The ambulance sped through the winding streets of London, its siren wailing like a ghost in the fog. Inside, Eleanor lay unconscious, teetering between life and death. The lead physician, a grey-haired man named Dr. Whitmore, checked her pulse with steady hands and barked orders to the nurses:
“Faster! Keep pressure on the wounddont let her lose any more blood. The baby still has a chance!”
Beside her, Margaret wrung her hands, whispering frantic prayers. Her heart clenched with guiltshe hadnt acted fast enough back at the mansion. She remembered Victorias icy expression, her gaze sharp as a knifes edge, and finally understood the truth.
**The Emergency Room**
When Eleanors stretcher burst through the hospital doors, William lunged at the doctors, his eyes red with tears and rage.
“Please, save her! Her and our childI cant lose them!”
Dr. Whitmore gave him a stern, professional glance. “Mr. Harrington, wait outside. Were doing everything humanly possible.”
William stood frozen, then collapsed onto a bench in the hall, burying his face in his hands. For the first time in his life, the confident man felt the ground crumbling beneath him.
Behind closed doors, the medical team fought for Eleanors life. Her breath was shallow, her heart still beatingbut the baby was in critical condition. Machines beeped rhythmically, tension thick as smoke.
**The Waiting Room**
Victoria swept into the hospital, flanked by two close friends summoned to play the part of concerned witnesses. Her face was carved from stone, but her trembling voice fooled everyone:
“That poor girl how could she slip like that? I only wanted us to be a united family.”
Margaret, lurking in the corner, glared at her with smouldering hatred. If shed had the courage to speak the truth then, perhaps none of this wouldve happened. But fear of Victorias powerher influence over the city and her ability to ruin livesparalysed her.
**William and His Mother**
“Mother!” William snapped, rising abruptly. “Where were you when this happened? Margaret says you were right beside her!”
Victoria touched his arm with false tenderness. “Darling, I was upstairs. I only saw her fall It all happened so fast. God, if only I couldve caught her!”
False tears streaked her cheeks, but William wasnt sure what to believe. A crack, small but deep, had formed in his trust.
**News from the Operating Theatre**
After agonising hours, the doors swung open. Dr. Whitmore, exhaustion lining his face, approached William.
“Mr. Harrington, your wife is alive. It was a hard fight, but weve stabilised her. However the baby”
His words faltered, and William understood without hearing more. His world collapsed. He staggered, bracing himself against the wall as tears streamed down his face.
“Doctor I need to see her.”
“Shell be moved to a room soon. She must rest. But we noticed marks on her chest and arms. They dont look like injuries from a fall. Im obligated to report this to the authorities.”
Victoria, overhearing, stiffenedthen recovered, embracing her son with saccharine concern.
“Dont listen to them, my love. You know how quickly rumours spread. You need peace now.”
**Eleanors Awakening**
Hours later, Eleanor opened her eyes, pale and barely breathing. William kissed her hand, fighting back tears.
“Eleanor my love youre here with me.”
She stared at him, then her eyes welled up. Her hand drifted to her stomachand she understood everything from his gaze. A ragged sob escaped her lips.
“Our baby”
William pulled her close, whispering, “Well get through this together. I have you, and thats all that matters.”
But in Eleanors heart, another pain took rootnot just the loss of their child, but the certainty that the woman meant to protect her had orchestrated the tragedy.
**Margarets Confession**
Days later, Margaret could bear the silence no longer. She found Eleanor alone in her room and confessed in a trembling voice:
“Mrs. Harrington you must know the truth. You didnt fall. Lady Victoria pushed you. I saw everything.”
Eleanors blood turned to ice. It was the truth shed suspected but now had confirmed.
“Margaret why tell me only now?”
“I was afraid. You know the power she holds But I couldnt live with this guilt any longer.”
Eleanor gripped her hand, strength flickering in her weakened state. “I swear to you, she wont escape justice.”
**The Investigation**
Days later, the Metropolitan Police launched a formal inquiry. Doctors testimonies, the marks on Eleanors body, and Margarets statement pieced together a sinister puzzle.
Victoria, however, was no woman to surrender easily. Her lawyers crafted defences, her influential friends worked to smother the scandal.
William was torn between love for his mother and the brutal truth. Eleanors silent suffering and Margarets damning words haunted him.
**The Final Confrontation**
One evening, William marched into the sitting room, where Victoria waited, poised and cold as ever.
“Mother, tell me the truth. Did you push Eleanor?”
Victoria lifted her chin. “Everything Ive done was for your sake. She wasnt worthy of you. I saved our family.”
William stared at her in horror. “No you destroyed everything. You killed our child. And for that, Ill never forgive you.”
His words struck like lightning. Victoria stood frozenbut in her eyes, a flame of impotent hatred ignited.
**Epilogue**
The trial that followed shook London to its core. Newspapers splashed daily updates about “the Harrington Tragedy,” and whispers filled the streets.
Eleanor, though fragile, found the strength to testify. Margaret backed every word. The doctors presented irrefutable evidence.
Victoria Harrington, once feared and respected, was sentenced to years in prison for attempted murder.
William and Eleanor, scarred but unbroken, clung to each other for solace. They vowed to rebuild, to not let the shadows of the past poison their future.
Yet deep in Eleanors heart, the wound of losing their child would never fully heal. And every time she climbed the marble steps of the manor, a chill ran down her spinea reminder that a jealous mothers hatred could cut deeper than any blade.
