STIGMA

"Someone help me! I'm being attacked!"

The desperate screams of Linda Harris filled the air, drawing an increasing crowd of onlookers to the scene.

Hadley Pearson was poised at the top of the staircase, her gaze fixed on Linda who lay crumpled below. A look of utter confusion washed over Hadley as she stared down at her own hands, completely bewildered.

Murmuring to herself, Hadley said, "How could this have happened..."

Why did Linda collapse so suddenly?

"What's going on here?"

With today marking the Flynn family's grand banquet, the estate was bustling with guests. Those who heard the commotion quickly encircled Linda, who was sprawled out from her fall down the stairs.

"What's going on? How did she end up falling?"

"Look up there. She..."

Struggling through her pain, Linda managed to lift her head and look up towards where Hadley stood.

It was then that the gathered crowd pieced together the apparent events.

"Hadley pushed Linda!"

"Good heavens! Hadley, regardless of your feelings towards Linda, such harshness is unthinkable! And she's expecting a child!"

"You've crossed the line!"

"No, that's not true..."

As accusations flew, Hadley's complexion blanched, and she vehemently shook her head in denial.

She tried to assert her innocence, insisting she hadn't pushed Linda.

However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Make way!"

A commanding male voice disrupted the gathering, asserting his presence authoritatively.

That voice belonged to Eric Flynn, Hadley's new husband for only a brief period.

"Eric..."

A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she turned to him for support.

Yet, as Eric's eyes met hers, they were sharp and accusing. "You hurt her!"

"I didn't!" Hadley protested, her denial forceful as she shook her head desperately. "I wasn't the one..."

"Then who did?" Eric asked, his disbelief apparent.

His look of disdain and anger was directed squarely at Hadley, his features twisted in revulsion.

"Are you suggesting Linda threw herself down the stairs? You're known to be overbearing. Haven't you been antagonizing her all this time? Must I remind you of all the incidents?" Eric continued.

Hadley remained motionless.

The severity in her husband's voice rendered her speechless.

"Ah..."

Cradling her stomach, Linda leaned on Eric, her voice faint. "Eric, it's so painful. It really hurts!"

"Linda?" Eric's grandmother, Nyla Flynn, approached, alarmed. "What has happened here?" she demanded.

"There's blood!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Look, she's bleeding!"

Beneath Linda, a crimson stain was expanding steadily.

Clutching at Eric's neck, Linda broke down in tears. "Eric! My baby! Help my baby..."

"Don't worry!"

Eric tried to reassure her, but his face betrayed his own fear as panic set in.

"We need to get to the hospital immediately!"

Swiftly lifting Linda into his arms, Eric's eyes met Hadley's with a harsh, accusing stare.

"If anything happens to the baby, you'll regret it..."

He left the sentence hanging, and then swiftly turned away, carrying Linda towards help.

At that moment, ensuring Linda and her unborn child's safety was his only concern.

Nyla looked at Hadley with a mix of disappointment and disbelief, struggling to find the words. "Hadley, how could you—"

"Nyla..."

Hadley barely started to respond when Nyla turned her back and walked away.

Suddenly, the crowd began to thin out.

Ignored by everyone, Hadley found herself aimlessly returning to her room, lost in a fog of confusion.

She waited anxiously for Eric to return. She hadn't pushed Linda and needed to clear the air with him.

As hours passed into the deep of night, Eric still hadn't come back.

As the first light of dawn crept in, sounds echoed from below.

"Eric!"

Hadley leapt from the sofa and hurried towards the door.

She paused at the top of the stairs, hesitating, as she heard his voice.

"Grandma, I want a divorce!"