Chapter 57: The Handsome Four
The atmosphere in the Shepherd household was tense, the air thick with worry and fear.
Steve and Stefan had managed to bring Mara back to the house, but her unconscious state was deeply unsettling. She lay still, her breathing shallow, and no matter what they did, she wouldn’t wake up. Steve’s usual composure was slipping, his voice edged with panic as he turned to Stefan. "Do something, Stefan," he urged, his hands trembling as he hovered over Mara.
Stefan frowned as he examined her. "I can’t make a proper diagnosis here," he said, his tone measured but urgent. "She’s not showing any clear symptoms. We need to get her to the hospital."
Steve nodded, his mind racing. "Of course. Get the car ready," he said, already moving to lift Mara into his arms. As he did, his eyes caught sight of something that made his blood run cold—a bloodstain on the bed where she had been lying.
"Stefan!" Steve yelled, his voice cracking with fear. He held Mara tightly, his heart pounding as he stared at the stain. "No, no, no... she can’t lose the baby," he whispered, his voice breaking. The weight of the situation crashed down on him. He had trusted Mara to take care of herself, to make the right decisions, but now he felt a crushing guilt. He had wanted to believe she would leave Ethan on her own, that she would see the truth without being pushed. But this—this was too much.
Stefan’s face paled as he saw the bloodstain, but he forced himself to remain calm. "We need to get her to the hospital now," he said firmly, though his mind was racing with possibilities. Blood spotting could mean many things, and he tried to stay positive, but the fear in Steve’s eyes was hard to ignore.
The two brothers moved quickly, rushing Mara to the car and speeding toward the hospital. Mr. Shepherd Sr. joined them, his usual stoic demeanor replaced by visible distress. "Hurry, oh God, please help my Stefania," he prayed under his breath, his hands clasped tightly together. Stefan, though trying to remain composed, couldn’t shake the unease settling in his chest.
When they arrived at the hospital, the medical staff took Mara in immediately, Stefan joining them, leaving the rest of the Shepherd men in the hallway. Steve and Mr. Shepherd Sr. paced back and forth, their anxiety palpable.
Steve’s dark brown hair was disheveled, his striking blue eyes filled with worry. Nurses and staff passing by couldn’t help but notice the two men, their presence commanding attention even in their distress. It wasn’t every day that Steve Shepherd was seen in person, especially in such a vulnerable state.
Steve stood nearby, his arms crossed as he tried to keep his emotions in check. He knew they needed to stay strong for Mara, but the uncertainty was gnawing at him. Steve’s pacing grew more frantic, his mind spiraling with what-ifs. "She has to be okay," Steve muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "She has to be."
Mr. Shepherd Sr. placed a hand on Steve’s shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort from the usually reserved patriarch. "We’ll get through this," he said, though his voice wavered slightly. "Stefania is strong. She’ll pull through."