The wind roared in Elizabeths ears as she plummeted through the air, her eyes locked on Mr. Darcys retreating figure. Time seemed to slow, and with each passing second, his face became more distant and blurred. The realization that Mr. Darcy wished for her demise struck her with the force of a physical blow.
In what felt like an instant, she crashed into the cold water below, the impact sending a burst of pain through her body. The water closed in around her, choking and heavy, as her heart constricted in her chest.
The onlookers, initially amused by her struggle, realized her distress only when her movements grew weaker. Panic set in, and someone dove in to pull her out. As she lay unconscious, a male guest began administering CPR, his warm breath filling her lungs as the crowd around them hooted and hollered.
Elizabeths chest rose slightly with the forced breath, and she coughed up water, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of Mr. Darcys furious expression.
"Elizabeth, get up! Are you pretending again? You can swim, cant you..." Mr. Darcys voice was laced with contempt as he slapped her wet cheeks, trying to rouse her from her stupor.
Elizabeths heart ached with each beat, the pain spreading through her like a poison. The cold wind bit into her soaked skin, but it was nothing compared to the chill that settled in her heart at Mr. Darcys words.
"If I get tired of playing before you die, I will replace you with your daughter," he threatened, his voice low and dangerous.
Elizabeths face drained of what little color it had left. She laughed then, her eyes filled with defiance and a burning fire. "Mr. Darcy, dont make me look down on you!"
A hush fell over the crowd, and Mr. Darcys face darkened at her audacity. The fire in her eyes, the same that had once drawn him in, now fueled his anger.
With a sneer, he declared, "You have guts," and without another glance at Elizabeth, he strode away.
Shivering, Elizabeth tried to rise, but dizziness overwhelmed her, and she collapsed into a warm embrace. When she came to, she found herself in the same estate, her wet clothes replaced with dry ones, and a gentle man named Charles Bingley by her side.
"Im a doctor, and I was the one who performed CPR on you," he introduced himself, his ears turning red at the mention of his actions.
Elizabeth thanked him and inquired about the time, desperate to pick up her child. As she stood, a sharp pain in her chest made her stumble, but Charles caught her, expressing concern and suggesting a trip to the hospital.
"Another time," Elizabeth refused, her mind solely on her child. "I dont have time now."
"Do you... really not remember me?" Charles asked, hope gleaming in his eyes as he pointed to the scar on her neck.
It was then that Elizabeth recognized him as the doctor who had operated on her five years ago. In a twist of fate, they had crossed paths again.
Charles drove Elizabeth down the mountain, his curiosity about her recent misfortunes brimming just beneath the surface. However, he held his tongue, aware that they were more than just acquaintances.
Upon arriving at the kindergarten, Elizabeth rushed in, oblivious to the strange looks from the other parents. Charles, frowning, followed her in.
"Youre finally here! Weve been trying to reach you... You should see Lily!" a teacher with black-rimmed glasses greeted her, anxiety etched on her face.
Elizabeth sprinted towards the classroom, but as she passed the blackboard outside, her eyes widened in horror. The usual chart of childrens rewards was covered with photos...
They were images of her from yesterday at the club, dressed in a revealing dress!
The largest photo was of her being held by a short, fat man...