The memory of that day was like a nightmare—one that refused to let Anathea leave.
A cold sweat broke out down her back, and her breath caught in her throat.
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But just as Hannah floored the gas pedal and shot through a busy intersection, a massive truck suddenly pulled out, blocking the two black cars that had been tailing thein.
Just like that, the pursuers were cut off.
The endless white noise in her mind seemed to fade at that very moment.
Anathea was stunned. But before she could process what had happened, two white cars appeared at the next intersection, blocking their way forward.
It was the four bodyguards.
Hannah slammed the brakes and cursed, “Damn it! They caught up already? How the hell did they know where we were going?”
Two of the bodyguards approached the car. Their tone was polite but firm. “Mrs. Sinclair, please step out of the vehicle.”
Anathea’s fingers tightened into fists.
“What now?” Hannah asked, frowning. “Are we actually getting out?”
“No,” Anathea replied calmly.
She stared at the two white cars ahead and at the anxious faces of the men meant to protect her. Without any hesitation, she said, “Drive through them.”
“What?” Chloe’s eyes widened. “Thea, did you say to drive through them?”
“Yes.” Anathea fixed her gaze on the two cars. Her expression barely changed, but her voice was unwavering. “Hit the gas.”
Hannah was surprised, then caught on immediately. “Got it. Let’s ram through. Hold on tight!” she said with a devilish smirk as she gripped the wheel.
Anathea held on to her seatbelt tightly. Her heart pounded in her chest.
She wasn’t trying to get herself killed. This was a gamble.
At the same time, Hannah slammed her foot down. The engine roared to life, and the tires screeched across the pavement as the car charged forward straight at the two white cars.
“Shit!” one of the bodyguards behind the wheel shouted, his eyes widening, as the car sped straight toward them.
Gregory had made it clear. No matter what, Anathea couldn’t get hurt.
So at the very last second, the bodyguards shifted their cars into reverse and veered them out of the way.
Hannah’s car blasted through the gap and swerved past them at high speed, leaving the stunned bodyguards behind.
“We did it!” Hannah whooped and let out a sharp whistle. “That was insane!”
She’d only ever done stunts like that on movie sets.
Anathea finally exhaled. Her gamble had paid off.
If Gregory could go off the rails, then so could she.
She had to get to the hospital and see Adam.
“Once we pass that bridge across the river up ahead, we’ll be right at the front gates of Castenea Central Hospital.” Hannah hit
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the gas and sped onto the bridge.
This stretch of Castenea River sat near the estuary, where they cot see the confluence of three rivers rushing toward the sea from atop the bridge.
As they drove across, a beam of sunlight slanted through the windshield. Anathea instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. As she adjusted to the light, her breath caught at the view ahead.
Beneath the bridge, the river surged, glinting under the sun. Golden light scattered across the water, turning every wave into liquid gold. The scene was vast and beautiful:
Anathea was utterly mesmerized.
“It’s so pretty!” Chloe exclaimed, rolling the window down to take it all in.
The wind rushed through, tugging at Anathea’s long hair. The sunlight danced across every strand like threads of silk kissed by gold.
Anathea let herself bask in the moment. A small, wistful smile appeared on her lips. This, she thought, was what freedom must feel like.
But then, the sound of rotors cut through the air above. Following that, a helicopter appeared over the river, steadily approaching.
Anathea froze, and the smile on her lips slowly faded.
Because she saw a tall figure standing at the helicopter’s open door with one hand gripping the handle. The spinning rotors kicked up a fierce wind, sending his black coat billowing behind him like raven feathers unfurling in the storm.
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