Chapter 253
A sleek black Bentley, like a graceful yet urgent beast, tore through the night.
The hustle and bustle of neon lights outside the window formed dazzling streaks of color, with the howling wind and roar of the engine all kept at bay. Inside the car, the only sound was Curtis’ heartbeat, pounding violently in his chest.
Arriving at the hospital, he barely bothered to park properly before hurrying out.
All eight elevators in the lobby were nowhere in sight and he couldn’t wait a second longer, turning into the stairwell to stride upwards.
On the ninth floor, the young ophthalmologist in the office looked up in surprise.
Curtis, slightly out of breath, asked, “Where’s Leanne?”
“Dr. Castillo took my shift. She’s off today…”
Amy didn’t get to finish before Curtis had already turned and was striding away.
The night streets were jam-packed, headlights merging into a long river. The drivers’ frustration equally congested.
Curtis’ speed was a bit reckless, not nearly as fast as his heart felt like it would burst. He handled the steering wheel quickly and skillfully, dodging in and out of the traffic.
He crossed the congested roads through the dwindling city lights.
If only he had a time machine to zoom back in time, he wouldn’t have hopped on that anniversary flight to Starlake. Instead, he’d find her, wrap her up in his arms, and tell her she’s the best girl ever and that he loves her more than anything in the world.
Maybe even earlier, he would not to go to Emberland, not to utter that irretrievable childish remark, not to doubt her love for him, not to leave the birthday cake to his brother or not
to mock her bob haircut.
Or even, he would come back to the very beginning, not to let her parents be kidnapped, not to let her become a bullied child.
If only to start over, to let her grow up happy and carefree. He would love her well and give her all the beautiful things in the world.
The green light at the entrance to Golden Grove Manors flashed on, and the Bentley swiftly entered the intersection.
When that electric scooter from the right lane suddenly darted out, everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Curtis swerved sharply, trying to avoid it, but it was too late. The scooter crashed directly into his car.
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Chapter 253
The Bentley came to a stop after hitting a fence, Curtis lurched forward, the airbag deployed, and his brain briefly buzzed.
As his organs seemed to search for their rightful places, he fought off dizziness and a headache to get out of the car.
The right car door was dented in, but it was nothing compared to the wrecked scooter on the ground.
A lean man scrambled up from the pavement. Curtis was furious, “You ran a red light in this traffic. Are you out of your mind?”
The man, dressed in worn clothes, his face filled with urgency and nearing tears, apologized profusely, “I’m so sorry. I was in a hurry and my wife’s going to give birth…”
Curtis shifted his gaze and spotted a pregnant woman on the ground not far behind, his anger intensified but remained stuck in his throat.
The man rushed to help his heavily pregnant wife. Curtis, battling dizziness, called Caleb
to handle the aftermath.
“It’s all on me today. Someone will be here to take care of it. Ask him for whatever compensation you need.”
Curtis disinclined to squabble over a car door and add to the distress of this impoverished
couple.
He was anxious to find Leanne, handed the man a business card, and hurried off.
The woman’s moans reached him, drenched in sweat and half-lying in her husband’s arms, one hand painfully clutching her belly.
“You’re bleeding!” The man cried out in panic and guilt, “It’s all my fault! All my fault… Honey, just hang on, the police will be here soon…”
“Honey, my stomach hurts so much…”
The woman’s cries, like tendrils of seaweed, entangled Curtis’ departing steps.
The urgency nearly bursting through his chest mixed with a wave of nausea, causing his temples to throb violently, veins on the back of his hand standing out.
He looked towards the dark night in the distance.
There were three kilometers to Golden Grove Manors, which was not far away. “Call 911. I’m calling 911.”
The man fumbled for his phone, while the woman sobbed, “Honey, I can’t wait, I’m really about to give birth…”