Chapter 90: An Accident
>Mallory
"Hmmm?" I let out a long sigh, my fingers tapping thoughtfully against my chin as my eyes moved back and forth between the two options before me.
I never imagined that choosing something so small could feel like one of the most difficult decisions I’d have to make.
Still unable to make up my mind, I slowly turned to Anne, who stood patiently at my side. Several shopping bags hung neatly from her arms, their glossy surfaces rustling softly each time she shifted her weight.
"What color do you think suits my son best, Anne?" I asked, gesturing toward the two beautifully crafted bags displayed in front of me. The fabric shimmered faintly under the store lights, each one made of exquisite material that felt smooth and delicate beneath my fingertips.
"The baby blue would simply look too cute on him," Anne said with a warm smile, "but I also can’t stop looking at the yellow one."
I frowned, my brows knitting together as I studied them again. "The yellow one resembles one of his pajamas... but the blue one reminds me of his dolphin toy..." I dragged a hand through my hair in frustration. "Aghhh!"
"How about taking both and using them alternately, Young Madam?" Anne suggested calmly. "I’m sure the Little Master would be pleased with either."
Awe, Anne my life saver what would I do without you?
I turned at the bag still thinking to myself.
She was right—but the combined price of both would easily reach at least five thousand dollars. Not that it truly mattered, especially since I was paying with a black card. Should I ask for a discount since I’m buying two? Still, this store is far too luxurious I don’t think they offer discount.
Nope. I would just taint my husband’s name. Damn! What am I thinking what would people say if they found out the wife of the richest man was chasing discount?
Old habits really die hard.
"I’m sure the Young Master wouldn’t want you to spare any expense when it comes to his son," Anne added smoothly, her tone gentle yet certain, as though she had read my thoughts perfectly.
And somehow, her words were incredibly convincing.
"Okay then," I said decisively, straightening my posture. "I’m taking both!"
"Thank you for your patronage!" the salesperson said cheerfully, bowing slightly as we exited the store.
As we walked away, I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief at how easily I’d been persuaded.
Thinking back, Anne had been doing the same thing throughout our entire shopping trip—something made painfully obvious by the mountain of bags the driver was now carefully loading into the car.
Thankfully, Mara hadn’t been busy and had agreed to take my son with her when I asked. I needed this time. I had to thoroughly prepare for my son’s first day of school.
Just as I reached for the car door, my phone vibrated inside my pocket. I paused, pulling it out to see Dr. Chesten’s name glowing on the screen. Turning to Anne, I gestured lightly.
"You go ahead first. I need to take this call," I said before pressing the answer button.
"Yes, Dr. Chesten? Is there a problem?" I asked the moment the line connected.
"Oh, Sister-in-law! It seems I forgot to inform you that you’ll need to bring my brother tomorrow," he said. "The school memo states that both parents are required to attend the child’s first day unless special circumstances prevent them from doing so."
I could hear nurses speaking hurriedly in the background, along with the faint beeping of medical equipment. He must have been busy—I hadn’t seen him in weeks.
"I know you’re a very busy man, but thank you for informing me. You could’ve just messaged me," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling slightly guilty for taking up his time.
"Alright, I’m coming..." I heard him say to someone nearby. "I don’t want to spare any expense for my nephew, especially since the children he’ll be with are all special cases," he continued before refocusing on me. "Anyway, that’s all. I have to go now."
"Alright then, take care."
When the call ended, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and entered the car. Anne was already seated, and the driver waited attentively in front.
"By the way, I noticed a few cars tailing us," I said, leaning slightly forward to address the driver.
He briefly checked the side mirror, his eyes narrowing before he looked back at me with a polite smile.
"I noticed them earlier while I was on the call," I added. "I remember things clearly when I’m outside, and I’m certain I’ve seen those cars before—on our way here."
The driver sighed. "It seems we can’t keep it a secret any longer then."
"Those are security personnel the Young Master specifically assigned to you, Young Madam," he explained as he started the engine. "The Young Master instructed them to keep their distance so as not to bother you."
"But Young Madam would have to forgive them, as they can’t afford to create any more distance than this."
"I see," I replied softly, offering him a reassuring smile. "It can’t be helped then."
Being the wife of one of the most influential men could easily put you in a precarious position. I supposed this was something I would have to get used to.
"Would you mind stopping by Mara’s office?" I asked after a brief pause.
"Certainly, Madame," the driver replied, smoothly turning the steering wheel as the car pulled away from the curb. I leaned back against the window, the cool glass pressing gently against my temple as I closed my eyes for a short rest.
I never knew shopping could be this tiring—and easy—at the same time. Back when I lived in the States, I used to stretch every last penny, chasing discounts and comparing prices endlessly. Aside from now, I always found myself dreading shopping for anything—except my son.
It had been a long time since I’d felt this free.
I was suddenly jolted awake by a surge of noise outside—raised voices overlapping one another, sharp and frantic. Almost at the same time, the car lurched forward before coming to an abrupt stop, my body swaying slightly from the sudden halt.
"I’m sorry, Young Madam. It seems there’s some sort of accident ahead of us. We may be delayed for a few minutes," the driver explained, his tone steady but alert as he glanced toward the road.
I leaned forward instinctively, my neck stretching as I tried to peer through the windshield and past the tinted windows, searching for any glimpse of what was happening outside. It looks like a pretty big accident and my nosey self can’t help but get curious as to what was happening.
But I can’t see anything since we are quite a distance from the scene.
"Do you want me to ask what happened, Young Madam?" Anne asked, noticing my movement.
"No, that won’t be necessary," I replied quietly, already unfastening my seatbelt. "I want to take a look myself."
Before anyone could protest, I pushed the car door open and stepped out. Almost immediately, the men from the cars a few steps behind us exited as well, their movements synchronized and a little too obvious. I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Jeez. They were clearly trying their best not to draw my attention—keeping their distance, pretending to blend in—but they all kind of sucked at acting.
I decided to let it go. After all, they were just doing their job.
I walked forward, my heels tapping softly against the pavement as I approached the gathering crowd.
The air buzzed with tension, punctuated by the sharp, rhythmic wail of an ambulance siren. People murmured among themselves, some standing on tiptoe, others craning their necks in curiosity or concern.
I rose onto my toes as well, trying to get a better view, when the driver quickly moved ahead of me, gently parting the crowd to clear a path. I didn’t even notice him getting out of the car.
"Oh, thank you," I said, offering him a brief nod before shifting my attention forward.
We were still some distance from the scene, the bright yellow tape stretched tightly across the road, forbidding anyone from coming closer. Even so, the moment my eyes landed on the accident, something inside my chest tightened violently.
My heart began pounding—too fast and it’s so loud. As if it was trying to get out of it’s shell.
The sound of it drowned out everything else, so deafening it felt as though it might burst out of my chest at any second. A wave of dizziness rushed over me without warning, my vision blurring at the edges. I instinctively clutched my chest, my breath coming out shallow and uneven.
It hurts!
"Young Madam!"
Anne’s voice rang out, sharp with panic—but it was the last thing I heard before the world tilted and went completely dark.
I can’t believe this is how I learned about it.
