But before I can reach him, before I can stop it, she explodes.
“I’llneverforgive you. Do you hear me?Never!”
And then the world shifts.
Time slows, everything stretching into a nightmare blur, as Maddie shoves him hard .
Sebastian stumbles backward. His arms flail, his eyes wide with disbelief, and then he falls.
I lunge forward, heart in my throat, but it’s too late.
He crashes down the stairs, hitting the steps with a sickening series of thuds before landing in a lifeless heap at the bottom.
The sound is burned into me. I can’t breathe.
I tear down the stairs, panic crashing over me like a wave. When I reach him, he’s unconscious. Motionless.
I drop to my knees beside him, hands trembling, vision blurred with tears. My instincts scream to hold him, but I don’t move him. I can’t risk it.
Somehow, through the fog, my mind takes over. I fumble for my phone, fingers numb, and manage to call emergency services. My voice breaks as I give them the address.
I've never been this scared in my life.
But I can't lose control. Not now. He needs me. And God,Ineed him.
I stay beside him, whispering his name, clutching his hand as if that alone could keep him tethered to me. His skin is warm, but he doesn’t stir.
Somewhere behind me, I think I hear the front door open, Maddie running. But I don’t turn around.
She no longer matters.
The only thing that matters is lying right here, fragile and still, hand in mine.
For the first time since my father died, I pray.
Not with words. Just raw, desperate pleading from the deepest part of me.
Please… don’t take him. Please. Let him stay. Let him stay with me…
CHAPTER 27
SEBASTIAN
My eyelids feel like they’re made of stone. There’s a bitter, metallic taste in my mouth, and it sounds like a battalion of screaming witches is marching straight through my skull.
Where am I? What the hell is happening?
I’m disoriented. Scared. The fog in my brain is thick and suffocating, and I have no idea which way is up. Then something tugs at my arm, and sheer panic explodes in my chest. I start to thrash, desperate to break free from whatever’s restraining me.
Until I feel a familiar touch on my cheek.
A gentle, grounding touch.
And then I hear his voice. The one voice that can cut through any storm.
“Seb… Sebastian… love, I’m here. I’m right here, baby. Don’t worry…”
Remi’s voice is shaking, but it's real. It's him. The sound of it pierces the haze, pulling me back to myself.
