His voice was so casual,so infuriatingly calm.But the words I had heard at the hospital were still pounding in my ears like thunder.
My hands curled into fists.I opened my mouth,but my throat tightened and no words came out.
Then—
"Ugh!"
Winona doubled over,clutching her stomach.She gagged violently.I instinctively reached out to steady her—then stopped myself just short.
She caught her breath and looked up at me weakly.
"I’m sorry,Meredith,"she murmured."I’m pregnant too.Just feeling a little off today."
Lennon rushed to her side,gently supporting her as he patted her back with tender care.
"You’re pregnant too?"he asked gently."Come on,let me take you upstairs.I’ll get you some water to help you feel better."
Winona nodded weakly,looking pale and fragile.
As they ascended the stairs,she turned her head and gave me a smug,knowing smile—a smirk sharpened by triumph.
The door closed behind them.
A few moments passed—and then I heard it.The sound of water running.Labored breathing.Groans muffled behind the closed door.
I stood there,paralyzed,unable to move or breathe,like something was wrapped tightly around my throat.
Half a minute passed.
Then the door flew open.Winona stepped out,cheeks flushed,lips curved in a satisfied smile.
She walked past me slowly,wearing a satisfied smirk—like a victor flaunting her prize.But just as she passed the top step,a sharp scream cut through the air.
Startled,I spun around in shock.
Winona—who had been perfectly fine seconds ago—was now tumbling down the stairs,crashing step by step.Her screams echoed through the house,sharp and piercing.
She hit the floor with a sickening thud.Her face and hair were streaked with blood and the sunglasses she wore had shattered on the marble tiles,shards sparkling like broken crystal.
I stood there in shock—completely frozen.
Before I could even process what had happened,Lennon burst through the bedroom door and sprinted downstairs.
He rushed down the stairs and dropped to his knees beside Winona,his usually composed,obsidian-like eyes now filled with panic and fear.
"Winona!Are you okay?Please don’t scare me!"
His hands trembled as he fumbled to call 911.
Winona,barely conscious,lifted her bloodied hand and shakily pointed at me."Mr.Shepherd…I don’t understand…why did your wife push me?Does she want me dead?"
"It wasn’t me!"I shouted,stunned."I didn’t even touch her!She fell on her own—"
Slap!