I bet he is her boyfriend. She passed out again. I gently pulled her limp body out of the car and held her against my chest, her breathing shallow and uneven. Just as I turned to call for help—
BOOM!
Her car exploded behind us in a violent burst of flame. Metal screamed, smoke spiraled into the sky, and heat surged through the air.
My heart stopped. I stared in horror if I had been just a minute late…
"Thank God," I muttered under my breath, tightening my hold on her unconscious body.
I didn't even know her name yet, but I knew fate had dragged me here for a reason.
I laid her gently in the backseat of my car and slammed the door. My hands trembled on the steering wheel as I sped off, my thoughts racing. She kept whispering "Jake… Jake…" even in her unconscious state.
Who was this Jake? Who was this girl?
The Brooks Mansion
Back at the Brooks mansion, a gentle warmth filled the living room. Rose and Charles sat on the elegant ivory sofa, enjoying Sadash's pastries while watching the evening show.
"Change the channel," Charles requested, sipping from his wine glass. Sadash picked up the remote and flipped to the news.
A sharp female voice pierced through the calm atmosphere: "Breaking news: a Rolls Royce with the license plate Bro946Ra has plunged off the Redwood Bridge. Authorities report no body has been recovered yet. The possibility of survival is extremely low. Further updates will follow."
The glass slipped from Rose's hand, shattering against the marble floor.Sadash froze, remote still in hand.Charles stood slowly, his eyes wide.He turned to Rose, "That's Aurora's car."
Rose covered her mouth, her hands shaking uncontrollably. "No… No, it can't be…"
Each car in the Brooks garage had a custom plate that began with "Bro" and ended with a unique code based on the owner's name.
There was no doubt. It was Aurora's car.
Sadash fell to the floor, tears blurring her vision."She was just here… she was happy… she said she was heading home…"
Charles's chest rose and fell in panic, his face pale. Where is my daughter?"
Jake's POV
I was losing my mind. The news had reached me too.My phone lay forgotten on the floor, the broadcast still playing faintly in the background. I sat still on the edge of my bed, crushed.
This was my fault.All of it.
If she hadn't come back for that damn phone…I buried my face in my palms.
Phone ringing…
I snatched it up.
"Hello?"
"Is this Jake Scott? "Yes… Yes, who is this?"
"I'm Kim Riverson. Aurora has been admitted at Falcon Hospital. She's alive, and she's asking for you."
My heart nearly burst. "She's alive… she's okay?" I was already halfway out the door.
Yes. She's stable now, but you need to come. She keeps calling your name."
"I'm on my way. Thank you, thank you so much."I called Sadash with trembling fingers.
"She's alive. Aurora's alive."
"Thank the heavens!" she sobbed. "Tell Sir Charles and Miss Rose she's safe. Just bring her home, Jake. Bring her home."
At the Hospital
I burst through the sliding doors of Falcon Hospital, not caring how many people stared. My voice came out hoarse.
"Aurora Brooks!" I barked at the receptionist. "Where is she?!" She blinked, startled. "Room R345. Second floor, left hallway."
I didn't wait for more. I took the stairs two at a time, lungs burning. I reached her door, hand hovering above the knob. I stood there, frozen for a second. My heart was pounding, chest heavy with guilt and relief all at once.
I pushed the door open.There she was.
My Aurora. Alive. Lying in a hospital bed, hooked to fluids, lips pale but breathing.
Tears blurred my eyes.
I nearly lost her…And it would've been my fault.