Stella's POV
As we approached the crashed vehicle, my legs nearly collapsed beneath me. A visceral knot formed in my stomach, forcing me to stop and inhale deeply to prevent myself from vomiting. The driver was a horrific sight—completely drenched in blood with fragments of glass embedded in her skin.
Penelope had clearly been driving without her seatbelt. The force of the impact had catapulted her partially through the windshield, leaving half of her body draped over the crumpled hood while the rest remained inside the vehicle. Blood covered every visible surface, and her pained moans pierced the air. We knew better than to move her, fearing we'd exacerbate her injuries, but witnessing her suffering was unbearable.
I heard Owen's voice in the background, urgently calling emergency services. Adrian approached the wreckage, speaking in soothing tones to calm Penelope. I felt detached from reality, like I was floating above the scene, observing without truly participating.
