Chapter 10
We were just about to get in the car when, out of nowhere, a vehicle spun out of control and barreled straight toward
- us.
I heard Evan’s terrified shout, “Elira, run!”
Through the windshield, I saw the wild, crazed look on my mother’s face. The car was coming too fast. In that split second, Aveline shoved me hard into the flowerbed, taking the full impact herself as the car smashed her aside.
The pale pink roses were instantly stained a deep, vivid red.
My vision blurred with rage and panic, but Evan wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. “Elira, you’re okay! Thank God, you’re okay.”
I fought to break free from his grip, my eyes locked on Aveline’s crumpled body on the ground.
The light in her eyes was fading, bit by bit. “Sorry,” she whispered, “I… I can’t start over. Some things… they’re etched in my bones. So dirty.”
Tears streamed down my face. “That’s bullshit! Who told you that? You have so many years ahead of you. None of this is your fault–it’s those bastards who did this to you.”
Police and paramedics arrived in a rush. The EMTs lifted Aveline onto a stretcher and raced away with her in the am-
bulance.
When the officers restrained my mother, her eyes were bloodshot, wild as a lunatic’s.
“Elira, you’re nothing but bad luck! Why aren’t you dead yet?
“If you were dead, your brother could collect your life insurance. It’s all your fault!”
A police officer gave me a sympathetic look. “Miss, we’ll follow up on everything from here.”
I gave my mother one last glance, then turned and headed for the hospital.
Evan spoke up hesitantly, “Let me drive you, okay?”
At the hospital, I sat on a bench outside the ER, my nerves shot and my heart aching.
I’d always hated Aveline for ruining my marriage, but now, I couldn’t find an ounce of hatred left in me.
All I could see was that look in her eyes as she pushed me out of harm’s way–so fierce, so final.
“Elira, I’m sorry I was late. I really am.” Evan reached for my hand. “I swear, it won’t happen again. I’ll protect you from now on.”
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Chapter 10
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“Get out. You make me sick.” I couldn’t hold back any longer, yanking my hand away. “How did my mother know where to find me? Tell me!”
“Maybe she asked around, she…” He averted his eyes, panic flickering across his face.
Smack! My hand cracked across his cheek. “You told her. Only you knew where I was.
“Evan, every time I think you’ve hit rock bottom, you somehow sink even lower.
“Other than bringing misery, what are you even good for?”
His knuckles turned white from clenching his fists. He bowed his head.
“I’m sorry. I just thought… Leyla wanted us to get back together.
“I never imagined she’d go this far.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“Evan, let me make this clear–I will never forgive you. Not just for betraying me, but because you’re trash. You al- ways have been.
“I don’t ever want to see you again.”
He flinched, eyes squeezed shut in pain. “Okay, Elira. I just want you to be happy.”
“I’m perfectly happy without you,” I said, my voice cold as ice.
***
Four years later.
The Corven Group, wracked by internal strife and a mass exodus of shareholders, finally went bankrupt this year.
Evan was nothing like the man he used to be–gone was the confidence, replaced by a broken shell of a man drown- ing his sorrows in cheap liquor every night.
I figured, maybe one day, he’d just disappear in some forgotten corner of the world.
Aveline sent me her graduation photo. In a sea of faces of all colors, she stood out–smiling, radiant, and at peace.
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