Chapter 6 The aftermath

Screams pierced the heavy silence that had descended over the Imperial Luxe Hotel like a curse. The elegant gathering had transformed into chaos. Guests who had moments ago raised glasses of champagne now gathered at the top of the grand staircase, staring in disbelief, their polished shoes clicking against marble as they edged closer for a better look.

Nathaniel tore down the stairs, his face contorted in panic as he shouted, "Estelle!" His voice cracked with desperation, arms outstretched, hoping - praying - that he could catch her. But gravity was merciless.

Estelle's body rolled to a halt near the foot of the staircase. She landed with a sickening thud on her stomach, a sharp cry escaping her lips before it was muffled by the cold marble. For a moment, all was still - and then, a dark stain began to spread down her silk gown.

A sharp gasp cut through the crowd. Estelle's trembling hand reached out feebly, fingertips brushing the floor. "Nathaniel..." she whimpered, her voice barely audible. "My baby... Nathaniel, the baby..."

As though her words slapped him back to life, Nathaniel jerked forward and collapsed to his knees beside her. He gathered her into his arms, cradling her bloodied body like fine glass.

"No, no, no," he muttered, voice hoarse. "You're okay. You're both okay. You're going to be okay..."

Estelle let out a broken sob. "It hurts... my baby... I think I lost it. Nathaniel, it's gone. It's all gone!" She curled into his chest, her body wracked with pain and grief.

Rage thundered through Nathaniel. He turned his head sharply - and saw her.

Sheryl.

Lying just a few feet away on the steps, her designer gown torn at the shoulder and blood dripping from a gash above her temple, Sheryl was barely conscious. Her head lulled to the side, vision blurred, but she could hear them. Every word. Every accusation.

Nathaniel rose, fury in his eyes. "You shameless bitch!" he roared.

The crowd recoiled. Phones were out, recording.

"You tried to kill her! You pushed her! You pushed the woman I love and my child down a flight of stairs like some deranged psycho!" he thundered. "I thought you had grown, Sheryl - I thought you were mature! But you're nothing more than a jealous little girl who throws a tantrum when she doesn't get what she wants!"

Sheryl blinked slowly, the words echoing through her fractured mind. She coughed, tasting blood, and her voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper. "So what..."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "What?"

She lifted her head weakly and growled louder, "I said so fucking what?!"

The crowd gasped again.

Bethany - Sheryl's stepsister - burst onto the scene, breathless. "Sheryl!" she cried, eyes widening in horror at the blood on her sister's head. She rushed down the stairs, reaching just in time to shield her from Nathaniel, who had raised his hand in blind rage.

"You're insane!" Bethany snapped at him, standing between them. "You were really about to hit her? What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Nathaniel stepped back, panting.

Sheryl, using Bethany's shoulder for balance, pulled herself up into a seated position. "You think I care what you believe, Nathaniel?" she said, voice dripping with venom and humiliation. "If I wanted to get rid of a mistress, I wouldn't need to push her down a damn staircase. I would do it properly. No one would stop me."

The murmurs rippled through the crowd. One woman whispered audibly, "Mistress?" Another man turned to his wife, "Wait, wasn't Estelle the ex? Then what does that make Sheryl?" Others followed with hushed judgments.

Nathaniel let out a scornful laugh, dragging his hand down his face. "Mistress?" he repeated mockingly. "The only mistress in this mess is you, Sheryl."

The guests gasped again. Phones clicked.

"You think I didn't see the way you stared at me?" Nathaniel sneered. "I told you I wasn't interested. I gave you the signs. But no - you clung to me, obsessed with being needed. I saw how useful you could be, how smart you were with your little business acumen. So I used you. I admit it. And now... I don't need you anymore. The only woman I ever wanted is back in my life - and you're just the pathetic, bitter obstacle in the way."

Sheryl's breath hitched. She flinched. But she didn't cry.

She only smiled. Bleak. Broken. "You really are a piece of shit."

The crowd turned on her then. Their murmurs weren't curious anymore. They were sharp. Cold.

"Disgusting..."

"She tried to kill a pregnant woman."

"Is this what power does to people?"

"What a homewrecker..."

Estelle groaned from Nathaniel's arms, blood still staining her hands. She grabbed a fistful of his suit, her nails leaving streaks. "She... she killed my baby. Nathaniel, she killed my baby! You can't just let her walk. You promised me! Avenge me!"

Nathaniel's jaw clenched. "Ambulance. Now!" he barked at someone. "And call the police."

Sirens howled in the distance. Blue and red lights soon bathed the hotel in color. Uniformed officers pushed through the crowd, and paramedics followed swiftly behind them.

Bethany held Sheryl close, but her body went rigid as two officers approached.

"She's injured," Bethany snapped. "She needs medical attention!"

"She's a suspect in a potential assault," one officer replied coldly. "We'll treat her at the station if necessary."

As they pulled Sheryl to her feet, she barely reacted. Her gaze was distant - as if reality had shattered and she was floating through the shards.

"You're all fools..." Bethany muttered under her breath. Then, louder, "Are you all seriously believing this circus act?! She's manipulating you all! Nathaniel, you especially - are you dumb enough to take a thief's word over the woman you've known since college? She played you!"

Nathaniel didn't even glance at her. He was focused on Estelle, now on a stretcher, groaning in pain.

Bethany turned to Sheryl, whispering, "They don't know you're my elder sister. But don't worry. I'll fix this."

Sheryl gave a hollow laugh. Her blood-stained lips curled into a vicious smile. "Don't bother. If this is what love looks like... I hope they both fucking die."

The officers froze.

Bethany's eyes widened in horror.

But Sheryl didn't flinch. Didn't blink.

She smiled as they cuffed her wrists and led her out into the flashing lights.

And inside the grand Imperial Luxe Hotel - among shattered champagne flutes and the echoes of betrayal - the real game had only just begun.