I wrote out over three thousand words, everything I'd done in the business, every role I'd played.
At the end, I asked him sincerely to consider me.
When it was done.
I looked up at my phone and realized it was almost ten-thirty.
My parents' flight was about to land in Metropolis City!
The woman's words, thick with pain and regret, came back to me again.
Carol would drive drunk and kill my parents on Lantern Court at eleven-oh-nine.
And Geoffrey would choose to cover for her.
No more doubting it. I texted my parents right away.
【Mom, Dad, once you land in Metropolis City, don't go anywhere!】
【Wait for me to come get you!】
I'd just sent the text and was about to start the car.
Geoffrey came out carrying Carol, who was passed out drunk.
The two of them, standing in that gilded private club, looked exactly like a scene from some romance drama.
My heart clenched before I could stop it.
My phone suddenly rang.
"Lori, are you asleep?"
"Is the baby giving you trouble?"
Geoffrey's voice came through the phone, word by word, into my ear.
I stayed silent and said nothing.
"Lori, that bag you asked me to buy three months ago, I found it."
"I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
My eyes stayed on the LV bag, the one drunk Carol had tossed out of the car and left in the street.
I didn't make a sound. I didn't answer.
I just listened, quiet, to Geoffrey breathing.
And to the faint whimpering of a woman.
Until the call went dead.
Geoffrey helped Carol into the car and drove off.
The car drove all the way to the lakeside villa in Metropolis City.
From there to Lantern Court was only three minutes.
My fingers were shaking as I opened my phone again and searched for my parents' flight.
The moment I saw it had landed, I called them.
"Mom, Dad, are you in Metropolis City yet?"
"Did you see my text?"
"Whatever you do, don't drive yourselves!"
"Wait for me to come get you!"
I was rushing to get it out, and before I could finish.
My dad's voice suddenly came through, excited.
"Sweetheart, your mom and I got to Metropolis City ages ago!"
"We're longtime members of your fan club. Tonight's your fifteenth anniversary in the business, and we've got a surprise for you!"
"Surprise!"
My dad's voice came through, word by word.
I froze where I sat, my mind going blank.
Then, suddenly, I heard my mom's excited voice.
"Sweetheart, we're on Lantern Court right now, almost home..."
Lantern Court?
A cold went down the back of my neck.
Before it even registered.
My best friend's shocked voice cut in.
"Lori, a car's coming out!"
"It's Carol!"
"Didn't she just get drunk? How is she driving?!"
The black car came roaring past.
Terrifyingly fast.
My head was ringing, and I screamed into the phone, panicked.
"Mom, Dad, pull over right now!"
"Listen to me, don't drive any farther!"
