Chapter 99
The day before the competition, Sarah was busy at school all day.
She worked with the events and planning teams to decorate the auditorium, even Professor Wells stayed late out of concern.
“Are the competition questions secure?” Professor Wells asked.
Sarah nodded. “They’re locked in the counseling room’s safe, and I’m the only one with the key.”
Professor Wells looked relieved. “Good.”
After he left, Sarah double–checked all the auditorium equipment.
By the time everything was ready, it was already 11:30 p.m. She let out a tired sigh. No matter how exhausting, as long as tomorrow’s competition went smoothly, it would all be worth it.
Back at the counseling room, she was gathering her things when her phone rang. “Mia?”
Mia’s concerned voice came through. “Sarah, why aren’t you home yet?”
“Don’t worry, I’m just wrapping up and heading back now. It’s late–go to sleep. You need to be ready for the competition tomorrow,” Sarah said, her voice hoarse from fatigue.
Mia yawned sleepily. “Okay, but let me know when you get home.”
Warmth filled Sarah’s heart, and she agreed.
It was late at night, and the campus was poorly lit. For safety, she had sent the student volunteers back to their dorms by 10 p.m., leaving her alone on campus. The chilly wind howled, and the night air felt heavy with dew. Hugging her arms tightly, Sarah braced against the cold and the eerie silence.
She wasn’t afraid of the cold–it was the darkness that unsettled her. She turned on her phone’s flashlight, its beam offering a comforting sense of security.
As she approached the school gate, she noticed a familiar Cayenne parked nearby. Zachary was waiting for her.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Why are you here?”
It was hard to describe, but all her unease seemed to vanish in an instant.
Zachary stepped out and opened the passenger door for her, his voice slightly raspy. “Mia told me you hadn’t gone home yet, so I came to check on you.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said as she got into the car. The headlights illuminated Adams University’s dark gates behind them.
“I’ll take you home,” Zachary said.
The car headed toward her apartment, but Sarah couldn’t calm her racing thoughts from the moment she got in.
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Chapter 99
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Before they reached her building, a sharp pain flared in her lower abdomen. She instinctively clutched her stomach.
Her period had arrived–today was the first day. She’d felt some mild cramps in the morning but had brushed it off, thinking it
wouldn’t get worse. But now, the pain was unbearable.
Ah, the iced beer!
Earlier, she had treated the volunteers to a barbecue and had drunk a bottle of cold beer herself. Now she was sweating, the
cramps intensifying as she held her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Zachary asked, worry evident as he glanced at her pale face.
“I’m fine…” she replied, her voice trembling as the pain worsened.
Zachary slowed the car, frowning deeply. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“It just… hurts,” she murmured weakly.
“Hurts where?” he pressed, his voice filled with concern.
“Just take me home,” Sarah said, biting her lip, unwilling to explain further.
But Zachary seemed to understand. Without a word, he turned up the car’s heat by a degree. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“No, I don’t need a hospital!” Sarah blurted out instinctively.
“Trust me,” Zachary said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Before she could protest again, Zachary had already made a U–turn, heading straight for the hospital.
