Astrid gripped the wheel as she weaved through traffic. The speedometer pushed past ninety, tires screeching when she took comers.
“Slow down,” I said. “We can’t help Audrey if we crash too.”
She ignored me, accelerating through a yellow light. The engine roared as we shot forward, the city blurring around us.
After several minutes, Astrid glanced at me, her brow furrowing. ‘You knew all along she was planning to leave, didn’t you?”
She gave a cold smile. “Audrey’s escape plan with Rachel relied on your grandfather’s help. If you’ve been monitoring him, figuring out their plan wouldn’t be hard.”
“Was the accident connected to you? Did you arrange it?”
“How could you think that?” I stared at her. “I wanted to stop her, yes. But I have countless ways to do that without endangering her life.
“Fair point,” Astrid said, “People like you prefer keeping your hands clean.”
The riverside was lit up like a stadium when we arrived. Police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks formed a perimeter of flashing lights. Yellow tape cordoned off the water’s edge.
I jumped out before Astrid fully stopped. The scene made my blood run cold
Two vehicles had been hauled from the river. The larger one, a delivery truck, was dented but mostly intact. The smaller one – Felix’s black car – was barely recognizable. It had been crushed from the side, metal folded like paper. Both dripped river water onto the pavement.
Near the truck, a white sheet covered what was clearly a body. The truck driver, I assumed. No sign of Felix, Rachel, or Audrey.
Astrid rushed toward the nearest officer. “What happened? Did you find them?”
“Ma’am, please stay behind the line,” he said.
“My friend was in that car!” She pointed at the crushed vehicle. “Have you found her?”
The officer sighed. “We’re still searching the water. The impact was severe.”
“And?” Astrid pressed.
“Given the state of the vehicle, we’re not optimistic.”
Astrid’s legs gave out. I caught her arm as she swayed.
“But you haven’t found them yet,” I said, unable to control the slight tremor in my voice. “So there’s still a chance.”
The officer looked toward the dark river, where search boats cut through the water with spotlights. “We’re doing everything we can. But that car took a direct hit at high speed, then plunged into deep water.” He shook his head. “We hope to find your friends while they still have a chance,
but…”
He didn’t finish. He didn’t need to.
Even though I’d prepared myself, hearing that Audrey might not survive made the world tilt beneath my feet.
Astrid regained her strength and pulled away from me. She slapped me hard across the face.
1/2
Chapter 251
“This is all your fault! Her voice was raw with anger. Blake Parker, remember this Audrey’s fate today is all your faulte
The blow made me stagger backward. I tasted blood but didn’t retaliate.
“If anything happens to her tonight,” she jabbed a finger at my chest, I’ll make sure you and Laurel both pay
“Blake darling!” Laurel’s voice cut through the night. She rushed toward us from Michael’s car.
She grabbed my arm. “Are you okay?” Her eyes widened at my bloody lip. “You’re bleeding!”
She turned to Astrid. “You dared to hit him!”
“I did,” Astrid said with a cold smile. “And I’m about to hit you too.”
She stepped forward. “Tonight’s accident – you arranged it, didn’t you?”
Laurel backed away. “What?”
“You’ve always hated Rachel. Your family never properly cared for her. And you’ve always resented Audrey for marrying Blake when you abandoned him. Tonight Audrey was taking Rachel away two people you despise. So you arranged this accident, didn’t you?”
“You don’t understand anything!” Laurel cried, tears springing to her eyes. “Rachel and I are the closest sisters! How dare you hit me…”
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