The 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.