Chapter 42 Car Crash Once that was done, no amount of pressure could change things. It would be over. Lucien raised an eyebrow. So, she escaped the house just to call off the wedding? "You're sure about this?" he asked again, his voice deep, resonant. And in that deep voice, Kaia could have sworn she heard a faint, almost imperceptible thread of excitement. She nodded firmly, her expression resolute. "One hundred percent." This trip was clearly important, and he was definitely cutting it close. So, Lucien did as she asked, pulling over at the convenience store. As she got out, he added, almost as an afterthought, "Text me when you get there." Then, as if sensing she might misinterpret, he quickly tacked on. "Or text Alyssa. Either one." Kaia smiled, "Okay." She watched the black car vanish into the night. It was 9 PM. From here to the Graves Manor would take about forty minutes. Showing up this late was pushing it, but Kaia couldn't wait another minute. She then hailed a taxi. ***** Meanwhile, Sally had just stormed into the club when she received a call from the bodyguards. "What? She's gone? You absolute idiots! Two grown men and you can't even keep one girl locked up? Why am I even paying you?" Fuming, she barreled toward the private room Tobias had booked. His assistant nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw her. "Where is Tobias Domont?" She narrowed her eyes at the closed door. The assistant stammered, trying to block her view of the closed door. "M-Mrs. Domont! What a surprise! I didn't know-" Sally snorted, "Can't I be? You've got one minute to drag him out, or I'm kicking that damn door down myself." The assistant's heart pounded. This was a nightmare. He was supposed to be playing lookout for Tobias' little rendezvous, and now Sally was here, ready to catch him red-handed. The assistant scurried to a corner, turning his phone's volume down to a whisper. "Sir… um… your wife's here. Right outside. You might wanna come out. Like, now." Ten minutes later, the door finally opened. Tobias strolled out like nothing was wrong, adjusting his cufflinks and smoothing his collar like some damn peacock. He frowned, "What are you doing here?" Sally noticed the lipstick mark on his neck. She took several deep breaths to suppress her anger before saying, "Your precious daughter jumped out the window and ran off! And you still have the nerve to fool around here?" Some things, they both knew, were better left unsaid. Tobias' face flushed a dull red. "Don't be ridiculous. Where is she? How could she possibly run away?" "Someone helped her! You better find out who it was and fix this now. Because if that girl doesn't show up in a wedding dress the day after tomorrow-" She leaned in, voice like venom- "-you can explain to the Graves family why we lost everything." ***** Alden was taking Luna out for a late-night bite. "Luna, you barely touched your dinner." He glanced over. "And cut it out with the dieting, okay? You're already rail-thin." Luna lowered her gaze, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you, Alden. But, you know… thinner always looks better on camera." Her new single was dropping soon, and Alden had already pulled a few strings-booked her on a couple of variety shows. For that alone, there was no way she was going on some stupid blind date with a spoiled playboy heir. Alden gave her a warm smile. "I really don't know what to do with you." Suddenly, a dull ache throbbed in his stomach. He pressed a hand to it, rubbing gently. Luna's face instantly etched with concern. "Alden, is it your stomach again? Here-let me see." She reached out, fingers grazing the fabric of his shirt. Alden flinched. His hand shot up, grabbing her wrist, almost on instinct. "Luna. Don't" In that brief moment, neither of them saw the blue taxi speeding toward them from the opposite direction. CRASH! The two cars collided head-on. Alden's body slammed forward, his head cracking against the steering wheel. And Luna let out a piercing shriek. In the taxi, Kaia grunted as she was thrown sideways. A searing pain shot through her shoulder. The taxi driver was also hurt, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. Other cars screeched to a halt. ر ୯ bleeding-get an ambulance!" Alden gritted his teeth, groaning as he struggled with his seatbelt. "Luna… you okay?" Luna rubbed her forehead, dazed. "Yeah, I think so…" Then she heard the commotion outside. "Alden, the other car… Are they alright?" Alden scowled. "Stay put. I'll help you out." He didn't have time to worry about anyone else. His precious Luna was all that mattered. Alden helped Luna out of the car, his gaze fixed on the mangled taxi a short distance away. At the same moment, he spotted Kaia. Write your comment ir Gifts