Far Apart, Safe at Last

"Miss Hart, you finally reached out to us." A respectful, low male voice came through the phone.

I leaned against the cold wall. My voice was weak, yet unwavering.

"The plan moves up. Do it tomorrow, on the way to the nursing facility."

After ending the call, I pulled out the SIM card and tossed it into the nearby drain.

Early the next morning.

Julian's bodyguards roughly dragged me off the camp bed and shoved me into a black van.

"Sit still!" The bodyguard snarled the warning, then locked the door.

The van started and headed toward a private nursing facility on the outskirts of the city.

I leaned against the window, watching the scenery blur past outside.

The route ran along a steep mountain road.

Far below roared the rushing Azurecliff River.

The radio inside the van was playing the morning news.

"Today, Julian Crowe, president of Crowe Group, announced that he will host a grand banquet next week. The event will also reveal his engagement to his childhood sweetheart, Ms. Serena Vale. Sources say Mr. Crowe has already finalized an amicable divorce from his former wife."

The bodyguard snorted and shot me a mocking look through the rearview mirror.

"You hear that? Mr. Crowe is about to marry Ms. Vale. A discarded ex-wife like you should get used to life in that facility. You'll just be their little blood-drawing machine."

I ignored his mockery and simply watched the curve ahead.

Just as the van was about to enter the sharpest U-shaped bend.

A massive cargo truck suddenly swerved out of the opposite lane, completely out of control.

The shriek of brakes tore through the air.

The harsh sound echoed across the valley.

The bodyguard panicked and jerked the steering wheel wildly, but it was already too late.

A violent crash exploded around us.

The impact sent the whole world spinning.

The van smashed through the guardrail and hung over the edge of the cliff.

The front of the van was crushed. The bodyguard slumped over the wheel, blood covering his face.

The vehicle swayed dangerously, ready to plunge into the abyss at any moment.

I calmly unfastened my seatbelt.

From my pocket, I pulled out the surgical blade I had hidden long ago.

Without hesitation, I slashed it hard across my wrist.

Blood burst out instantly, splattering across the window and the seats.

I took off the hospital gown soaked with my blood and hung it on the van's door handle.

Then I pushed open the door on the other side and leapt into the bushes below.

A few seconds later.

A thunderous explosion erupted.

The van finally lost its balance, rolling off the cliff and plunging into the Azurecliff River with a deafening explosion.

Flames shot into the sky as thick smoke billowed upward.

Hidden among the bushes, I lay flat on the ground and watched the blazing inferno below.

Julian's blood slave was dead.

From this moment on, Stella Hart no longer existed in this world.

......

President's Office, Crowe Group.

Julian was personally selecting jewelry for Serena's birthday banquet.

The phone on his desk suddenly began vibrating violently.

He answered the call, frowning slightly.

"What is it?"

The terrified voice of the head bodyguard came through the line.

"Mr. Crowe, something terrible happened! The vehicle transporting Miss Hart crashed on the mountain road and exploded after falling into the river!"

Julian's hand jerked violently. The priceless diamond necklace slipped from his fingers and fell onto the desk.

He shot to his feet, his voice rising sharply.

"What did you just say? Where is Stella? Where is she!"

The captain's voice trembled with panic.

"The vehicle burned down to a shell, and the river current is too strong… All we recovered on the rocks downstream was a blood-stained hospital gown… and—"

Julian yanked his tie loose, breathing hard.