Chapter 26

Chapter 26
Willow POV
The hospital room.
I sat by Grandma's bed, peeling an apple, somewhat distracted.
Thinking about what I'd just seen—why would Sterling and Gloria go to a restaurant together?
"Willow?"
Grandma's voice pulled me back to reality.
I looked up, forcing a smile. "What is it, Grandma?"
"You're distracted today." Grandma looked at me kindly. "Did you and Charles have a fight?"
"No." I lowered my head, continuing to peel the apple. "We're fine."
I'd told so many lies, they came out without thinking.
Grandma was silent for a while, then asked tentatively, "How's Gloria doing? I haven't seen her in so long."
My hand paused.
"She's fine." My voice was stiff. "The Brown family takes good care of her."
Grandma sighed. "I know you still blame her... but she didn't do it on purpose. If there's a chance, I'd like to see her once more."
My heart clenched hard.
No.
I couldn't let Gloria appear in front of Grandma.
Grandma didn't know the truth—if she found out, her heart might not be able to take it.
"Grandma," I said softly, "she's been very busy lately. When she's free, I'll bring her to see you."
Grandma seemed to sense something, but she didn't press further. She just patted my hand. "Take care of yourself too. Don't make me worry."
I nodded, throat tight.
Mentioning Gloria made me think of Sterling again.
Were they together? Or just a coincidence?
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away.
It had nothing to do with me.
Who Sterling was with had nothing to do with me.
I just needed to focus on my own life—find work, save enough money, then leave Charles.
These past days, Charles and I slept in the same bed but had no intimate contact.
Every time Charles tried to get close, I'd refuse, saying I didn't feel well.
He stopped pushing, but hurt would flash in his eyes.
I told Charles, "I passed the interview. I start work Monday."
Charles froze.
His expression was complicated, as if suppressing some emotion.
"Drive there yourself. That car I bought you has been sitting in the garage. Perfect time to use it."
My hand paused.
That very expensive car was what Charles bought me after our engagement.
But ever since Father died in a car accident, I'd never touched a steering wheel again.
"I don't drive." I said quietly.
"I know," Charles's tone was gentle, like coaxing a child. "But you need to learn independence eventually, right? I can practice with you for a few days. You'll pick it up quickly."
He made it sound trivial, as if the shadow of the car accident was nothing.
I looked at him, complex emotions rising.
Did he genuinely care, or did he just want to control me?
"Okay." I finally agreed.
Not because of his persuasion.
If I was going to leave, I had to learn independence—including driving.
---
That weekend, Charles took me to practice driving.
He was very patient, teaching me over and over.
My palms always sweated. I kept remembering that horrible accident.
"Don't be nervous," Charles's voice came beside me. "Take it slow. You're doing great."
"Just look ahead. This car's worth a million dollars. Other cars want to stay far away. No one dares hit you."
Gradually, I started to get the feel, shaking off the fear.
I drove smoothly all the way to his company entrance.
As I prepared to drive home, Charles got a call. "What? Okay, I'll be right there to handle it."
He looked apologetic. "Willow, there's an emergency at the company. I have to go. Can you drive home yourself?"
Suspicion flashed through my mind.
An emergency? Or was he meeting Rachel again?
Before leaving, he reminded me, "Drive slow. If something happens, just pull over and call me. I'll come right away."
Just like that, I was left alone in the car.
Watching the traffic flow, I felt uncertain.
I was hesitating whether to get out and call a driver when someone knocked on my window.
"You can't park here." A staff member warned me sternly.
I felt embarrassed. "Sorry, I..."
I wanted to ask him to help move the car.
But the staff member thought I was being difficult, his face stern. "Move it now, or I'll ticket you!"
I tried to ask for help, then heard him mutter disdainfully, "So young, driving such an expensive car—who knows how she got it?"
Hearing that, I swallowed my words, took a deep breath, and reluctantly started the car.
Fortunately, there was a parking area just ahead. I only needed to drive straight.
The car slowly moved forward.
Finally crawling to a spot, I was about to pull in when I ran into trouble.
I crept forward at turtle speed, looking out the window, hoping to find someone to help.
But there was no one on the roadside.
When I turned my attention back, I'd already reached a corner.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a car coming out.
Instinctively I hit the brakes, stepping hard, but the brakes didn't respond at all. The car went faster instead.
Watching the two cars about to collide, my mind went completely blank.