Ties That Bind Us

I heard it again—the beeping, echoing from the machine. My gaze shifted to the lady in scrubs, her expression filled with concern. It could be the news she held or perhaps this unknown room itself.

"Miss Russel," she uttered, her tone unsure, causing my stomach to tighten.

“Yes?" I inquired, a sense of unease settling in.

Something felt off, terribly wrong.

Her trembling hand rested on my shoulder. "I'm sorry to tell you, Miss Russel. You've lost your child."

The words hit me like a punch to the heart.

What?

I didn't have the chance to react to what she just said when ...

Suddenly, the door of the room burst open, and HE walked in, his arctic eyes as cold as ever, devoid of any emotion.

"Leave," he spoke, waving his hand.

As the nurse quietly exited the room, I found myself recalling everything.

Second by second, moment by moment.

Amid THIS tragic moment, a realization struck me.

Every story has a villain, and in mine, I never imagined that the villain would be none other than the brother of my to-be-fiancé.

I remember the precise moment when my world fell apart. It was the moment when everything crumbled, leaving me feeling lost and unsure of where I belonged.

It all began when my boyfriend's brother aimed a gun at him.

Michael Salvatore and I had been dating for a year, every day, every hour, and every second of my life in this last year after losing my parents in a car crash, he was there for me. He was that pure soul who stood by me, no it’d be least to say that, he didn’t just stand; he carried me all the way. He carried me through my loss, through my pain; and I couldn’t just love him enough for that.

And here we were, in his lake house where we first kissed.

Ever noticed those photos where everything fades away, leaving only the person in sharp focus?

Right now, that was him.

Every bit of the surroundings melted into a blur as my attention fixated on him. His sleek raven hair, those inviting warm eyes, and the gentle curve of his smile—all crystal clear. And then there it was, a tiny blue velvet box cradled in his hand.

“What…” a gasp escaped my lips as I watched him gracefully drop to one knee.

“Dr. Alina Russel,” he uttered, his eyes shining, and mine, welling up with tears.

Could this really be happening?

Oh my gosh!

"You've been my saving grace, bringing light to the darkest corners of my heart," he said, squeezing my hand for reassurance, "- and I can't hold back any longer. I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives."

He opened the box, unveiling a stunning diamond ring. Taking it out, he held it up in front of me.

Overwhelmed, I instinctively stepped back, my hands flying to cover my mouth.

"Oh, Michael..."

He extended his hand toward me, his eyes searching mine intensely. "Alina Russel," he uttered with a hint of nervousness, "Will you marry... Adrian?"

Confused, I furrowed my brows. "What?" I chuckled, not expecting such a question.

"Adrian, what's going on?" Michael rose, his gaze fixed behind me.

I spun around, only to find Adrian, Michael's younger brother, aiming a gun in our direction. The smile that adorned my face just

moments ago vanished.

My body froze with fear.

"Adrian, what the heck are you doing?" I demanded, "Where did you get this gun?" I asked, fear creeping into my voice.

Michael moved silently from behind me and took his place beside me. "Brother? Is this some kind of sick joke?" he chuckled nervously.

"This is on you, Mike," Adrian's voice was steely, accusing. "YOU did this!"

"Adrian, just lower the damn gun, whatever's eating at you," I urged, stepping towards Adrian, desperation in my voice. "You and Mike can sort this out."

"STAY BACK!"

He forcefully shoved me away.

"Adrian! What the hell?!" Michael shouted, sprinting towards me. He caught me just in time.

Grabbing Michael by the collar, Adrian snarled, "You thought I wouldn't find out?!" and flung him harshly onto the ground.

"I can explain, I-"

BAM!

A sudden explosion shattered the silence, freezing time in its tracks. My heart pounded, and my limbs quivered in shock as the deafening gunshot reverberated through the air.

What just happened?

Is this some nightmare?

Michael's tall figure jerked violently, a cascade of his dark hair falling across his forehead. His charcoal eyes widened in a mix of surprise and pain, and for a moment, just a moment, I thought, this was all a part of his prank.

But when his strong frame crumpled to the unforgiving pavement, a pool of crimson spread around him like a grotesque halo. My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in horror.

Time blurred, and the world became a hazy backdrop as I rushed to his side, my knees hitting the ground with a thud.

"No-no-no ..."

My trembling hands reached for his neck, desperately seeking a pulse, any sign of life. But there was nothing. His body lay cold, his eyes vacant.

He was gone.

"No, no, no, Michael!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking with anguish. I cradled his lifeless form, feeling the warmth draining away as his once vibrant eyes stared into an abyss.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I clung to his lifeless frame, my fingers curling around his blood-stained shirt.

"Mike … baby … wake up! PLEASE!" I cried desperately, my voice breaking.

But he lay motionless, his eyes fixed in an eternal stare. I felt the weight of his absence settle into my bones, and the pain of loss cut through my heart like a knife.

"MIKE! WAKE UP!"

Suddenly, a cruel grip yanked me away from Michael's side, and I shrieked, "No, let me go! Michael!" My fingers held onto his bloody shirt in a futile attempt to hold on.

Adrian's imposing figure loomed over me, his face devoid of any empathy.

His eyes were cold and unfeeling as he callously declared, "He's gone," his voice dripping with icy detachment.

"Leave me alone, you monster!" I wailed, my fingers desperately clawing at the ground as he forcefully dragged me away.

"Why? Why did you do this?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the desolate space. I thrashed against his unyielding grip, beating my fists against his chest. "He was your brother! Why?!"

But, this monster remained silent, his face cold and unmoved. He continued to pull me away, his stoic demeanor infuriating me even more.

"Answer me! Why?!" I sobbed; my words choked by grief.

He signaled his men to take Michael's lifeless body away, and the sight of them handling his lifeless form intensified the agony within me.

"No, please! Don't take him away! Don't take him away from me!" I pleaded; my voice reduced to desperate sobs.

As they carried Michael away, my world blurred into a haze of pain and disbelief.

Adrian's grip tightened as he restrained my violent outbursts, but I couldn't be contained. "You monster! Why? Just TELL ME!" I screamed.

As my vision blurred, tiny dots appeared in my vision, an unsettling sensation gripped my abdomen. I clutched it tight, but it was as if a profound void had opened within, a weight dropped from the very core of my being, I sensed something slipping away from between my legs – a liquid.

“You killed him …” my voice came out in labored breaths.

“… killed him …”

Finally, my vision blurred, and my knees gave way as unconsciousness threatened to consume me. It all felt like a nightmare. I was so happy just a while ago, and in an instant, everything was just gone. The world spun, and I crumbled into the arms of the person who had mercilessly stolen my boyfriend away.

.

.

And just like that, in a single night, I lost not only my future fiancé but also our unborn child. The one responsible for their deaths now stood before me, shamelessly.