As the taillights vanished into the night, my eyes brimmed with mist, uncertain if it was rain or tears that blurred my vision. I stumbled along the dark mountain road, each step dragging my bleeding body forward. My heart ached like a knife twisting deeper, pain radiating through my exhausted limbs.
Physically and mentally drained, the night felt as dark as my thoughts. Just as I forced myself to move again, heavy rain began to pour down, drenching me in cold despair. With every passing moment, I felt the warmth of my blood seeping out, panic tightening its grip around my chest. I had no choice but to call Asher for help.
Before I could utter a word, his voice exploded through the phone, impatient and cutting. “Ingrid, are you done yet? I took you in because I felt sorry for you. Do you really think you’re a nobody?”
“I’m busy going to the hospital to take care of Dorothy! I don’t have time to talk to you. Don’t contact me again!”
After he hung up, a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. My vision dimmed, and I stumbled, unable to hold on any longer. Darkness engulfed me, and I collapsed in the relentless rain.