Chapter 9

The road ahead stretched out, winding through the dense forest that bordered the town. The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the pavement as she stared out the car window, her thoughts still a mess from the encounter with her stepmother and sister.

The words exchanged back at the family house played over in her mind, a loop of anger and frustration. The nagging sense of unease refused to let her go.

As the driver rounded a bend, the road narrowed, tall trees that loomed like silent sentinels. Erica’s mind drifted to her mother, the memories of her slipping away too soon, leaving behind only the echoes of love and warmth. The inheritance, the manipulation, it was all too much. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog of emotions that clouded her thoughts.

Suddenly, the blare of a car horn jolted her back to reality. Her heart leapt into her throat as she saw a pair of headlights barreling toward her, the vehicle swerving recklessly across the road. Instinctively, the driver yanked the steering wheel to the right, trying to avoid the oncoming car. But the road was too narrow, and the other driver showed no signs of slowing down.

Time seemed to slow as the two cars hurtled toward each other. Erica’s breath caught in her chest, her knuckles white as she clutched the seat belts. The tires screeched against the pavement, the car lurching dangerously close to the edge of the road. In a split second, she realized with chilling clarity that this was no accident.

The other car veered sharply, slamming into the rear of Erica’s vehicle. The impact sent the car spinning out of control, careening off the road and toward 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, the force of the crash sending her head crashing against the window. Pain exploded in her skull, a white-hot flash that stole the breath from her lungs.

For a moment, everything went dark.

When Erica’s eyes fluttered open, she was surrounded by the twisted wreckage of the car, she couldn't get a glimpse of the driver anywhere. Her head throbbed, blood filled her vision. She tried to move, but every muscle screamed in protest. Panic surged through her, but she fought it down, forcing herself to focus.

She was alive. Somehow, she had survived.

But as she struggled to make sense of what had just happened, the realization hit her like a cold wave. This wasn’t just a random accident. This was an attempt against her life.

Her thoughts were sluggish, muddled by the pain, but she knew she had to get help. With a trembling hand, she reached for her phone, which had been thrown to the passenger seat. The screen was cracked, but it still worked. She managed to unlock it and dial Julian's number, her vision swimming as she tried to stay conscious.

“Help… accident… off the highway…” Her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper, but she forced the words out, hoping someone would hear her. “Near the old forest… hurry…”

Julian's voice was a distant murmur in her ear, asking her to stay on the line, to keep talking, but Erica’s strength was fading fast. She could feel herself slipping away, the pain and exhaustion pulling her under like waves in the ocean

The last thing she remembered was the sound of sirens in the distance, growing louder, closer. Then, the darkness claimed her once more.

When Erica awoke again, she was no longer in the forest. The steady beeping of a heart monitor and the antiseptic scent of a hospital filled her senses. She blinked, disoriented, trying to piece together what had happened. The room was dimly lit, and she could see the soft outline of a nurse adjusting something on a tray nearby.

“Where…?” Erica’s voice was raspy, her throat dry.

The nurse turned to her, a kind smile on her face. “You’re in the hospital, dear. You’ve been through quite an ordeal, but you’re safe now. Just rest, okay?”

Erica tried to nod, but even that small movement sent a sharp pain through her head. She winced, closing her eyes as a wave of dizziness washed over her.

As the nurse adjusted her IV, Erica’s mind raced. Who had tried to kill her? Was it Miranda, furious that she was challenging the inheritance? Or Vivian, spiteful and jealous as always? Or someone else entirely?

Whoever it was, they had failed.

When she regained consciousness, she felt a hand on her forehead, brushing her hair out of her face.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, a face appeared in front of her. It was Julian.

Worry was etched all over his features, forming a wrinkle between his brows. Subconsciously, her hands moved to ease that frown.

Julian's eyes moved to her face, he noticed she was awake. He moved to call the nurse but Erica pulled him back.

"I'm scared", those words pierced Julian's heart. This was the one thing he had been trying to avoid, he definitely knew who was behind this.

"It's okay, I'm not going anywhere.", Julian said, trying to calm her down. Erica's grip on his sleeve didn't loosen, he pulled out his phone and called one of his men.

Soon a doctor came into the ward, he examined her thoroughly.

"She has a slight fracture to her ankle and few minor injuries and few scratches on her back. She needs complete bed rest and make sure water doesn't get into the wounds.", The doctor said as be adjusted the IV connected to her hand.

"She can be discharged after 2 days, she was concussed when we brought her in so we'll have to keep an eye on her."

This was said to Julian as both he and the doctor acted like she wasn't the one they were talking about.

The doctor and the accompanying nurses left the room after Julian gave a slight nod. She turned to look at him and notices how stressed he was. Her eyes felt heavy once more as she slipped into the darkness.

In an office, a man stood by the window overlooking the city. A phone to his ear, fury contouring his face.

“We failed, sir. The girl survived” the voice of the caller shook with anxiety. He knew he was doomed, the boss would never forgive him.

“Head to the basement to receive your punishment”, with that, the strange man hung up the phone.

“I guess I'll have to do this myself”