dizzying blur of motion and pain as she fell down the long, winding stai

. Blood. It pooled around her, staining t

n, landing theatrically beside her. Katia' s

es now," Katia whispered

ale with shock. He saw Esther, lying in a pool of

ond, he moved t

mbling. "She pushed me! I' m so sorry, I tried to

orm to Katia' s tear-stained face. The momentary conce

ver Esther without a second glance. He knel

e asked, his voic

tting on a brave face. "You shou

closer, and without another look at his bleeding

d them go. A strange, broken sound bub

tears came, hot and bitter, ming

nee was treated like a mortal wound. N

erly, devastatingly foolish. A ma

thing she saw before she lost consciousness was the p

mell of antiseptic filling her nostr

indow, his back to he

e asked the doctor w

not sure what you're talking about. Regarding the pregn

he final blow had to come from her. She knocked a glass

, his gaze falling on her. The brief flicker of co

is voice low and venomous. "You

imperceptible shake of her head. The doctor, seein

an discuss this later," the doctor said,

were

ld fury. "Katia is so kind, so forgiving. And you..

n," Esther said, her

s a delicate flower. She wouldn't hurt

her said, her voice gaining stren

. But then his jaw tightened. "I don't need to check any camer

oorway, limping dramatically, her

ng his arm. "It was my fault. I shouldn' t have

ling her into a protective embra

ulder at Esther, his eyes f

s voice dripping with menace. "You' re o