Too Late For Regret: My Lost Heir

The light was blinding. Seraphina threw her hand up to cover her eyes, her other arm instinctively crossing over her stomach.

Mrs. Sterling! Why are you here?

Are you here to confront the dying woman?

Have you no shame?

The questions were shouted like accusations. Microphones were thrust into her face, nearly hitting her.

Julian stood frozen by the elevator. He saw Seraphina being swarmed. He saw the fear in her posture. Instinct kicked in. He took a step forward, his mouth opening to shout at the reporters to back off.

Harper saw his movement. Her eyes narrowed.

Ah! Harper screamed.

It was a piercing shriek. She threw herself forward out of the wheelchair. She hit the floor with a thud.

My stomach! Harper wailed, curling into a ball. Julian! It hurts!

Julian spun around. He dropped to his knees beside her. Harper!

Harper pointed a shaking finger at Seraphina. She... she pushed past me... she looked at me with such hate...

It was a lie. Seraphina was twenty feet away. But the implication was clear. She caused this stress. She caused this pain.

The reporters went feral.

Murderer!

She attacked her!

Julian looked up at Seraphina. His eyes were black with rage.

Get out of here! he roared. Haven't you done enough?

Seraphina lowered her hand. She looked at the man she had loved for three years. He was cradling the woman who was faking cancer, screaming at his pregnant wife.

I was just leaving, Seraphina said. Her voice was barely audible over the noise.

She turned to go. But the crowd had surged forward, blocking her path. The reporters were pushing, trying to get a shot of Harper on the floor.

"Move!" Julian shouted. He stood up, desperate to get Harper back into the elevator. He shoved his way through the press, his shoulder leading like a battering ram.

Seraphina was in his way. She was trying to back up, but she was hemmed in by the cameras.

Julian didn't see her face. He only saw an obstacle between him and safety for Harper. He extended his arm and shoved hard to clear the path.

"Move aside!"

His hand connected with Seraphina's shoulder. It wasn't a gentle push. It was the force of a desperate man.

Seraphina gasped. The floor was polished marble. And nearby, a janitor's bucket had been knocked over in the chaos.

Her feet slipped on the wet stone.

She fell backward.

Time seemed to slow down. Seraphina saw the ceiling lights spinning. She felt gravity take hold.

Julian saw it happen. He saw her feet go out from under her. He surged upward, reaching out his hand to catch her. He was close enough. He could reach her.

Julian! Harper screamed again, grabbing his pant leg with a vice-like grip. Don't leave me! I'm dying!

Julian looked down. He hesitated. Just for a fraction of a second.

That fraction was enough.

Seraphina hit the floor.

Her lower back struck the sharp metal corner of the reception desk with a sickening crack. Then she hit the ground.

She didn't scream. She just made a soft, exhaling sound.