Template placeholder with Chapter 182
Chapter 182:
Barrie had settled himself in the lounge just off the living room, passing the time as he waited. The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention, and he moved quickly to open the car door for Amelia and Wyatt.
Amelia’s mind wandered to the expensive bracelet hidden in her bag. A quiet sparkle lit her gaze as she asked the man beside her, “Out of all the grandchildren, do you think your grandmother holds you closest to her heart p>
“If anything, she’s trying to make up for her own son’s mistakes, not shower me with affection p>
Wyatt’s tone dropped, and something complicated shadowed his features.
𝖲𝘁𝗼r𝘪𝘦s 𝘆𝗈𝘶 wо𝗻’𝘁 𝗉𝗎𝘁 𝖽ow𝗻 𝗈𝗇 𝗴𝗮𝗹ոо𝗏elѕ.𝗰𝗼𝗆
For a moment, the look in his eyes caught Amelia off guard. Her thoughts drifted to Rory and Pattie. Even though Kamila never became Jewell’s wife, he treasured her deeply, and their children—Rory and Pattie—always seemed to have the affection they needed. Jaycob, as Hamlin and Suzanne’s only child, had never lacked love. That left Wyatt the least fortunate among the Stewart grandchildren.
Polly had often shown kindness to Wyatt. She had seen a boy longing for his father’s affection and felt a soft spot for him.
Realizing this, the weight of the bracelet felt heavy to Amelia. Unsure how to comfort him, she simply reached over, gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and offered a smile.
As her lips curved, the stitches in her face protested with a sharp sting, making her wince. She drew a steadying breath.
Wyatt caught the pained expression and let a faint smile touch his lips. He was about to speak when Barrie’s urgent voice shattered the moment. “Mr. Stewart, someone tampered with the car—the brakes aren’t working p>
Both Amelia and Wyatt went still, a chill running through them. Amelia’s mind flashed back to the crash Wyatt had survived two years ago. That accident had happened when the brakes failed, too. Hamlin had been behind the sabotage then. This time, the culprit remained a mystery.
The vehicle had been fine when they went to the Stewart Mansion earlier, which could only mean one thing—the car had been sabotaged there.
As she pictured the cheerful faces back in the living room, a rush of sympathy washed over Amelia when she glanced at Wyatt. It became clear that the people he called family were actually set on destroying him. Now she understood why his attitude toward them was cold.
Wyatt saw the silence settle over Amelia and assumed she was frightened. He wrapped his arms around her. “Stay calm. I won’t let anything happen to you p>
Before she could say she wasn’t scared, Wyatt turned to Barrie with instructions. “Take the elevated highway. Head toward the city’s edge p>
Barrie had driven through his share of trouble before, but a real threat to their lives made his hands tighten on the wheel. Still, Wyatt’s calmness helped him regain his composure.
Instead of following the planned route into the heart of the city, the vehicle veered, wheels screeching as it shot up the on-ramp to the elevated highway. Even though the clock had ticked past ten, traffic still pulsed along the road. Wyatt’s distinctive license plate caught the eyes of other drivers, and cars peeled away, clearing a path for them.
That simple act allowed Amelia to relax, letting out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She didn’t dare picture what would have happened if they had barreled into downtown with the car in this state.
The thought of the failing brakes sent a jolt of fear through her as the car careened down the slope, leaving her feeling as though she might be flung right out the window. Wyatt’s embrace tightened around her, and she could pick out the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Every beat, along with his gentle warmth, calmed the storm inside her.
Life in Kretol always moved at a frantic pace, and the city’s raised roadways twisted in endless curves above the sea. Barrie’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. He focused on the road, not daring to relax for a second.
Eyes locked on the road ahead, Amelia barely blinked. As they hurtled through another bend, a thought struck her like lightning. She called out urgently, “Barrie, head west—now p>
They were charging due east. Amelia’s shout jolted Barrie into action, and he spun the wheel sharply. The car lurched so hard it nearly tipped. Both Barrie and Amelia went pale, rattled by how close they’d come to disaster. Wyatt’s arm anchored Amelia as she regained her bearings.
“There’s a deserted beach west of here, just beneath the highway,” she explained quickly. “Once you exit the highway, drive straight for it p>
Barrie’s face brightened with a spark of hope. The sand could provide some cushioning, and with no one around, there was no risk of hitting anyone. His heart pounded as adrenaline kicked in.
Time stretched as the car raced along the high road. More than an hour passed before they glimpsed a wide, empty patch of darkness ahead. The abandoned shore was unlit, everything shrouded in blackness. Barrie couldn’t judge the right moment to swerve off the highway. He glanced at the rearview mirror, ready to ask for help, when Amelia’s raw, desperate cry broke the silence.
“Now, Barrie—down p>
Her voice sent Barrie’s hands flying to the wheel. He wrenched it, launching the car off the edge and into open air. The world exploded into noise and chaos. Wyatt’s pained grunt echoed in Amelia’s ears, and the next moment, they were tumbling through the darkness.