Chapter 38: Car Accident
Sophia's Perspective
I thought Owen would fight for more opportunities for himself, like negotiating with the Ellis brothers so that after successfully arresting Heyman, the court would reduce his sentence and he wouldn't have to be banished from the pack.
But now, he was still concerned about me.
I widened my eyes, staring at him in bewilderment: "Owen, now is not the time to discuss this."
Owen still insisted: "No, this is too important to me. If you're short of money, I can help. You don't understand alphas—they're extremely domineering and selfish. Staying by their side, you'll get hurt."
Well, maybe Owen was right.
I knew the Ellis brothers, with all their flaws. Their background gave them supreme privileges, fostering their terrible personalities and explosive tempers.
Being with these two bastards was simply a nightmare.
But strangely, when Owen suggested I leave, my first reaction was hesitation rather than joy.
I had been preparing to leave the Ellis brothers early on. Things were progressing rapidly, and father's release from prison was just one step away.
Wasn't this the result I had always hoped for? Why was my heart suddenly starting to ache?
"Don't you want to?" Owen looked at me worriedly, his brow furrowed.
I quickly blurted out: "Of course not, I've been eagerly waiting to reunite with dad."
By then, I would successfully move out of the Ellis apartment.
Sophia, your life is about to get back on track. Pull yourself together, I told myself silently.
The four of us got into Lucas's car and drove directly to the police station downtown.
I planned to discuss this matter with the Ellis brothers after Owen turned himself in. This would be the safest decision for Owen.
Our school was located in the suburbs, quite a distance from the police station.
Lucas drove his SUV at full speed, trying to buy time for Owen.
After driving ten miles, I suddenly noticed something was wrong.
From the SUV's rearview mirror, I could see that the off-road vehicle behind us had been following us through several streets, always maintaining a certain distance from our car.
"Something's wrong, we're probably being followed," I alerted Lucas.
Everyone in the car immediately became alert, closely monitoring the off-road vehicle's movements. Lucas pressed the accelerator to the floor, rushing forward recklessly.
"Damn car, I can't shake him off!" Lucas cursed, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
I felt the speed was so fast we were about to lift off the ground. Throughout the way, my adrenaline was surging, and cold sweat kept breaking out on my forehead.
"They're Heyman's people, because I have evidence," Owen said with certainty, his voice filled with hatred. "They've been tracking me for too long. They never intended to let me reach the police station alive."
Just as we were about to arrive at the police station, the car behind us seemed to suddenly lose control and crashed directly into us.
"Watch out!" Olivia shouted frantically.
Before the impact, Lucas jerked the steering wheel, but it seemed to be a step too late.
My head hit the car window hard, and Owen shielded me, bearing most of the damage.
Then, I fell into endless darkness.
When I woke up again, I was already in the hospital, with the heavy smell of disinfectant permeating the air.
The fluorescent lights in the hospital room hurt my eyes. I slowly blinked, adjusting to the sudden brightness.
Olivia and Lucas were by my side. Lucas had gauze wrapped around his forehead, Olivia had several scrapes on her arms, but their mental state seemed relatively good.
"Thank God, you're finally awake." Olivia held my hand. "We were all worried sick."
I tried to sit up but felt dizzy and immediately lay back down.
"How long was I unconscious?"
Then Olivia told me that the car that hit us was completely wrecked, the people in it died on the spot, and I had been unconscious for a full day.
"What about Owen? Is he okay?" I asked anxiously, a wave of unease rising in my heart.
Olivia's expression became grave: "Owen was seriously injured. He just got out of danger and was transferred from the ICU to a regular ward. The situation doesn't look good."
My heart tightened, and guilt washed over me like a tide.
"Sophia, you idiot, you're barely alive yourself, yet you're still concerned about that damned Owen!"
Theo and Fabian appeared at my hospital room door, glaring at me with dark expressions.
My head was pounding, and I had no energy to argue with them.
Lucas said disapprovingly: "This is a hospital room, please be quiet."
Theo tried hard to control his anger, his voice low like a beast's roar: "Thank you for reminding me. If Sophia hadn't sneaked out with you behind our backs, she wouldn't be in a hospital room right now."
"Enough! Shut up!"
I used all my strength to stop their argument: "Theo, I was the one who asked them to help me find Owen. If you have issues, take it up with me. Also, they're all my friends, please show some respect."
Fabian spoke mockingly: "Then I suggest you cut ties with these useless friends as soon as possible. They can't even protect you."
I looked at Olivia, hoping they could step out temporarily.
"Sophia's condition isn't stable enough yet. Only one of you can stay," Olivia said.
So Fabian glanced at me and left the room.
Theo walked up to me, criticizing: "Didn't you say you were going to class? How did you end up in the hospital, hmm?"
Well, I did lie, and in this matter, I had no advantage in arguing with him.
Now that Theo knew about Owen's existence, he might harm him.
So I pleaded with him: "Owen can't die. He's already promised me he would cooperate with the investigation."
But Theo wouldn't listen to me: "We can find Heyman without him. Sophia, do you want to be deceived by him a second time?"
"It was all a misunderstanding," I retorted.
"I really don't know what spell he's cast on you!" Theo cursed. "Tell me, Sophia, do you like him?!"
I widened my eyes: "I don't. I only see him as a friend."
"What about him? He must love you to death, otherwise how could he risk his life to protect you."
Well, I had nothing to say. Owen was indeed pursuing me.
"So, would you consider him?" Theo stared into my eyes.
I was stunned for a moment and retorted, "That's none of your business."
My answer seemed to enrage him. He let out a low growl, then leaned down and kissed my lips hard.