Chapter 4
Claire's POV
We're on some back road outside the city. Nothing but empty land on both sides. No people. No shops. The truck that ran the light is long gone. Our driver is slumped over the steering wheel, not moving. I call out to him twice. No response.
I'm alone.
I slide down to the ground, clutching my ribs. Broken glass cuts into my palm, but I don't feel it. The pain in my chest has drowned out everything else.
I close my eyes. Tears fall silently.
Maybe this is better. Let it end like this.
My ribs feel crushed, each breath tearing through me. I don't know how long it's been. Time has lost all meaning.
A voice sounded. "Are you Claire Bennett?"
I force my eyes open. Several dark figures crouch beside me. One holds up documents, waiting for confirmation.
I nod. My throat is too raw to speak.
"That's her. Let's go."
They move immediately, fast and precise. I'm lifted onto a stretcher. Every shift sends pain shooting through me.
"Ms. Bennett, the fake death plan starts now. Stay quiet. We'll handle everything."
They place me in the back seat of an SUV. Through the window, I watch them return to the crash site. They're unloading black cases from another vehicle.
A case opens. There's a dummy inside.
Same height as me. Same clothes. Even the hair looks similar.
Someone's installing something in the driver's seat. Someone else checks the area, making sure there are no witnesses. The whole thing takes less than five minutes. Like they've done this a hundred times before.
The SUV starts moving, pulling away slowly. I push myself up, looking back through the rear window at the mangled car. The sky is getting dark.
We're about a hundred yards out.
Then, an explosion.
Fire shoots into the sky. The shockwave makes the SUV shake. Black smoke rises into the dark sky.
I stare at those flames. Tears run down my face.
Seven years. That fire is burning away seven years of memories. The good, the painful, the sweet, the desperate. All of it turning to ash.
Claire Bennett is dead now.
The woman in this car isn't Claire Bennett anymore. She has no past, no identity—just a future ahead.
"Ms. Bennett, here's your new ID, passport, and bank card. There's enough money in the account. We recommend you leave the country as soon as possible. Go somewhere no one knows you."
I take the folder. It feels light in my hands, but somehow impossibly heavy.
"Thank you." My voice comes out hoarse, unrecognizable.
"No need to thank us. You paid for this service." The voice stays calm. "Good luck with your new life."
The car keeps driving. The fire shrinks to a small point, then disappears into the night.
At the hospital, Sophia sleeps peacefully. The doctor just confirmed the baby is fine. She just needs rest.
Ryan checks his watch. Right, Claire. The second ambulance should've arrived by now. Which room did they put her in?
He turns to leave. Sophia opens her eyes. She reaches out weakly, grabbing his hand.
"Don't go... I'm scared..."
"I'm just going to check on her," he says gently. "Get some rest."
She lets go, something flashing in her eyes before the vulnerable look returns. "Hurry back..."
Ryan leaves. He doesn't see the way her expression changes the moment he turns away, her face full of cold hatred.
In the hallway, his phone rings. It's the housekeeper.
"Sir! Something's happened!"
"What is it?" Ryan frowns.
"The photos on the wall! They're all ripped! And the things you gave Ms. Bennett—the jewelry, bags, clothes—they're all packed in boxes by the door! Like... like she's returning them..."
Ryan's face goes white. "What?!"
"And... there's a torn photo in the trash. It was a picture of you and Ms. Bennett together, but only your half is left... She tore her half away..."
Ryan's hands start shaking. He opens the photos the housekeeper sent.
Bare walls. Boxes filled with gifts. A garbage can with just his half of the photo, his face still smiling.
His chest tightens.
He dials her number immediately.
"The number you have dialed is currently switched off..."
Panic hits him. He rushes to the front desk. "The car accident on Oak Ridge Road. Which room did they put the patient in?"
The nurse checks her computer. She looks up, her expression strange. "Sir, you're talking about the accident on Oak Ridge Road?"
"Yes! Where is she?"
"That car exploded again about half an hour ago. When the ambulance got there, the car was completely burned. They found two bodies at the scene—one male, one female. The ambulance is on its way back now."
