Chapter 22 % I pressed my hand to my forehead as a sharp pain slammed through my head .
It felt like my skull was being pounded from the inside .
My mind was a whirlwind of voices and memories crashing in on me like waves , relentless and unforgiving .
Hestia , are you okay ? Lucians voice , full of panic and worry , cut through the noise .
} I heard the shrill beeping of the hospitals call button , like a cruel reminder of my reality .
Hold on .
Youre at it again .
Shit ! Dont faint on me , wife .
His voice trembled as he muttered under his breath , frustration mixing with his fear .
It hurts … I cried out , the words barely making it past the rawness in my throat .
The memories flooding my mind were cruel , jagged , tormenting .
They replayed in front of me , each image cutting deeper , until I thought I might drown in them .
!! Flashback Just hold on .
Were almost there .
Shes panting slowly , panic growing with each desperate second .
The pain was unbearable , unlike anything Id known .
It wasnt just the physical agony , it was the realization that this was the price of one terrible mistake .
The child from a night I could barely remember was forcing its way out , taking everything with it.
Hold on , baby … Chescas voice was soft but strained as she caressed my stomach , her eyes frantic .

She locked her gaze with mine , a desperate plea in her eyes .
You can make it , please .
After this , you wont suffer anymore , she promised , trying to soothe me .
The words barely reached me .
My body was betraying me , my chest tight with more than just pain .
Dad always said I couldnt handle extreme discomfort , that Id faint at the first sign of it .
He wouldnt let me take part in anything risky .
Id never dreamed of becoming a mother , terrified of this exact moment , yet here I was , suffocating under the weight of it .
Chesca , I think Im going to faint , I whispered , my breath shallow .
The blackness in my vision spiraled outward as my body struggled to stay conscious .
I barely heard her pleading voice before everything went dark .
Then , the world flipped .
The sound of tires screeching jerked me from oblivion , and my vision remained a blur .
I saw Chescas hands gripping the steering wheel , her knuckles white as she wrenched the car in a desperate attempt to avoid the tree .
But it was too late .
Instead of me , it was her who crashed into it .
The world around me felt like it was tilting , and in my hazy state , I screamed for help .
My voice , raw and desperate , echoed into the night , but no one answered .
Only the sound of the cars crumpling metal and the sickening thud of the crash filled my ears .
Chescas bloody , unconscious hand fell limply into mine .

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I begged her to wake up , to not leave me alone in this endless , suffocating darkness .
Please , wake up ! I cried , my voice breaking , the words torn from me in a desperate plea .
I looked around frantically , but it wasnt until I saw the shadow , large , menacing , that my scream grew louder .
But the shadow didnt come toward us .
No , it moved behind us , and suddenly , the car lurched downward .
The world spun faster , a downward spiral , until we were tumbling off the hill , the earth rushing toward us .
I dont know if the crash was truly an accident or if someone had pushed the car , but I knew one thing for sure : Chesca would still be alive if they hadnt .
End of Flashback My eyes fluttered open , the bright white ceiling glaring down at me .
It felt sterile , impersonal .
The realization hit me that I was still in the hospital , though not in the same room where Id been with Lucian .
I tried to sit up , but a stabbing pain shot through my head .
The world tilted , and I collapsed back onto the bed , my breath catching .
Dont try .
Rest first , my stepmothers familiar voice soothed me.§ Her face appeared beside me , filled with concern as she reached out to stroke my cheek .
But before she could , the door creaked open , signaling someone else entering the room .
Lucian stepped into view .
His eyes were heavy , his face drawn with exhaustion .
Id never seen him look this way , not even when things had been bad between us .
How are you feeling ? His voice was raw , worn out , as though asking the question had drained him .
I swallowed hard , but the words stuck in my throat .

There was so much I wanted to say , but all I could think of was the conversation wed had before my memories returned .
} Hows … Horde ? I whispered , my voice barely audible .
Mommy smiled gently as she took my hand .
Hes getting better .
Hes out of emergency , hija .
} A tear slipped down my cheek .
Relief flooded me , but it was a bitter relief .
Lorde was safe .
He had made it through .
Chesca … she died trying to save him , trying to save me .
And I was still here , broken , but alive .
I had to live for him .
For Lorde .
For Chesca , who had given everything .
I remember everything … I whispered , my voice trembling with the weight of the truth .
Its not an accident .
S someone pushed the car .
Lucians face tightened , his gaze steady .
Are you sure , Hestia ? Everything ? I nodded , a cold dread settling in my chest .
E everything …