Chapter 17 My chest tightened, but I forced a laugh. "You're dead. Margaret made sure of it." I whispered it again, calmer. "You're gone. I'm here." A knock on the door broke the moment. A gift box was handed in. My smile faltered when I untied the ribbon. Inside... tiny baby shoes. Stained red. Blood red. I screamed, the sound tearing out of me. Margaret rushed in, grabbed the box, her eyes dark. She snapped orders to her men. "Find out who delivered this. Now!" Minutes later they returned empty-handed. No one. No trace. Margaret pressed my shoulders, her voice firm. "Ignore it. Today is your wedding day. No one wil ruin it. Do you hear me?" I nodded, forcing a trembling smile, clutching her hand like a frightened little girl. "Yes, Mum You're right. Nothing will ruin today." She kissed my cheek and straightened my veil. I closed my eyes, calming myself. I had to look perfect. I had to look like the dream bride. Outside, I heard the hum of voices, cameras flashing, guests arriving, reporters murmuring abou the perfect Anderson bride. Me. I lifted my chin, radiant, smug, glowing. I walked the aisle with every eye on me. I told myself was untouchable. Then- A gunshot cracked the air. The whole room gasped. RUFUS' POV Gunfire. Loud, sharp, echoing off the church walls. People screamed everywhere. "Jesus Christ, someone's shooting!" "Get down, get down!" "Call the cops!" "Oh my God, she's bleeding!" I didn't even think. Instinct took over. I grabbed Maisie, pulled her down hard. Cameras kep flashing like the vultures they were, even as people trampled each other trying to get out. My ears rang, but I felt the warm spray on my hands before I even saw it. Her dress. White a second ago. Now soaked red. Maisie's scream cut through me. "My baby! Rufus, save my baby!" "Fuck-hold on," I snarled, scooping her up. My arms locked around her, tight, like I could hold her together with nothing but my strength. "Don't you fucking dare close your eyes on me, Maisie. Don't you dare." Reporters shoved in my face, shouting like hyenas. "Mr. Anderson, who shot her?" "Is the bride alive?" "Was this targeted?" Chanter 17 11:41 am "Move!" I roared, barreling through the chaos. My men formed a wall around us, guns drawn, eyes scanning the rooftops. Everyone was looking for the shooter, but I didn't give a shit about him right now. All I cared about was the blood spilling out of her, staining me. I slammed into the car, pushed her in, and barked at the driver. "Hospital. Now." The ER doors flew open, and they snatched her from me. Doctors, nurses, gloves, masks, orders being barked. "BP dropping, 80 over 40!" "We're losing the fetus-get me a surgical tray, stat!" "She's hemorrhaging. Someone clamp that artery!" "Move her to OR three now!" I stood there, drenched in her blood, shaking, fists tight. My chest burned like fire. My bride, shot on our wedding day. My baby-our baby. My fucking heir. I slammed my fist into the wall. "Fuck!" Margaret and Raul came storming down the hall. Margaret's eyes widened when she saw me "Oh God, Rufus. This is sabotage. Someone planned this. They want to ruin us." I turned, voice like gravel. "No. They want to kill her. And I swear to God, whoever pulled that trigger, I'll make him choke on his own blood." Raul put a hand on my shoulder, steady but tense. "Son-" "Don't fucking son me right now," I snapped, shaking him off. My blood boiled hotter. My sui was soaked in Maisie's blood, sticking to my skin, smelling of iron. Then Jules came running, face pale, eyes wild. "Where is she? What the fuck happened? Rufus what did you do?" 1 stepped up so close my chest hit his. "Watch your mouth." "She's my sister!" he yelled, shoving at me. "She was fine this morning, now she's bleeding ou because of you!" My fist nearly broke his jaw. Margaret grabbed my arm just in time. "Stop it! Both of you!" 1 pointed at him, eyes burning. "I swear, Jules, you try blaming me one more time and I'll put you in the ground myself" He shut up, breathing heavy, staring back at me with rage and fear. I turned away, running both hands through my hair, pulling hard like I could tear the fury out. Inside that room, Maisie was fighting for her life. Our baby too. My chest cracked with it, but I buried it under anger. That's all I had left. Anger. Who the fuck did this? Who aimed at her belly? I leaned against the wall, staring at the red stains on my hands. I swore right then-I'd find out. And when I did, I'd carve his name into hell myself. .... The doctor came out with that look I already hated. Grim. Detached. Like he'd seen this a Chapter 17 11:41 am thousand times before and didn't give a damn whose heart he was about to crush. "We stabilized her," he said flatly. "But she lost the baby." My chest caved in. The words didn't even sound real. Lost. Like he was some set of car keys. No. He was my son. My heir. Hours later, Maisie woke up in that hospital bed, pale as death. Her voice broke the second she spoke. "Where's my baby? Let me see him!" I froze. My throat burned. I wanted to lie. I wanted to give her hope, even for a second. But the truth clawed out anyway. "He didn't make it." Her scream shredded the room. She shook her head violently, tears flooding her face. "No! You're lying. You're lying to me!" Margaret rushed in, her hand on Maisie's trembling arm. "Darling, you're still young. You'll have another. The Anderson line is secure with you." Maisie turned her face away, whispering like a ghost. "No... it was supposed to be this one. This child was my crown." I clenched my fists so hard I thought my knuckles would split. The world outside exploded with the story. Anderson Bride Shot on Wedding Day. The headlines painted us like a cursed dynasty. Investors started pulling back, whispering about omens and weakness. Reporters camped outside the hospital like vultures. And me? I couldn't shake the thought. This wasn't random. That shot-aimed right at her stomach. Somebody wanted my heir dead. Maisie sat in that bed, hair sticking to her tear-streaked face, eyes burning through the haze of morphine. "Whoever did this," she rasped, "they'll pay." Her vow didn't stir me the way she wanted. If anything, it cut me colder. - Days later, I finally snapped. Standing by her bed, I let it out raw. "That baby was my heir. Now there's nothing." Maisie's eyes widened, then her hand came up, weak but furious. She slapped me. The sound cracked in the quiet room. gave you everything!" she screamed, voice breaking. "My body, my future, my loyalty! And you're blaming me for this? It's not my fault!" I stared down at her, jaw locked, no softness left in me. Then Margaret slid between us, her voice sharp as a knife but wrapped in sugar. "Enough. Stop fighting. What matters now is finding the enemy. Annette's ghost is still haunting us." The name sliced through the air. Annette... 312 68.08 11:41 am In "Someone Loved is Never Lost" by CrushReel, readers are immersed in a captivating CEO drama that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of corporate power struggles and personal relationships, this ongoing novel delves deep into the lives of its characters as they navigate the complexities of both the boardroom and the heart. Themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience intertwine with complex character dynamics, making for a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. CrushReel's unique storytelling style brings a fresh perspective to the CEO genre, offering a blend of emotional depth and strategic intrigue that sets this novel apart from others in its category. What makes "Someone Loved is Never Lost" special is its ability to seamlessly blend high-stakes corporate drama with heartfelt human connections, creating a story that resonates on multiple levels. Available to read at CrushReel, this novel promises a literary experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating each new chapter.