Gregory quickly braced himself against the seat.
It turned out the car had just come out of an alley and made a turn, and Gregory hadn’t quite settled into his seat.
“Apologies, Mr. Sinclair,” Martin said.
“It’s fine,” Gregory replied, leaning slightly toward Anathea. The warmth of his presence brushed faintly across her face.
He straightened up and created some distance between them before saying, “Drive more carefully.”
Martin nodded repeatedly, but the very next second, his phone rang.
“What?” he said.
Anathea watched as Martin’s expression instantly changed the moment he heard the voice on the other end.
He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his emotions. “Take Mom to the hospital first. I’ll head over soon,” he said. Anathea caught the tremor in his tone. He was genuinely scared.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“My mom got into a car accident. She’s being taken to the hospital” Martin said, breathing heavily.
“Pull over ahead and take a cab to the hospital,” Anathea said. “I can drive to the Sinclair residence myself.”
“But…” Martin hesitated, glancing nervously at Gregory’s expression through the rearview mirror. “Mrs. Sinclair Senior’s condition is urgent too. I should take you there first, and then go to the hospital…”
“Go to the hospital,” Gregory said, opening his eyes and looking straight at him.
His tone left no room for argument.
Martin froze for a second, then wiped at the corners of his eyes. “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair!”
He pulled over to the side. Anathea got out and went around to take the wheel.
“I’m so sorry for the trouble, Mrs. Sinclair. Thank you,” Martin said.
Anathea wanted to tell him not to call her “Mrs. Sinclair” anymore but the keys were already in her hand. She only said, “Go ahead, be careful on the way.”
“Alright,” Martin replied before hurrying off.
Anathea turned and opened the driver’s side door, only to find that Gregory had somehow moved to the passenger seat without her noticing.
He wasn’t looking at her but leaning back with his eyes closed.
Anathea didn’t ask questions. She got in and started the car.
However, she didn’t drive off right away. Instead, she just stared at him.
“What is it?” Gregory asked.
“Seatbelt,” Anathea reminded him.
Gregory paused. He cleared his throat and fastened his seatbelt without saying anything.
Anathea found him oddly strange but couldn’t pinpoint why. She looked away, shifted into gear, and pressed the accelerator.
But for some reason, the car felt oddly sluggish, like it just wouldn’t pick up speed.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Did something break?
Puzzled, Anathea pressed on the gas again.
Gregory cast a sideways glance at her, pressing his lips into a thin line. Without a word, he reached over and released the
handbrake.
Anathea was worried about Brisa, so she pressed the accelerator a little harder.
“Don’t rush. Safety first,” Gregory said softly as he opened his eyes and surveyed the road. “Grandma has a family doctor with her.”
“I know,” Anathea replied flatly.
She was well aware that there was someone taking care of Brisa and that it probably wasn’t too serious. Still, she didn’t ease off the gas.
As Gregory turned to look at her, he caught a glimpse of the unease on her face.
He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. The normally calm and composed Gregory now wore an uncharacteristically somber and weary expression.
“Are you really that afraid of being alone with me?” he asked.
Anathea suddenly slammed the brakes.
The car jerked to a halt. Her body lunged forward from the momentum, and her forehead bumped hard against the steering wheel.
Gregory nearly hit his own forehead and let out a low grunt. But the next moment, he reached out, pressing his warm palm gently on her forehead.
“Did it hurt?” he asked with concern, gently massaging the spot where her forehead had hit.
Anathea froze for a moment, then gently pulled his hand away. “I’m fine,” she said.
She saw the complicated look in his eyes and explained calmly, “Acat suddenly ran out at the intersection just now.”
That was why she had braked so suddenly.
“As long as you’re okay,” Gregory said, finally exhaling in relief.
The warmth of his palm still lingered on her forehead. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and continued driving. However, her speed was noticeably slower than before this time.
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