When Time Stopped, Love Was Lost

I had just returned to the law firm when Daniel stormed in.

He was clutching a medical report in his hand, his face livid and his eyes shot through with blood.

The second he saw me, he raised his hand and swung it at my face.

I tilted my head and dodged it.

"Grace! When did you become this vicious? You actually hired someone to run her over!"

My face remained expressionless.

"I didn't do it."

"Then who did? I know you've never been able to stand her!"

When he saw the divorce agreement in my hand, his anger burned even hotter.

"So this is your game. You're threatening me with divorce because you're so sure I won't sign? Then I'll do exactly what you don't want."

He snatched the agreement from me, signed his name with a few sharp strokes, and clenched it in his hand.

"You want a divorce? Fine. I'll give you one. You want your shares cashed out too? That can be arranged."

He pointed at me, his eyes cruel and vicious.

"Emily had three ribs broken in that crash. Go downstairs to the parking lot, stand in the same spot, and let my men hit you once at forty miles an hour."

He thought I would regret it. He thought I would soften right away and say I had only asked for a divorce in a fit of anger.

But I only bent down, picked up the agreement, and brushed the dust from it.

"Fine. I agree. As long as it makes us even, I'll accept anything."

Daniel froze.

"What did you say?"

"I said I agree."

His face twisted with rage.

"Good. This is your choice. Don't regret it."

He took out his phone and gave the bodyguards a cold order.

"Bring the car downstairs."

After hanging up, he grabbed me and dragged me downstairs.

One of the lawyers tried to stop him, but Daniel shoved him aside.

When we reached the open area downstairs, he pointed at the skid marks on the ground.

"Stand right there."

I folded the divorce agreement carefully and tucked it into the pocket closest to my body.

Step by step, I walked to the skid marks and stood there with my back to the direction the car would come from.

I heard Daniel's icy voice as he instructed the bodyguards.

"Make sure you break three of her ribs. Don't hold back. I'll take responsibility."

Afternoon sunlight spilled through the glass ceiling, and the smell of gasoline hung in the air.

The roar of an engine sounded in the distance, drawing closer and closer.

I did not look back. I did not close my eyes.

I thought of Chloe saying she wanted strawberry cake.

I thought of the picture she had drawn of our family of three, with a warm yellow sun above us.

Then came a deafening crash.

I was struck hard and thrown through the air before slamming heavily onto the concrete.

That speed was far beyond forty miles an hour.

A piercing pain shot through my left leg, and the sharp crack of bone breaking exploded in my ears.

My ribs felt as if they had been crushed. Every breath carried the taste of blood.

I lay on the ground, my vision darkening as blood spilled from the corner of my mouth.

Through the blur, I saw Daniel hurry toward me, his expression tense. He seemed about to help me up, his hand already lifted halfway.

Just then, the special ringtone on his phone rang.

He immediately withdrew his hand and answered the call. In an instant, his face softened.

"Emily, what's wrong? Does your wound hurt? Okay, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, he did not spare me another glance. He turned, ran to his car, and sped away.

The sound of the tires faded into the distance until it disappeared completely.

I lay on the cold concrete and pulled out the divorce agreement, now stained red with blood, gripping it tightly in my hand.

My consciousness began to blur, and my vision grew darker and darker.

In a daze, I saw a tiny figure running toward me, wearing a white princess dress, her hair tied into two little pigtails.

She opened her small arms, smiling so brightly that her eyes curved like crescent moons.

"Mommy, hug me."

I reached out, wanting to hold her, but my hand grew heavier and heavier.

At last, everything went black, and I lost consciousness completely.