Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 627

Bang—

The scream pierced the air simultaneously with the sound of an explosion.

Instantly, the ballroom descended into chaos.

Instinctively, I shielded my belly, bracing for the inevitable impact, only to find myself caught in a familiar, comforting embrace.

"Gregory—"

The scent of burning filled my nostrils as another explosion erupted, sending people scattering in every direction.

"My God, it's sulfuric acid!"

The surrounding screams only heightened the panic, making it impossible for Gregory and me to move through the frantic crowd.

Summer, completely unhinged, showed no regard for those around her.

Some were splashed with the acid, causing utter mayhem.

Just as Summer charged at me, Lucius burst through the crowd, restraining her but not without sustaining burns himself.

"Jane, you alright?"

I forced myself to remain calm. "I'm fine, but we need to get Gregory to the hospital now!"

Dr. Andrews and Abdul joined us in our car, rushing Gregory to the emergency room while I fought off waves of dizziness.

"Jane!"

Christine caught me as I nearly collapsed, having not even checked on her safety earlier. But before I could inquire, she screamed for a doctor.

The rest became a blur, overwhelmed by noise until darkness claimed me.

When I awoke, I wasn't in a hospital.

My first instinct was to touch my belly, relieved to feel my unborn child still safe within.

I got up from the bed, finding myself in what seemed like a cabin on a cruise ship.

Before I could piece everything together, the door swung open.

I defensively grabbed the blanket, but was shocked by the person who entered.

"How can it be you?!"

...

Hospital.

After an intense rescue operation, Gregory was out of danger, but his back suffered severe burns that would likely scar. However, that wasn't even the worst of today's events.

"Have they found her yet?"

Christine was frantic, "I saw her enter the ER. How could she just vanish?"

Struggling with seasickness on top of everything else, I clutched a trash bin, retching until I saw stars.

Then, a bottle of water appeared before me. I knew who it was from and refused it.

Yet, he didn't desist, unscrewing the cap and bringing it to my lips.

I turned away, and as the ship lurched, water spilled everywhere.

"Jane."

His voice was all too familiar, but it only intensified the turmoil within me.

It was Mark, the man I had once trusted above all.

My refusal to accept the water didn't deter him. He wiped his hands clean and approached, no longer the kind-hearted facade I once knew.

"Don't come any closer!"

I hurled the nearest object at him, but he dodged easily, grabbing my chin forcefully.

He leaned in, his obsession clear in his eyes. "I don't love you any less than he does... No, I love you even more."

I tried to escape his grip, careful not to harm my unborn child.

"Let go!"