Page 261 of Maddening Fixation

“Get an ambulance here.” My voice came out rough.

Then louder. “Now!”

Keegan snapped out of his frozen state immediately and reached for his phone.

I didn’t wait.

I moved toward her.

For once, I didn’t care about pride. I didn’t care about anger.

I only saw Juliet.

I bent down and lifted her into my arms.

She weighed almost nothing.

That was the first thing I noticed.

The woman who had always fought me with every ounce of strength she possessed now felt fragile in my hands.

Like she could break from the slightest pressure.

And the worst part?

She didn’t resist.

Juliet always resisted.

She fought. She argued. She pushed back.

But now...

Nothing.

Her arms hung loosely at her sides.

Her head rested against my shoulder.

Her eyes remained fixed somewhere above me, empty and distant.

She wasn’t even crying.

And somehow, that hurt more.

“Juliet.”

My voice lowered.

No response.

I tightened my hold around her carefully. Not because I was afraid she would escape.

Because I was afraid I would lose her.

Then I ran.

My boots slammed against the concrete stairs as I carried her upward.