The call was answered on the fifth ring, but to her astonishment, it wasn’t Nathaniel’s voice that greeted her.
“Serena?” A female voice emerged from the other end, casual and almost too relaxed. “It’s Vanessa.”
Her throat constricted, the mere mention of the name sending a jolt of pain through her.
Vanessa yawned, sounding far too comfortable. “Sorry, I’m exhausted. We just celebrated your father’s conviction… in bed. Nathan is still in the shower. Do you need anything?”
Serena’s complexion drained of color.
Her heart shattered into countless pieces, the suddenness of it all leaving her gasping for breath.
“I-I-” she stammered, struggling to find her voice. Instead of revealing the true purpose of her call, she forced herself to say, “I just wanted to remind him that wett be getting our divorce certificate next week. don’t want any delays.”
him that wont be q
“Oh, don’t worry, Serena. That’s already his priority. Gavin will call you about the schedule. There’s really no need for you to contact Nathan anymore,” Vanessa replied sweetly, her tone dripping with insincerity. “It just… makes you sound desperate.”
Serena’s hurt morphed into a blazing fury.
How dare Vanessa speak to her like that?
Yet, instead of lashing out, Serena steadied her voice, determined to remain composed. Trust me I’m not desperate. I’m resolute about getting this done. In fact, why y don’t you give me your number too so I
can remind you as well?”
A laugh escaped Vanessa’s lips, light and mocking. “No need for that. Goodbye,
Serena. I’ll let him know you called.”
After the call ended, Serena buried her face in her hands.
Tears welled in her eyes, unbidden and relentless.
She had sworn she wouldn’t cry anymore, but the pain felt insurmountable.
The Accident.
“Miss Kline, everything is arranged for next week. We’re all buzzing with excitement to meet you, especially our school director, who is particularly eager for your interview.” The voice on the other end belonged to someone from Oakridge Bay University. They had already taken care of her travel arrangements, securing both her tickets and a hotel room.
Finally, Serena thought, a wave of relief washing over her. She was about to leave Velmon City behind, a place that had been a constant reminder of Nathaniel and the heartache he brought. This was her chance to start fresh, to rebuild the pieces of her life that had shattered.
“Thank you for the update,” Serena said, her voice steady as she hung up. She turned her gaze, searching for Alice’s family amidst the bustling crowd.
It was yet another weekend, just days away from the moment she had been longing for-the day she could finally hold her divorce certificate in her hands. Alice had suggested they join the Hartleys for a family outing, a perfect distraction to pass the time, especially since Serena had been suspended from work for a few days.
Being in nature had its way of soothing her troubled heart. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sound of water flowing had a calming effect on her frayed nerves.
They had traveled to Riverbend Point, a picturesque spot two towns over from Velmon City. The Hartleys had chosen a campsite right by the river cliff, where the landscape unfolded to reveal a wide, rushing river below. From her vantage point, Serena could see a small bridge spanning across the water, and the steep drop from the cliff made her heart race. The river looked fierce, its currents strong and unyielding.
Bernard and Lena Hartley, Alice’s parents, were lounging comfortably by the edge of the cliff, enjoying the serene view. Meanwhile, Alice’s younger brother, Landon, was busy preparing dinner, the scent of grilled fish wafting through the air.
“Serena, I have fantastic news!” Alice rushed over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “The hospital called! They found the samples! Your swab and Victor’s were still intact. The cleaners discovered them in a garbage bin, and since they were sealed in a ziplock bag, nothing was contaminated!”
A wave of relief washed over Serena, almost overwhelming in its intensity.
She had already reached out to the cemetery to inquire about exhuming her mother’s body, but they had informed her that a court order was necessary. The thought of alerting her father made that option impossible.
“I’m going to get them now,” Alice declared, determination in her voice. “I’ve already contacted someone at GeneSure Diagnostics Laboratory. They can expedite the paternity test.”
“I’ll come with you,” Serena said eagerly, her heart racing at the thought of finally uncovering the truth. But just as the words left her mouth, the aroma of the fish Landon was grilling hit her nostrils, and a wave of nausea swept over her.
She doubled over, retching violently until she found herself heaving near a nearby tree.
“Maybe you should stay here and rest,” Alice suggested, concern etched on her face. “You might be experiencing pregnancy symptoms. Why don’t you sit with Mom and Dad? Get some fresh air.”
“I’m so sorry,” Serena said, her voice small and apologetic as she looked at her friend.
“Don’t apologize,” Alice replied, her tone encouraging. “I can handle this. Just stay put, my friend. By next week, we’ll know the truth.”
After a brief ten minutes, Alice prepared to leave. Serena waved goodbye, watching as the car disappeared from view. But just as it turned the corner, a strange sensation gripped her chest, tightening like a vice.
“Why am I feeling this way?” she muttered to herself, unease settling in her stomach.
“Serena, come here and relax a little. Don’t fret. Alice will be back soon,” Mrs. Hartley said, her voice soothing.
In the following moments, Serena and Alice’s parents took in the stunning scenery around them. From the cliff’s edge, the river below sparkled in the sunlight, while the trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to one another. The air was fresh, carrying with it the earthy aroma of soil and wild grass.
Yet, despite the beauty surrounding her, an unsettling feeling churned within Serena. She turned to Lena, who remarked, “My hands are so cold.”
Serena found herself gazing at the distant bridge again. The longer she stared, the heavier her heart felt.
Suddenly, a bright red car sped across the bridge, and recognition hit her like a bolt of lightning-it was Alice.
A frown creased Serena’s brow.
Then, panic gripped her stomach as she watched two other cars racing towards the bridge from the opposite direction, their speed dangerously fast for such a narrow passage.
“Alice!” Serena gasped, springing to her feet.
“What’s happening, Serena?” Lena Hartley asked, her voice trembling as she followed her daughter’s gaze. “Is that….. is that Alice’s car?”
Alice’s father stepped forward, his expression one of disbelief. Everything seemed to unfold in slow motion.
In an instant, one of the speeding cars collided with Alice’s vehicle, the second slamming into its side.
A deafening explosion of fire and smoke erupted on the bridge, illuminating the scene in a horrific glow Two cars careened through the rating plummeting into the abyss below, while the remaining vehicle remained ablaze, flames licking the air.
“No! Alice!” Mrs. Hartley screamed, her voice filled with anguish.
Serena felt her breath hitch in her throat, her vision blurring as the blood drained from her face. “Alice… no. Alice!”
“Alice! Alice!” Landon shouted, his voice filled with panic, while Mr. Hartley’s voice cracked as he called out her name.
In the chaos that followed, they all raced toward the bridge. Serena’s hands trembled as she dialed the emergency hotline, her voice quaking as she reported the crash.
Upon reaching the scene, they found several bystanders attempting to assess the wreckage, but everyone kept their distance. The car on the bridge continued to burn, flames reaching higher with each passing second.
“Oh my God…” Serena whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at the destruction. “Alice… please. Please be alive.”
Without thinking, she rushed toward the wreckage, but Alice’s father held her back firmly. “No, Serena! It’s too dangerous!”
It was Landon who bravely ventured in search of Alice.
Before long, reporters, firefighters, and police officers flooded the bridge. Below, rescuers dove into the dark waters of the river, desperately searching for any sign of life.
As the skies turned ominously dark, hope began to wane. There was still no sign of Alice. Her car had plunged straight into the depths of the river, and so far, the recovery team had been unable to locate it.
Serena and the Hartleys stood helplessly at the bridge’s edge, their hearts heavy with despair as they realized the rescuers were woefully few. There weren’t enough boats, divers, on equipment to mount a proper search.
Authorities explained that Riverbend Point simply lacked the trained personnel and resources required for a rescue operation of this magnitude.
Just as despair threatened to consume them, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance. Two helicopters approached, slicing through the darkness with thei powerf beams of light More beats followed, carrying additionandivers** and trained rescuers ready to assist.
One of the helicopters touched down on the nearby road, which was wide and clear enough for a safe landing.
Serena could sense that a man of influence had orchestrated this response. She noticed the urgency with which several officers rushed toward the helicopter, forming a circle around someone inside.
As the crowd began to disperse, she finally caught a glimpse of the man stepping out.
Her eyes widened, a confusing mix of relief and uncertainty flooding through her. He was the last person she had expected to see.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.