No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

With a scream that could shatter glass, the tension was palpable.

"Don't provoke her," the firefighter warned me again, but Conrad interrupted him.

It seemed Conrad knew Haley wasn't really out for death; she was just bluffing. So, my provocations wouldn't reach her.

Right now, her act was just that—an act, making everyone believe she was on the brink of breakdown, genuinely seeking an end.

Sure enough, after her howl, she turned her gaze to me and Conrad. "I know you think I'm just trying to scare you, that I wouldn't actually jump, just trying to squeeze money out of this. Well, today, I'll show you if I'm serious about dying or just pretending."

With those words, she stepped back further.

Watching her retreat, my heart trembled. Even if she didn't intend to jump, a misstep or loss of balance could send her plummeting regardless.

My eyes fell on her visibly pregnant belly. I didn't know how many months along she was, but Conrad and I had been apart for over half a year, so the baby must've been at least six or seven months along. She might deserve her fate, but the innocent child, who hadn't even seen the world yet, didn't.

Still, a misguided sense of mercy stirred within me. I knew sweet-talking Haley was futile, but pleading might just play into her hands.

Considering her greed, I went straight for the jugular, "Haley, you can jump now, but with everyone here as witnesses, it'll be deemed suicide. You'll gain nothing, and all this will have been for nothing, including sacrificing a man who deeply loved you."

sorrow, "I've got nothing left anyway. My

a rough time, resorting to such

if you don't want me to jump, if you're scared of me dying, then just hand Conrad over, let him marry me." Haley's words were as laughable as they were

because she was treating Conrad like an object, not a

Conrad, and she still thought

I'm not afraid

everyone could finally find peace, go their separate ways," my words, more provocative with each utterance, left the firefighters

agitated, "Felicia, you're truly vicious. I know you want me

Such a foolish notion.

was like

Conrad was now "available" after being tainted by her, I wouldn't pick him up, not

to prevent her from

foolish, I played

so go ahead and jump. Then + can reunite with Conrad, become Mrs. Wagner, enjoying the

in your wildest dreams!" Haley was, predictably, unwilling

genuinely couldn't fathom what grudge she held against

If you, Haley, truly have the