Valerie

Prologue

10 January 2020

"These people are crazy." Marcus laughs. He takes a sip of water and looks out at the party that we've been hired to photograph tonight.

I nod, chuckling. "They sure know how to throw a party, I'll give them that."

I check my watch and tell Marcus we have another thirty minutes before our time is up. We split up again and move around the party, snapping away on our cameras.

When the thirty minutes is up we start packing up and then I head over to speak to the client. She thanks us for our time and I tell her to enjoy the rest of the party.

Marcus is already loading the equipment into the trunk when I reach the car.

"You driving?" he asks.

"Sure." I smile, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I love that we get to do this together."

He turns and places a kiss on my head. "Me too. Now let's get out of here. I'm starving."

I laugh and move over to the driver's door, opening it and getting in.

Marcus shuts the trunk and climbs into the passenger seat.

He connects his phone to Bluetooth and starts going through his playlist until he finds the song he's looking for.

"Just five more weeks and we're husband and wife. I can't wait." Marcus smiles, he places his hand gently on my knee. "I love you, Valerie." 

I glance over at him. "I love you too! I can't wait either! Then people will be taking photos of us, and not us of them. Although, I really do prefer being behind the camera."

Marcus looks out of the windscreen. "Light's green my love."

I turn back to the road and slowly put my foot on the accelerator. "So what are we getting to eat? Pizza? Burgers? I really want-"

BANG!

I feel the car rolling over and over again. I cling to the steering wheel as the car tosses me around.

I feel the car hit something hard, and the airbag pops, sending my head flying backward, I hit something cold and hard, the window, and immediately feel warmness running down my face.

"Marcus?" I whisper. "What-" The darkness engulfs me.

31 January 2020

"She's waking up, Toto." I hear my mother's voice say quietly.

My heart starts racing. Mom. She's here. How did she get here? She's supposed to be in Monaco. She said, Toto. Dad is here.

I push through the darkness, my eyes fluttering open, everything is blurry. I blink as the harsh light hits my eyes. The blurriness fades and I move my eyes around the room. Mom and dad are standing on either side of me.

This room, this is a hospital, when did I get here? Aren't we still driving? No, that car came at us out of nowhere. Marcus! Where's Marcus?

I dart my eyes around the room again, he's not here.

"Valerie, honey, hi." My mom leans over me, brushing her hand over my head.

I try to speak but no words come out, my mouth opens and then shuts again. I frown. Opening my mouth again.

"It's okay, honey, don't strain yourself." my dad whispers. He turns and picks up a cup from the nightstand. "Here. Drink some water."

I lean my head forward and sip from the straw.

I look at mom, tears are rolling down her cheeks. I force my hand, which feels very heavy, to move and take hers.

She looks down at it. "Oh, Val. Honey. We're so glad you're awake."

I sigh. "M... M... Mar...cus."

I watch my parents exchange a look.

No. No no no no no. No. What is that look?

"I'll get the doctor." my dad whispers, moving away from the bed.

I look up at mom, searching her face for answers. She takes my hand and squeezes it gently, a sad look on her face.

We both look up as my dad and the doctor come into the room.

"Hi, Valerie. It's so good to see you're awake. I'm doctor Schmidt. Do you know where you are?" he smiles warmly at me.

I nod. "The... hospital."

He smiles. "Good. Do you know why you are here?"

I shake my head, frown and then nod. "A... Car... Hit... Us."

He nods again. "That's right. I can see you're having trouble speaking."

No shit.

"You were in an accident, a drunk driver skipped a red light and hit you on the passenger side of the car. Do you remember the accident?"

I nod my head.

"Good. That's a good thing. You sustained a head injury, we had to put you into a medically induced coma after surgery to prevent any swelling in your brain. You might have a bit of pain, but we're treating that with some medication in the drip. I just want to check your vitals and then we can have a chat. Is that okay with you?" he smiles again.

I nod.

He checks my pulse, asks me to squeeze his hands, to press my feet up against his hands, and then he shines a torch into my eyes.

"Looking good. This is what we like to see." he writes on the clipboard in his hands. He then turns to my parents. "I think we need to have this discussion together."

My dad nods and moves quickly to stand next to me, he pats the bed to make sure my leg isn't there and sits down, taking my hand in his, a solemn look on his face.

I frown, searching his face.

My mom takes a seat on the chair next to the bed, taking my other hand.

I turn to look at her but she avoids my gaze, looking up at doctor Schmidt who has moved to the end of the bed.

"Mr. Wolff. I think we agreed that you'd do the talking. I'll just be here to assist with any medical issues."

My dad glances over his shoulder at him and nods.

"Val." my dad whispers. His eyes fill with tears.

"Papa," I whisper, shaking my head. "No."

He nods, squeezing my hand tightly. "Val, Marcus was in the car with you. The car struck the passenger side of the car. The car rolled multiple times before it hit the barricade. Val..."

I shake my head, my heart pounding. "Papa, no."

"I'm so sorry honey." My mom whispers.

I turn to her, tears are streaming down her face.

"Marcus passed away before the ambulance arrived." my dad whispers, his voice breaking.

I shake my head violently before I let out a violent scream, my stomach twists into a knot, nausea overcoming me, and the sobs shake my entire body.

No. This can't be true. Please, God. No. Please.

"Mom," I whisper, turning to her again.

She stands up and wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly against her, rocking back and forth. "I am so sorry honey. I'm so sorry."

I sob violently into her chest.

I feel my heart shatter into a million little shards.

I feel every tiny piece as it breaks.

He's gone.

My Marcus is gone.