I saw Clayton lift Verity and walk away into the crowd. I breathed in deeply and, holding my belly, was ready to head back to pack my things and get ready to go.
But right when I turned around, a loud alarm suddenly echoed from above the shopping center, and right after that came many sharp cries.
“Fire!”
“Run! There is a fire!”
The calm mall quickly turned into a mess.
Heavy smoke quickly spread from an unknown place, the strong smell of something burning rushed toward us, and the people, like frightened animals, wildly pushed toward the exits.
Without thinking, I covered my belly, my heart jumping up into my throat.
I noticed Clayton not far away, his expression suddenly changing. Almost by instinct, he pulled Verity tightly into his arms, one hand shielding the back of her head, the other forcing a path through the crowd as he pulled her toward the closest exit.
At such a risky time, as his wife, he did not even look back at me once.
I was pushed by the crowd until I could barely keep my balance. My back hit hard against the rail, and a tight, dropping pain in my stomach instantly made my face go pale.
“Move aside…”
My voice shook. “I am pregnant…”
But nobody was able to catch my words.
Right when I was close to falling, Clayton suddenly looked back and noticed me.
Our eyes met for a short second in the chaos.
At a time between living and dying, people were weak. I formed a foolish hope, hoping Clayton would pull me to safety.
But in the very next moment, Clayton strongly shoved my heavy body ahead.
“Go ahead, do not block the path!”
His voice sounded rushed. “Wife, let me bring Verity outside first; her body cannot hold on. Any compensation you ask for, I will hand it to you later!”
I was roughly pushed ahead by the crowd, my body losing control, my belly hard hitting the line of people in front.
Severe pain burst out from my lower belly.
Sadness, hurt, anger, breakdown… many mixed feelings rushed hard through my chest.
I truly wanted to question Clayton if he even had a heart at all?!
Clayton held her close, almost using his own body to take every hit for her.
His choice was already very clear. What else could I still hope for?
As my awareness slowly grew unclear, I suddenly thought of many past events.
Five years earlier, I suddenly got a very high fever and was taken to the hospital, needing a blood transfusion.
I lay on the hospital bed, burning up and not fully awake. The doctor said my blood type was rare, and matching blood could not be found at that time.
I was extremely scared, gripping Clayton’s hand and shaking without stopping.
But he did not even crease his brows, simply pushing up his sleeve and telling the doctor, “Use mine.”
When the needle went into his arm, his face clearly paled, yet he still bent down near me and gently spoke to calm me.
“Wife, do not worry. I am here.”
Back then, I truly believed he would forever shield me in this way.
But now?
Ten years of love, all the time together, and the promises, in the fire and heavy smoke, were burned clean.
No, or maybe from the start, it was only my own wishful thinking.
The rescue personnel finally arrived, and the people were forced to evacuate.
I was no longer able to endure. My entire body dropped onto the floor, the ache in my belly feeling like it would tear me open.
The last image that stayed in my sight was Clayton lifting Verity and taking her out of the mall.
She only had small scratches, yet he looked so worried as if he had lost everything.
He gently set her onto the stretcher, again and again asking if she felt unwell, until the doctor nodded and said she was alright. Only then did he seem to lose all power and sway a little.
At that moment, somebody finally saw that his lower back had been burned by the fire, his clothes ripped, and his skin red and torn.
Even like that, he still would not let go of Verity’s hand.
I lay on the ground, my eyes hurting, feeling only bitterness. I slowly closed my eyes and, in my heart, took away one of the last two so-called “life-saving chances.”
