The sun hung low in the sky as Jade pulled into the hospital parking lot, the faint hum of city life echoing in the background. Mia sat in the passenger seat, clutching a bag filled with their recent shopping spoils. They’d spent the afternoon darting between baby boutiques and grabbing a quick bite at their favorite café. The day had been lighthearted, filled with jokes and laughter, but as they approached the hospital, Jade could sense Mia’s mood shifting into work mode.
“Thanks for the ride, Jade,” Mia said, reaching for her scrubs bag from the back seat. “And for a perfect day. I needed that.”
“Me too,” Jade replied, her smile warm. “You’re lucky I like you enough to drive you to work after all that shopping.”
Mia laughed, leaning over to give Jade a quick hug. “What can I say? I’m irresistible. You sure you’re good to drive home? You look a little tired.”
Jade waved her off. “I’m fine. It’s just a quick drive. Plus, I’ve got all the cute stuff we bought to keep me company.”
“Well, text me when you get home, okay?” Mia said as she opened the door. “And take it easy.”
“Will do. Have a good shift,” Jade called after her, watching as Mia disappeared into the hospital’s brightly lit entrance. She sat for a moment, taking a deep breath before pulling out of the lot and heading toward home.
The streets were quieter than usual, the lull of early evening making the drive feel peaceful. Jade rolled down her window slightly, letting the cool breeze sweep through the car as she hummed along to the soft music playing on the radio. The back seat was filled with bags from their shopping trip: tiny onesies, a soft baby blanket, and even a plush stuffed bunny Mia had insisted on buying.
Her thoughts wandered as she drove, the day replaying in her mind. She felt a warm sense of contentment, despite the whirlwind of changes happening in her life. Between the pregnancy, the men’s protective nature, and the looming shadow of Vivienne’s threats, moments like these—simple and calm—were rare and precious.
As she approached an intersection, the traffic light turned green, and she eased her foot onto the accelerator. The streets were clear, and she barely gave the empty crosswalk a second glance. But just as she reached the middle of the intersection, the sound of screeching tires cut through the quiet evening like a knife.
Jade turned her head instinctively, her heart leaping into her throat. A car was barreling toward her from the left, running a red light at full speed.
“Oh my god—” Jade’s voice caught in her throat as she gripped the steering wheel, trying to swerve out of the way.
The impact came a split second later. The other car slammed into the side of hers with a deafening crunch of metal against metal. Jade’s car spun violently, the force throwing her against the driver’s side door. Her head struck the window, and the world around her dissolved into a haze of sound and motion.
The last thing she remembered was the shrill sound of a car horn and the taste of blood on her lips before everything went black.
When Jade began to regain consciousness, the world around her felt muffled and distant. The smell of smoke and gasoline filled her nostrils, and she could hear faint voices calling out, though she couldn’t make sense of the words.