New beginning: Billionaire love story

He stepped right in front of Claire and stood there like a human shield.

She thought it was Matthew since she heard him shouting but she was wrong.

Claire's eyes went from wide to saucer-sized. "What the heck are you doing?" she managed to frown at Alexander as he staggered, his face draining of color. He leaned on Claire, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Protecting you..." he gasped, and then he slumped against her. Claire's heart dropped as she felt something warm and sticky spreading across her hand-blood. Alexander's blood.

Lisa's face twisted into a mask of horror and panic. "Oh my God, no, no, no!" She stumbled backward, her feet catching on the uneven ground. She tripped and landed on her backside; her eyes locked on the scene in shock. She couldn't believe what she'd done. Claire quickly assessed the situation. Her eyes locked onto the knife-its blade embedded in Alexander's back. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my God, oh my God," she muttered, more to herself than anyone. "Matthew!" She shouted to her friend, who was standing there, looking just as shell-shocked. "Help Alexander into the car. He's hurt!"

Matthew nodded, quickly moving to help. "What about Lisa?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Claire took a quick glance back at Lisa, still sitting in a daze with her hands clamped over her mouth. "Get her somewhere. Make sure she doesn't run."

Matthew carefully laid Alexander on his stomach in the backseat of the car, while Claire jumped into the driver's seat. She started the engine, her knuckles white on the wheel. "Hang on, Alexander," she said, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "We're going to the hospital. Just keep breathing."

Claire's eyes kept darting between the road and the mirror. "Can you hear me?" she asked Alexander, her voice trying to stay calm even though her nerves were shot. "We're almost there. Just stay with me, okay? We'll be there soon."

Alexander's breaths were shallow, and Claire was scared to pull the knife out herself. What if it made things worse? So, she drove like a maniac, dodging cars and honking at anyone who dared to get in her way. "Move it, move it, move it!" she shouted, her voice rising with every second that ticked away.

Finally, Claire screeched into the hospital parking lot. She threw the car into the park and bolted out of the car. "Help! Someone help!" she yelled as she dashed into the ER. A nurse at the desk looked up, alarmed, and quickly began alerting the staff.

Claire rushed back to the car, yanking open the back door. "Please, please, hurry!" she pleaded as the male nurse carefully lifted Alexander onto a stretcher. The other nurses sprang into action, pushing the stretcher toward the ER. "Wait!" Claire called out, trying to keep up. "Can I come in?"

One of the nurses shook her head. "Sorry, you have to wait out here. We need to get him into surgery right away."

"Okay."

The door to the ER slammed shut behind them. Claire stood there, frozen for a moment before her panic kicked in again. She remembered she didn't have her phone with her. "Oh, great. Just great!" She muttered, heading back to the car. Frantically searching for the front seat, she spotted her purse and grabbed it. She fumbled with her phone, dialing Matthew's number. When he answered, his voice was steady but worried. "Claire? How's Alexander?"

"I don't know yet," Claire said. "I heard them say he needs surgery,"

Matthew's voice softened. "Don't worry. We'll get through this. I've got Lisa secure. She's not going anywhere. Did you call Alexander's parents?"

Claire bit her lip. "No, not yet. I was about to."

"I'll be right there soon," Matthew said before hanging up.

Claire scrolled through her contacts and pressed Joan's number. The chilly night air graze her skin. Her wet dress just makes it more chilly for Claire. Joan answered on the third ring. Her soft voice greeted Claire. For some reason, Claire worries to see their reaction.

"Claire, dear. To what do I owe you this midnight call?"

Claire cleared her throat. "Hello, Mrs. Harris. I apologize for bothering you last night, but I need to tell you something."

"What is it, Claire?" her tone was curious and suddenly Claire felt nervous.

"Alexander...is at the hospital."

Joan sprung up from her seat, her eyes widening. "What? What do you mean my son is at the hospital? What happened to him?"novelbin

Claire hesitated. She doesn't know if she should tell Joan the whole truth or just lie. "I-There was an accident."

"What accident Claire? Please tell me if my son is, okay?" Claire can hear Joan's shaky voice.

"He is...at the surgery."

Joan placed her hand on her mouth in shock. "Oh God, what accident that can cause my son to get surgery? I will be there soon. Please keep me updated and send me the address."

The phone call ended, and Claire

sent Joan a

wearin thick text. Claire leans

back on the car in frustration and

weariness. It didn't cross her mind that this night would turn into a disastrous night. "God. Why did Alexander do that? That was such a stupid move."

Claire headed inside to wait for the result of the surgery. The nurse who passed by noticed Claire. "Excuse me, miss, but it looks like you need to get treated." The nurse pointed at Claire's wound.

Claire shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure, miss?"

Claire exhaled a deep breath. "Yes, I am sure." She headed towards the ER and waited outside.

"Claire." Turning to see the source of the voice, Matthew runs towards her.

"Hey, are you okay?" she nodded. "God, you look worse. You have blood on your neck and cheek. Wound on your cheek. What the heck did Lisa do to you?" Matthew's eyes blazing with anger.

"I'm fine really." she didn't feel anything. The slap on her cheek, the wound on her knees, and also the cut on her cheek and neck.

Matthew stared at Claire looking

serious. He placed both hands on

her shoulder and looked her in the eye. "Claire, you need to get treated and go home. I will stay here and wait for the result."

"But Alexander's parents? I need to explain to them."

"I will explain to them." Said Matthew but of course, Claire is too stubborn to agree to it.

"I'm responsible for this Matthew. I will stay here and get treated." She said in a firm voice and Matthew couldn't argue with her.

He sighed exasperatedly. "Fine, just go get treated."

Claire turned on her heels to find a nurse but before she could do that, she spotted Joan at the entrance. Joan's eyes went to Claire. "Where is Alexander?"

Claire brought her to the ER, completely ignoring her treatment. At the same time, the doctor step out of the ER.

"Who's the family?"

Joan stepped forward, tears brimmed in her eyes. "Tell me my son is alive, doctor."

"Don't worry, miss, your son is stable, but he is in a critical condition. You brought him here at the right time cause the knife was quite deep." Joan turned to Claire with her eyes widened. "You told me it was an accident."

"It is, Mrs. Harris, bu-"

"What accident that involves a knife?!"

Matthew chimed in as the atmosphere was getting tense. "Mrs. Harris, you need to list-"

"It was my fault, Mrs. Harris, I-" Before Claire can finish her sentence, a loud slap can be heard across the hall.