Chapter 252 The Fall

Chapter 252: Chapter 252 The Fall

Mercy General smelled of antiseptic, burnt coffee, and cold metal.

Luna Margaret lay propped against a stack of pillows, tears slipping down her cheeks and darkening the collar of her hospital gown. She clutched her husband’s hand with one hand and Alpha Sebastian’s with the other.

"Find me the best neurosurgeon in California," she pleaded. "I want the best. I’m not going to lie in this bed while everyone looks at me like I’m already dead."

"Mom, you’re not dying."

Alpha Sebastian kept his voice steady, but the dark circles beneath his eyes told a different story.

She had collapsed in her bathroom that morning. The CT scan had found a mass, and the follow-up MRI suggested a low-grade glioma, likely a Grade 2 tumor.

The doctors had explained that the real prognosis would depend on the surgery, the pathology report, and how much of the tumor they could safely remove.

Luna Margaret had heard only one thing.

Brain tumor.

Now she wanted the most famous surgeon in the state.

Dr. Sherlock Wood was the chair of neurosurgery at Mercy General and one of the best brain surgeons on the West Coast.

His team was more than qualified to handle Luna Margaret’s case, but his name carried a level of comfort no ordinary recommendation could match.

Unfortunately, Sherlock Wood had close ties to the Sterling Pack.

And everyone knew Killian Sterling had chosen Eira Crawford’s side.

Alpha Sebastian called in every favor he had left. Former Hale Group contacts tried to arrange introductions. Hospital administrators passed his messages upward. He even invited Sherlock to a private dinner through a well-connected intermediary.

The answer never changed.

Dr. Sherlock Wood was unavailable.

Finally, Alpha Sebastian went to see Dr. Emily Vale, Sherlock’s wife.

He found her outside the physicians’ lounge, still wearing her white coat. Her hair was pinned neatly at the back of her head, but the tired look in her eyes suggested she had already worked a full shift.

"Dr. Vale," Alpha Sebastian said. "Please. I need your help."

"I heard about your mother." Emily folded her arms. "But her case does not require my husband. Mercy has an excellent neurosurgery team. You should be reviewing the consent forms and discussing surgical options instead of chasing a famous name."

"I want the best for her."

"You already have the best available care."

"If Dr. Wood takes the case, I’ll give you anything you want." Alpha Sebastian’s voice had gone rough. "Name your price."

Emily studied him.

"The Wood family is not short on money, Alpha Sebastian."

Before Alpha Sebastian could answer, a nurse hurried over.

"Dr. Vale, they need you in the clinic."

Emily nodded and turned away.

Alpha Sebastian remained outside the lounge, helplessness settling over him.

He pulled out his phone and opened the old burner account he had once used under the name Finn. Only one contact remained.

Eira.

His thumb hovered over her name. He hesitated, unsure whether he should call.

"Sebastian?"

He froze.

The familiar voice came from behind him.

Serena stood a few feet away, dressed in a cream trench coat cinched at the waist, pale trousers, and simple flats. Her makeup was light, her lips touched with soft pink.

His brow tightened. "Why are you here?"

"I heard about your mother." Concern softened her face. "I came because I was worried about you. You’ve been carrying everything alone."

She reached toward his cheek.

Alpha Sebastian turned away before her fingers touched him. "I’ve been busy."

"I know." She lowered her hand, her expression flickering. "Can I see her?"

"She isn’t up to visitors."

Serena’s smile faded. "Because of me?"

"That’s not what I said."

"But that’s what you mean." Her eyes grew bright. "Am I really that toxic to your family?"

Alpha Sebastian had no answer. His mother was frightened and in pain. Isabella had already made it clear that she would never forgive Serena. Bringing Serena into that room would only make things worse.

"I’m worried the stress will affect Mom," he said. "This isn’t the right time."

Serena pressed one hand over her stomach.

"I only wanted to bring the baby to meet his grandmother. Is that so terrible?"

"Another time."

The words came out harder than he intended.

Serena lowered her lashes. "Fine. Then let me walk with you. You can’t deny me that much. Not when I’m carrying your child."

The baby.

Every time she said it, guilt tightened around his chest. He had never wanted the pregnancy, but he could not pretend it meant nothing now.

They headed toward the main atrium, where the escalators connected the hospital’s public floors.

Serena’s fingers curled against her coat.

The medication she had taken earlier had already caused cramping. She had been waiting for the right moment. She needed Alpha Sebastian to see the fall, the blood, and the terror on her face.

At the escalator, she stepped onto the moving stairs beside him.

"Sebastian."

He looked down. His attention was elsewhere, caught between his mother’s surgery and the impossible task of persuading her to accept another surgeon.

Serena rose onto her toes and kissed him.

His eyes widened.

He pushed her away on instinct.

"Serena, what are you doing?"

She stumbled backward.

For one sharp second, she caught the rail.

Then she let go.

She fell against the moving steps. Her body struck the metal edges as she tumbled downward. By the time she reached the bottom, she lay crumpled on the landing.

"Serena!"

Alpha Sebastian raced down after her, his face turning white.

"I barely touched you," he said, horrified. "I didn’t mean to..."

A dark stain spread across the front of her cream trousers.

Serena reached between her legs with shaking fingers. When she pulled her hand back, it was covered in blood.

A scream rose from the nearby waiting area. Someone shouted for a nurse.

Serena stared at the red on her palm.

"The baby," she whispered. "My baby..."

Alpha Sebastian bent down, scooped Serena into his arms, and ran. Blood soaked through her clothes and smeared across his shirt. Her skin felt cold despite the feverish flush on her face. Her teeth chattered as pain twisted through her body.

"Stay with me," he said. "Serena, keep your eyes open."

She made a weak sound against his chest.

Orderlies met him outside the emergency treatment area. As they transferred Serena onto a gurney, she caught Alpha Sebastian’s sleeve with trembling fingers.

"Sebastian," she whispered.

Her voice was weak, but the nurses nearby heard every word.

"Did you really hate this baby that much?"

The nurse beside her went still.

Alpha Sebastian opened his mouth, but no explanation came.

The doors swung shut, cutting him off from Serena.

He remained in the hallway with blood covering both hands and the front of his tailored shirt. His arms hung uselessly at his sides. He could not seem to make them move.

He had never wanted the child.

But not like this.

Never like this.