The Wrong Marriage

My heart slammed against my ribs as I sprinted through the campus corridors, shoving past anyone in my path. The elevators were locked. The main doors were sealed. Only the emergency staircase remained-and I took it two steps at a time, each one carrying me closer to the nightmare waiting below.

Every second stretched into an eternity. Memories of Clara flooded my mind: our vows, the moment I caught her when she fainted at the reception, the way her hand had felt in mine as she walked down the aisle. I couldn't lose her. Not now. Not after everything.

I burst into the Emergency Department, pushing through a crowd of panicked staff, patients, guards, and police. Then I saw her.

Clara stood frozen, a knife pressed against her as a wild-eyed inmate held her hostage.

The sight tore through me. Her lips trembled, tears slipping down her face. For one unbearable moment, the world seemed to stop. Then her eyes found mine-pleading for help, but brightening with the smallest flicker of relief.

"Why are you all just standing there?" I roared at the officers. "She's in danger! Get her out of there!"

"We're assessing the situation and trying to negotiate," the security chief warned, his voice low.

"Please remain calm."
Calm? How could I be calm while Clara stood at the mercy of a blade?

"Clara, look at me!" I called, forcing my voice to soften.

"I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Ju...lian... I don't wa...nt to die," she sobbed.
Every instinct screamed at me to tear the attacker away from her, but one wrong move could cost Clara her life. I turned to him, swallowing my rage and forcing the words out.

"Please, don't hurt her. She's innocent. Let her go, and I'll do whatever you want. Whatever it takes-just don't harm her. She's my everything. I can't lose her."
...
"You know I love you more than anything, Clara," I whispered, holding her close.

"I've got you. You're safe now. No one can hurt you."
She clung to me, shaking with sobs as I stroked her hair and pressed gentle kisses to her forehead. I rocked her softly, trying to soothe the terror from her trembling body.

Then, without warning, she went limp.
I caught her before she could hit the floor.

"Clara!"
Her eyes had already closed.

"No-please, don't do this!" I cried, dropping to my knees with her in my arms. I tapped her cheeks gently, shaking with fear as I held her against my chest.

"Clara, wake up! Please!"