If Only

C H A P T E R 9

HEAD ON

RAVEN

Driving to Miranda's workplace, I saw her laughing and smiling as she went on about her work, unlike me. My emotions were all over the place after leaving my brother's home.

I had to kill my self-working for the company, Galvin was lying on that bed in a vegetative state, and Ai, my niece, was crying in her sleep unsettled by the drastic changes in her family's dynamics.

In flat out anger at the scene before me, I gripped the steering wheel–my knuckles white. A lovely and lively Miranda was living her life at their expense. Same could be said for the one who ordered her to do it.

Smiling, laughing, happy and carefree, uncaring of the pain and the lives they destroyed.

Sitting in my car, I lingered until she left the café that night. When I saw her get in, I drove blocks ahead and waited. Along the street where no light shined, I bid my time. The dark road I knew she often takes in the weeks she thought I have forgotten about her after the ceremony was done. It was the shortcut Miranda took to get back to the penthouse.

I recognized her car from across the street. While all the other cars took a right when the light changed to green, Miranda drove straight ahead. Revving up the car, I drove to her.

Meters away, Miranda drove straight and I swerved to the left encroaching on her right of way. Her car honked in warning but it only made me step on the accelerator. A meter apart, I dared her for a head collision course. I didn't even decelerate. With not enough time, Miranda took an abrupt turn and crashed into a concrete barrier.

What have I done?

I got out of the car to check on her. Smoke was rising from the car's dented hood. The airbag inflated but I saw her unmoving form.

Miranda?

I frantically tried to open the door but it was closed. Running back to my car, I took a screwdriver and a small hammer from my mini toolbox. When I returned, I position the screwdriver on the top corner of the passenger window and struck its handle.

Please be ok... please be ok!

When the window broke, I immediately reached to unlock the door and opened it. Kneeling outside beside the opened door, I pressed a hand on Miranda's wrist and then her neck to feel for her pulse.

She's alive but there was a small gash on her forehead. I almost slumped on the pavement in relief. I took my phone out and dialed for an emergency. Giving our location as clearly as possible, I prayed for the ambulance to get here quickly.

When the dispatcher said that help was on the way, I took one last look at the still unconscious woman before sprinting to my car.

I am so sorry, baby.

Please be alright.

* * *

MIRANDA

Cursing at the maniac who decided to pull a daredevil car stunt, I didn't come back to the penthouse until around ten. I was injured on the left side of my head and was wearing a brace for my neck.

I saw the dim lights on the loft and knew Raven was already there and might be sleeping. I couldn't deal with her tonight so I chose to sleep on the reclining chair outside. Taking some throw pillows with me, I arranged them and started to get comfy.

I didn't want to spend the night in the hospital so I told the responding medics that I wanted to go. They were reluctant at first but I was not going with them without a fight. In the end, I successfully caught a cab and came back to the penthouse on my own–that was after the police were done questioning me and making sure that I was not driving under the influence. They promised to look into the accident and find the other driver who caused it.