there, the world spinning, and the last thing I saw before everything went dark was the fridge door, still open and inside, a small white box. I smiled bitterly.
....
When I woke up, everything was bright and cold. White walls. The sound of machines.
A doctor was standing over me, checking something on a clipboard.
Dominic was there too, standing by the bed. He spoke first. “How’s the baby?” His voice shook just a little.
The doctor blinked, confused. “The baby?” He looked up, his eyes flicking between us. “Mr. Faviano… the pregnancy was already termi—”
“W-water… water.”
The moment I woke up, my throat was dry and my chest felt like someone had dropped a stone inside it.
“Rosie!”
Dominic was at my side in seconds, “Rosie, baby, you’re awake? Does it hurt anywhere? Tell me, please.”
I just stared at him. My lips moved, but no sound came out. Then I shook my head, slow and weak.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the doctor stiffen. He looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t dare. I knew why.
Dominic turned to him, still holding my hand, “Doctor, what were you saying earlier? I didn’t quite hear it.”
The doctor hesitated. His mouth opened, but I gave him a tiny shake of my head. Please. Don’t.
He pressed his lips together, exhaled quietly, and said, “The patient needs rest. No more stress for now.” Then he walked out and left us alone.
The room went silent. Only the sound of the air conditioner filled the space.
Dominic looked at me, his eyes soft, almost breaking. He reached for my cheek. I turned away.