Chapter One.

Sapphire Walter POV

"Mom, are you almost done? Dad and I have been waiting for over ten minutes! Please hurry!" I called out, excitement bubbling in my stomach.

"I'm on my way, honey! Just grabbing my purse," she replied from upstairs, her voice carrying down to us.

I could hear my dad chuckle from the driver's seat, shaking his head with a smile. "Your mom hasn’t changed at all, Sapphire. Always takes her time, but she’s just as beautiful as the first day I met her."

I giggled, my cheeks warming at his words. My dad has always adored my mom, showering her with compliments that never fail to make me smile.

Sometimes, I dream of finding a love like that—someone who cherishes me the way my dad cherishes my mom. A love that lasts forever, a ride-or-die kind of love.

But I remind myself that I’m just a teenager who recently graduated high school and will be starting college soon. Romance can wait; I have to focus on making my parents proud.

Although I craved romance like every other teenage girl, I was buzzing with excitement.

"Yes, she is, Dad! I can't wait to see the look on Mom's face when she sees the surprise birthday party we planned for her at her restaurant," I said, covering my mouth to stifle my giggles.

Suddenly, my mom climbed into the front seat and asked, "What surprise are you two whispering about?"

Oh no. She can't find out yet! What do I say?

I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw my dad’s anxious expression, a nervous gulp betraying his uncertainty about how to cover for us.

"I was just telling Dad about a gift from my teacher. It surprised me," I lied, scratching the back of my head and laughing nervously.

"Oh, okay! That's sweet, but I’m surprised you didn’t tell us sooner, Sapph," she replied, arranging her long ebony hair.

She shot my dad a smile, and I could see he was falling for her all over again.

"Yeah, I forgot," I added, another lie slipping out as Dad started the engine and we pulled out of the estate onto the highway.

I settled into the backseat, putting on my AirPods and relaxing against the headrest as one of my favorite songs played. I tried to forget about the surprise birthday party we were heading to at my mom's restaurant.

I was almost dozing off when suddenly the car jerked, and my AirPods fell from my ears.

My parents' high-pitched voices shouting at each other pulled me back to reality.

My eyes flew open in shock. The steering was malfunctioning, and the car was zig-zagging as they struggled to control it.

"Stop the car, Roberto! There’s a truck coming at us! Move to the side and hit the brakes!" my mom screamed in a terrified voice.

"I know, I know, Olivia! But the brakes aren't working!" My dad yelled back at my mom anxiously, his voice filled with worry as he began rolling the steering wheel, moving the car from left to right as he panicked.

A harsh gasp left my lips when I saw a two-decker truck running at us.

"Dad, Mom! We need to get out of the car right now!" I screamed, unbuckling my seatbelt and trying to push the doors open, but they wouldn’t budge.

"The door isn’t opening!" I yelled, my heart racing and adrenaline surging through me as I felt cold sweat cover my body.

My parents were struggling to unbuckle their seatbelts too. My mom looked at Dad, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Oh my God, Roberto, the seat belts are stuck!" she panicked.

Tears filled my eyes as I saw the truck speeding toward us, my parents frozen in shock.

Dad quickly hugged my terrified mom, trying to shield her. I heard them both cry out my name in unison.

"Sapphire!!!" And the large truck ran into the car from the front.

My whole body went numb, and my eyes blurred when the last loud cry of their screams pierced my eardrums, and the blood of my parents spluttered all over my face.

We rolled over and over again, tumbling until the car fell out the bridge into the deep river then everything went blank.

****

My lashes fluttered open as bright lights shone into my eye, forcing it to close again. I shielded my face with the back of my hand, groaning as I shifted uncomfortably on what felt like a bed. "Mom? Dad?" I whispered, my throat dry and scratchy.

"Doctor, she's awake!" a female voice called out.

As I slowly adjusted to the light, I lowered my hand and squinted at the blurry figure approaching me. After a few blinks, I could make out the doctor, dressed in a white lab coat, adjusting his glasses as he examined my face.

He shone a small torchlight at my eyes, then raised three fingers. "How many fingers do you see, Miss Sapphire?" he asked.

I focused on his hand to confirm what I saw. "It's three," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"That's good. Now try to rest. Food and drinks will be brought to your room soon," the doctor said, removing his gloves as he turned to leave.

"Why didn’t he mention anything about my parents?" I muttered to myself, anxiety creeping in. The last thing I remembered was their screams calling my name, and worry tightened in my chest.

"Doctor!" I gasped, stretching out my hand to stop him. He paused, turning back with a calm smile.

"Yes, Miss Sapphire Walters? Is there something you need?" he asked, returning to my side.

"Yes," I stammered, my breaths quickening. "My parents. How are they? Are they okay? Where are they? Can I see them? I need to know they're alright before I can rest."

The smile on the doctor’s face faded, and my brow furrowed as I struggled to interpret the unreadable expression he wore.

I struggled to sit up, eager for a conversation, but my weakness made it difficult. "Doctor? Please, just tell me how my parents are doing. Don’t stay silent or else..."

"I hate to break it to you, Miss Sapphire Walters," he began then paused. My brows furrowed as I sensed something was wrong.

"Break what to me, doctor?" I asked, shifting uneasily on the bed.

"Your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walters, are sadly... Gone." My eyes zeroed at him as my body froze in place.

"The impact of the truck had shattered the car you guys were in from the front. But somehow, your parents' car and the truck tumbled into the river before it could crush you in the backseat."

I scoffed at the doctor like he was the one losing his mind.

There Is no way my parents would leave me alone. They promised to be there with me until I grow old, help me with my grades, then I will take over my father’s business, and celebrate my marriage to the love of my life. This can't be real. What a joke!

"I know my parents aren't dead, Doctor. You're just lying," I said, forcing a laugh as the doctor raised an eyebrow.

"You know, Father and I planned a birthday surprise for Mom at her restaurant today because it’s her birthday. Maybe they’re just trying to prank me! But I’m not a kid anymore; this won't work on me." I laughed harder, my body shaking, tears streaming down my face.

The doctor's expression remained stoic, and it dawned on me that he was not joking. He wasn't fucking joking!!!

"Arghhh!!!" I screamed, clutching my hair as my voice grew louder, overwhelmed by memories of my parents’ blood splattered across my face.

"No, Mom! You and Dad can't do this to me!!! How could you break your promises? I’ll hate you both forever for leaving me! I hate you!!!"

I screamed louder and louder till I felt a tiny sharp pain pierce into my neck, and my vision blurred. In no time, I blacked out.