484 Stay With Me, Winona


(Jayden)

I burst through the front door, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor. I pray I'm in time. I stop at the bottom of the attic stairs.

Then I see her.

Winona lies crumpled halfway down the attic stairs, her body twisted awkwardly. Her head jammed up against the wall, her hand rests on a spindle. Blood pools beneath her head on the stair, dark and horrifying, and for a second, I'm frozen.

My mind blanks out, every thought swept away by raw panic.

But then I snap back. She needs me. She needs me to be fully present, not panicking.

I force myself forward, the first aid kit from the car clutched in my shaking hands. Every instinct screams at me to scoop her up, to hold her, but I stop myself. If she's hurt her neck or spine... I could make it worse. My knees hit the stair below her, and I reach for her wrist with trembling fingers.

A faint pulse. Relief crashes over me so hard I almost collapse, but it's short-lived. She's alive, but for how long?

I tear open the first aid kit, my hands shaking so badly it takes me three tries to pull out a compress. Her head is still bleeding, a slow but steady seep that sends fresh waves of terror through me. I press the compress against the wound, careful not to move her. I need to stop the bleeding.

"Winona," I whisper, my voice breaking. "Winona, baby, can you hear me? Please, open your eyes. Please..."

She doesn't move. Her chest rises and falls faintly, but her body is limp, almost lifeless. My throat constricts as I clutch her hand, holding it as tightly as I dare.

"I'm here," I say, tears burning my eyes. "I'm right here. Hold on for me, okay? Hold on for the kids. Just hold on."

and desperate, and I can't stop them. I don't want to stop them. I should have said

my own damn pride and none of it matters. None of it. Lance made his own choice.

her hand, my shoulders shaking. "I love you. I love you so much, and I've been a fool not to show you that every day. I let my jealousy, my hurt, my anger get in the way of what really matters.

and the faint rasp of her breathing. The sight of her bloodied head and motionless body makes my stomach churn, but I force myself to stay calm. She needs me

I need

should've fought harder for us instead of pushing you away." My gaze drops to her stomach, the slight curve

needs you, Winona. I need you. Abby,

the fuck up

just wake up if you just hold on-I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'll show you every single day how much you mean to me." I hear sirens growing louder,

What if she doesn't wake up? What if I lose her? The thought sends fresh waves

can't lose

up the stairs.

before they even reach us. "Winona Brennan My wife. She fell around fifteen minutes ago. I've been here five minutes. I didn't move her. She's

to move so

go but I know I have

was, her movements calm and efficient. She checks Winona's pulse and nods. "You did a good job not moving her. Let's take it from

hands trembling, as they secure her neck with a brace, bandage her head and carefully move her onto a stretcher. The sight of her pale, almost lifeless form strapped in, her head wrapped in

glances at me, her expression neutral but kind. "We'll get her on fluids and check for anything obvious. We'll do everything we can.

you can guarantee you'll stay calm if anything

"I will."

follow. They begin to assess her. My hands shake as I pull out my phone, dialing

Brennan," I

firm. "My

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