Chapter 4
After being discharged from the hospital, April stormed into the Sheppard residence, grabbed a baseball bat, and started smashing everything.
"Mrs. Sheppard, please stop!" the maids shouted.
It wasn't until Julian's study was left in utter chaos that April finally felt a sense of relief.
Then she headed to the bedroom to pack her belongings.
Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind her. "Ms. Wynn."
It was Hannah.
She leant casually against the doorway, looking nothing like her usual fragile self.
April eyed her warily. She'd always known Hannah wasn't nearly as delicate as she let on.
"What are you doing here?" April asked.
"I wanted to thank you," Hannah said. "If it weren't for you, I never would've realized Julian still has feelings for me."
April clenched her fists, trying to keep her cool. "Get out."
Hannah covered her mouth and chuckled, smugness shining in her eyes. "Honestly, I wasn't so sure at first. After all, you're classy and stunning.
"But..."
Hannah paused, her eyes gleaming with triumph and delight.
She went on, "On your wedding night, Julian flew overseas to see me. He held me and cried the whole night through.
"That night, I knew for sure. Even though you're drop-dead gorgeous, the one he really loves is still me."
A loud buzzing rang in April's ears, and something deep inside her crumbled completely.
Julian had indeed been absent on their wedding night, and to make amends, he'd gifted April an entire island.
Hannah enjoyed the sight of April falling apart, filled with unbridled delight.
'I might not measure up to April in any way, but who cares? The guy April can't win over has me in his heart,' Hannah thought.
She smiled, "If you still don't buy it, why don't we make a bet?"
She pulled out a necklace and leaned against the balcony railing.
"Look familiar? This means a lot to you, right? I dug it out from your room," Hannah said in a bewitching tone.
April's breath hitched, her gaze locked on the necklace swaying in Hannah's hand. That was her mother's.
"Give it back!" April cried, instinctively reaching out for the necklace.
Hannah grabbed her hard. "Let's bet on it: when it comes down to life or death, who do you think Julian will save?"
With that, Hannah dragged her over the balcony.
Julian walked in in time to see April lunge at Hannah, and in the chaos, the two of them went over the balcony together.
"Watch out!" Julian dashed forward, but he could only catch Hannah.
The wind roared in April's ears as she fell. When she hit the ground, it felt like every bone in her body was about to break.
Pain seared through her like fire. She lay there, feeling her life slipping away.
All she could think was, 'I'm not ready to go. This is so unfair.'
Her vision went black. As she teetered on the edge of death, her consciousness plummeted. Then, through the haze, she heard the distant wail of an ambulance.
"The patient upstairs has a broken right arm and is unconscious. The one downstairs has multiple injuries, severe fractures, and is bleeding badly.
"But we can only take one patient right now," the paramedic said, urgency in his voice.
Julian hesitated, struggling for breath.
April's survival instinct flared. She spat out a mouthful of blood and, with every ounce of strength she had left, grabbed at Julian's pant leg.
"Save me," she pleaded.
She'd caught the pain and sorrow in Julian's eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, Julian said, his voice rough. "Take the one upstairs first."
April's ears rang, a sharp pain spreading through her chest. It felt like her heart was caught in the gears of a meat grinder, crushed and twisted.
'Is Julian going to let me die?' she thought, her mind spiraling in disbelief.
All the anger, resentment, and grief from these past days hit her all at once. She couldn't hold on anymore and passed out.
*****
Pain scorched April like wildfire, tormenting her so badly she wished she could die.
Through the haze, she heard someone calling her nonstop. "April, wake up!"
The noise unsettled her mind, making it impossible to rest.
Her eyes flew open, meeting Julian's charming gaze.
"April, you're awake!" Julian's voice was full of relief.
April jerked her hand away from him, fighting through the pain as she let out a cold laugh. "What, you're glad I survived?"
Julian lowered his gaze, his voice choked with emotion. "April, don't be like this.
"It all happened so fast. I only had time to grab Hannah. Besides, you were the one who pushed her."
April closed her eyes, utterly exhausted. She didn't have the strength to argue with Julian anymore.
To Julian, Hannah was the gentlest, kindest and most pitiful girl in the world.
So naturally, everything ended up being April's fault.
As April stayed silent, Julian felt a flicker of panic.
He explained, "April, please, stop targeting Hannah. Her mom died saving me. Can't you let it go for my sake?"
A wave of utter helplessness crashed over April all at once. She raised her hand and slapped Julian hard across the face.
"Julian, open your eyes and see who's really hurt here," April snapped. "Get out! I don't want to see you."
From the next room, Hannah's whiny, coy voice rang out, "Julian, my hand hurts so much."
"April, get some rest. I'll come back to see you later," Julian sighed, then walked out.
A doctor came in and handed April a slip of paper. "Ms. Wynn, you're six weeks pregnant."