He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did-Chapter 16 - 14: A Life-Saving Favor

Isla Prescott didn’t dare to dwell on the sheer gravity of what it meant for Shane Sterling, the heir to the Sterling Group, to make that leap.

The river’s surface was pitch-black, like a monster that devours people whole. She watched helplessly as Shane Sterling also disappeared beneath the water. A wave of intense panic made Isla Prescott tremble like a leaf, but she forced herself to calm down.

She immediately called the police for help. Fortunately, the police station was nearby, and officers arrived quickly.

Isla Prescott picked up Shane Sterling’s jacket and followed the police down below the bridge. By the time they reached the riverbank, there was nothing to be seen on the water’s surface but ripples stirred by the wind.

The Easton River was too vast. Since it would take time to dispatch rescue boats, the officers could only search the immediate vicinity for the time being.

Isla Prescott stood by the river, wanting to help but completely powerless.

"Sienna! Sean! Sienna! Sean! Sienna Prescott! Shane Sterling!"

She stood at the river’s edge shouting, but the wind scattered her voice, making it all seem futile.

For the first time, Isla Prescott truly understood what it felt like for every second to stretch into a year.

After what felt like an eternity, an officer searching the riverbank suddenly pointed southeast and yelled, "There’s someone over there!"

Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing, and Isla Prescott craned her neck to see.

Sure enough!

Someone was there!

It was Shane Sterling, swimming toward them while towing Sienna Prescott!

The police threw a lifebuoy with a rope attached to Shane Sterling. Working together, they finally pulled Sienna Prescott onto the shore.

"Sienna... Sienna..." Isla Prescott rushed over.

Sienna Prescott’s face was ashen; she was unconscious.

The ambulance was still on its way, so the police administered first aid. But even after what felt like an eternity, she didn’t regain consciousness.

"Sienna... Wake up, Sienna!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Isla Prescott watched her rigid sister, calling her name as her own legs grew so weak she nearly collapsed.

A pair of hands reached out from behind her and steadied her.

Isla Prescott turned to see Shane Sterling. He was soaked to the bone, water dripping from his black hair. His shirt and slacks clung to his frame, and despite his wretched state, he exuded a primal, restrained allure.

He had just emerged from the freezing river, yet his palms were surprisingly warm. The warmth seeped into Isla Prescott’s skin, giving her an inexplicable sense of strength and reassurance.

As an officer performed a third round of CPR, Sienna Prescott finally coughed up a mouthful of murky water.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

"We really have this gentleman to thank today! Otherwise, after a jump from that high, her chances would have been slim to none!" Several of the officers gave Shane Sterling a thumbs-up.

As for Isla Prescott, her gratitude toward him was beyond words.

"Sean, you should go get changed before you catch a cold." Isla Prescott handed him his jacket and car keys.

"Okay."

Just then, the ambulance arrived with sirens wailing. Paramedics loaded Sienna Prescott onto a stretcher and into the vehicle.

Isla Prescott followed them all the way to the hospital.

The doctor’s examination revealed that Sienna Prescott had a mild lung infection. In addition, she had broken a rib from hitting the water at a bad angle after the fall from the bridge.

When Isla Prescott returned to the hospital room after finishing her sister’s admission paperwork, Sienna Prescott was already awake. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her eyes vacant, showing no trace of relief at having survived the ordeal.

"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" Isla Prescott asked, walking to her sister’s bedside.

Sienna Prescott shot her a glance, her tone distant. "Why did you save me? Why didn’t you just let me die?"

Isla Prescott raised her hand and slapped Sienna Prescott squarely across the face.

SMACK! A dull ache throbbed in Isla Prescott’s palm, and an even duller one throbbed in her heart.

"Mom raised you, fed you, clothed you, and sent you to school, not so you could throw your life away for some scumbag! You want to die? Fine. Go ahead and die after you’ve repaid Mom for the life she gave you and for everything she did to raise you!"

Sienna Prescott stubbornly pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

In truth, Isla Prescott doted on her younger sister. The slap had been an act of desperation. Seeing Sienna’s hurt yet stoic expression, she began to feel a pang of regret.

"Sienna..."

Sienna Prescott turned her head away, cutting her off. "Get out. I want to be alone."

The sisters had once been so close, holding hands every night as they slept. Now, Sienna wouldn’t even spare her another word.

Isla Prescott’s heart ached. Tears welled in her eyes, but not wanting her sister to see them, she turned and walked out of the room.

She had just reached the doorway when she saw Shane Sterling standing in the hallway.

He had showered and changed. His hair was neatly combed, making his handsome features appear softer and tempering the sharp, cold aura he usually carried.

Isla Prescott quickly wiped away the tears that had begun to fall.

Shane Sterling glanced down at her. "Slapping someone else, but you’re the one who ends up crying? Did your hand grow a boomerang?"

Only then did Isla Prescott realize he must have been standing there for a while.

She felt a flush of embarrassment. ’But he’s already seen me through enough humiliation tonight,’ she thought. ’What are a few more tears?’

"Sean, I can’t thank you enough for today. If it weren’t for you, my sister... She..." Isla Prescott trailed off, unable to finish. She couldn’t even bear to think about it. If her sister had really died right in front of her, how could she have lived with herself? How could she have ever faced their mother?

"Thank you. You didn’t just save my sister’s life, you saved mine, too."

"So," a smile touched Shane Sterling’s eyes, "how do you plan on repaying this life-saving debt? By pledging yourself to me?"