Chapter 396

"Olivia's been in a car accident. It's bad. She wants to see you one last time before..."

Evelyn Sinclair froze mid-step, her pulse hammering wildly in her throat.

She sucked in a sharp breath, suspicion coiling in her gut.

Was this some twisted test from Nathaniel and Olivia?

No. Olivia couldn’t have been in an accident. She had to be fine.

Evelyn glared at Nathaniel, irritation flaring.

"I don’t know who you’re talking about. Leave me alone."

She turned on her heel, but her chest tightened painfully as she walked away.

Nathaniel’s voice cracked behind her, raw with grief. "Are you really that heartless, Evelyn? Olivia was your best friend. Do you want her to die without making peace?"

Evelyn heard every word. She hadn’t gone far.

But she refused to look back.

Yet, the moment she rounded the corner, her hands shook as she pulled out her phone.

One call confirmed it—Olivia Bennett had been rushed to the emergency room after a collision.

"Olivia—"

Her breath hitched.

She flagged down a cab and sped toward the hospital.

After questioning the staff, Evelyn found herself outside a private room.

The door stood slightly ajar.

Her feet refused to move.

She wasn’t ready to see Olivia broken.

What if she was too late?

Clenching her fists, she forced herself inside.

The sight stole her breath.

A motionless figure lay beneath a white sheet. The ECG monitor displayed a flat, lifeless line.

Evelyn approached slowly, needing to see the face beneath the cover.

But as she reached the bed, she realized—the sheet had already been drawn over the head.

Her fingers trembled as she lifted the fabric.

Olivia’s pale, lifeless face stared back.

Evelyn’s lungs seized.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Olivia..." Her voice broke as she traced her friend’s still-warm skin.

"Why? How did this happen?"

She couldn’t believe it.

She had imagined their reunion—happy, whole, alive.

Not this.

Not another loss.

What had she done in a past life to deserve this endless pain?

Evelyn bent forward, clutching Olivia’s limp hand. The unnatural pallor of her skin shattered her.

"I’m sorry, Olivia. Evie’s here..." she whispered, pressing her forehead to Olivia’s.

Then—

A soft chuckle vibrated against her ear.

Evelyn jerked back.

Olivia’s lips curved into a smirk.

"Finally admitting it, are we?"