sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the pavement as she stared out t

d over in her mind, a loop of anger and frustration

er mother, the memories of her slipping away too soon, leaving behind only the echoes of love and warmth. The inheritance

barreling toward her, the vehicle swerving recklessly across the road. Instinctively, the driver yanked the steering wheel to

s white as she clutched the seat belts. The tires screeched against the pavement, the car lurching dangerously

oward the trees. The world became a blur of motion-branches snapping, glass shattering. Erica's body jerked violently as the car slammed into a tree, t

t, everythin

t a glimpse of the driver anywhere. Her head throbbed, blood filled her vision. She tried to move, but ev

. Somehow, she

ed, the realization hit her like a cold wave. This wasn't j

he reached for her phone, which had been thrown to the passenger seat. The screen was cracked, but it still

barely more than a whisper, but she forced the words out, ho

, to keep talking, but Erica's strength was fading fast. She could feel herself

of sirens in the distance, growing louder, cl

ptic scent of a hospital filled her senses. She blinked, disoriented, trying to piece together what had happen

a's voice was ras

"You're in the hospital, dear. You've been through q

ent a sharp pain through her head. She winced, clos

ll her? Was it Miranda, furious that she was challenging the inheritan

was, they

she felt a hand on her forehead, b

light, a face appeared in f

rming a wrinkle between his brows. Subconsc

oticed she was awake. He moved to call

rt. This was the one thing he had been trying t

ng to calm her down. Erica's grip on his sleeve didn't l

nto the ward, he exam

hes on her back. She needs complete bed rest and make sure water doesn't get i

she was concussed when we brought her

and the doctor acted like she wasn

ve a slight nod. She turned to look at him and notices how stressed h

ndow overlooking the city. A phone t

of the caller shook with anxiety. He knew he

e your punishment", with that, t

ll have to d