Chapter 22 I Don’t Have Much Time Left
“Could it ever measure up to what Tamara holds?”
Lailah tilted her chin slightly, her eyes meeting Zayden’s.
“For Tamara’s sake, you sacrificed my wedding day. You poured 20 million dollars into her fame without a second thought. Yet, you freeze my cards and call me greedy, saying I’m demanding too much.”
Zayden’s voice was ice–cold as he said, “None of that justifies your relentless picking on Tamara.”
Lailah scoffed, “Oh, yes, it’s all my fault for picking on her. Ms. Mosley is flawless and pure, isn’t she?”
Zayden wasn’t blind to the sarcasm
Zayden wasn’t blind to the sarcasm dripping from Lailah’s tone. His brow furrowed, a clear sign he found her utterly unreasonable.
Just as he opened his mouth to retort, Lailah beat him to it.
“Mr. Walter, I expect you and Ms. Mosley to clear the air online regarding the lies about me. If you don’t, don’t be shocked when you face the consequences of ruination and disgrace.”
Zayden’s gaze remained unreadable, dark and deep. “Consequences of ruination and disgrace?”
“Yes, Mr. Walter, do you doubt my resolve?”
“I have my doubts.”
Lailah offered a faint smile.
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“Then let’s wait and see.”
Their exchange ended, just like all their others, in deadlock.
Hardly had Zayden left when Maxwell arrived to escort Lailah home.
***
The next day, Lailah drove to collect Anton from school.
Despite the storm brewing around them, Anton, having missed her for days, was determined to see her.
At the thought of Anton, a warmth spread through Lailah’s heart.
Even the ache in her chest seemed to soften.
Traffic crawled during this hour, Lailah quickly sent Anton a message in case he got worried.
“Anton, I’m caught in traffic and might be a few minutes late.”
Anton replied at once, “I understand, Auntie Lailah. Don’t worry, drive carefully.”
A small smile touched Lailah’s lips.
She remembered how, back when Tamara wasn’t around, even the slightest delay would draw complaints from Krish, regardless of whether she was actually late.
Once, when she’d had a bad cold and been coughing constantly, Krish had been too busy texting Tamara to even ask if she was feeling alright.
Just as Lailah was about to turn at an intersection, a car suddenly hurtled towards her from a distance.
Lailah’s expression froze. She swerved the wheel instinctively, but it was too late. The other car slammed into hers.
Bang!
After the deafening crash, Lailah blacked out momentarily.
***
After what felt like an eternity, Lailah slowly came to consciousness. through the fragmented glass of her window. She heard a series of pitiful sobs nearby.
“Zayden, you’re finally here… That new driver was so terrifying; she
didn’t even brake, just plowed right into me… I thought I wouldn’t see you again!”
Through blurred vision, Lailah’s eyes fluttered open. Peering through the shattered windshield, she saw a tall, familiar figure carefully lifting Tamara from the wreckage of the other car.
Tamara?
Could Tamara be the one who hit her?
Tamara was weeping, her face a mask of tears.
She suddenly flung herself into Zayden’s arms. “Zayden, I thought I was going to die! I was so scared…”
He murmured softly, “It’s alright now.”
Outside, a crowd had gathered, murmuring and pointing. The scene buzzed with noise.
Zayden didn’t so much as flicker an eye in Lailah’s direction. He simply pushed through the onlookers, intent on getting Tamara away from the
scene.
Black smoke billowed, mingling with sudden, fierce flames. The acrid stench of gasoline filled the air, triggering violent coughs from Lailah.
“Hack, hack.”
She struggled desperately to free herself from the car, but her foot was trapped, immovable.
Instinctively, her hand flew to her pocket, searching for her phone–the only hope for help.
The car was engulfed in flames. If she called, would the rescuers even arrive in time? Or would she be consumed by fire first?
Driven by raw survival instinct and no time for deliberation, her fingers flew to dial Zayden’s number.
Perhaps the adrenaline of danger sharpened her senses unnaturally.
She caught the familiar ringtone coming from Zayden’s pocket.
Sweat made her palm slick and uncomfortable around the phone.
Lailah fixed her gaze on Zayden’s retreating back, her knuckles white as she clutched the device.
Zayden’s footsteps abruptly ceased.
Though she had long since relinquished any hope involving Zayden, in this stark moment of life or death, her heart began to pound erratically.
Zayden pulled out his phone. Seeing Lailah’s name on the caller ID, a shadow of darkness crossed his features.
Just then, Tamara’s voice drifted back to her.
“It’s Ms. Griffith calling… It seems Ms. Griffith has come to her senses.”
Tamara murmured, a faint, weak smile playing on her lips despite her tears. She urged, “Zayden, answer it quickly. Krish needs his mother’s care… Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine… Anyway, I don’t have much tim left.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Zayden’s face. He abruptly ended the call
“We’re going to the hospital first.”
With that, Zayden turned, completely focused, and carried Tamara away from the scene.
In that instant, the world tilted, and Lailah’s mind went utterly blank.
It was like a heavy blow struck her heart.
Her vision swam, darkened, and then she lost consciousness.
***
“The lady who was just brought to our hospital, isn’t that Zayden’s first love, Tamara?”
“Yep, that’s her. You should’ve seen Mr. Walter bringing her in–so worried, so heartbroken… They really are a pair meant to be, just star- crossed. It’s a shame they didn’t end up together.”
“I heard Zayden’s wife was the home wrecker, used dirty tricks to break them up before marrying him.”
“I saw Zayden standing by Ms. Mosley’s bedside… the way he looked at her, I nearly fainted right there. Okay, maybe my values aren’t perfect, but I really hope those two could finally be together.”
Lailah drifted back to awareness, the murmured gossip filtering into her
Chapter 221 Don’t Have Much Time Leh
consciousness.
“Ah, look, she’s awake!”
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Someone noticed Lailah’s eyes fluttering open and quickly hushed the others.
“Ms. Griffith, how are you feeling now?”
Lailah managed a weak shake of her head, but a wave of dizziness washed over her.
“My head… it feels dizzy.”
The doctor advised, “Aside from some minor injuries, you have a slight concussion and a mild sprain on your foot. We’ll need to keep you here for a few more days. Ms. Griffith, could you please have your family arrange for the hospital fees?”
Family?
Lailah thought bitterly. Her family should be at Tamara’s bedside right now, shouldn’t they?
A slow, scornful smile touched Lailah’s lips.
After a long, heavy silence, Lailah made a phone call.
***
Only after confirming Tamara was truly unharmed and gently coaxing the weeping girl into slumber did Zayden finally turn and drive home, the weight in his chest heavier than ever. It was already midnight.
The villa was pitch black.
Zayden rubbed his tired forehead and pushed open the bedroom door.
Chapter 22 I Don’t Have Much Time Left
consciousness.
“Ah, look, she’s awake!”
Someone noticed Lailah’s eyes fluttering open and quickly hushed the others.
“Ms. Griffith, how are you feeling now?”
Lailah managed a weak shake of her head, but a wave of dizziness washed over her.
“My head… it feels dizzy.”
The doctor advised, “Aside from some minor injuries, you have a slight concussion and a mild sprain on your foot. We’ll need to keep you here for a few more days. Ms. Griffith, could you please have your family arrange for the hospital fees?”
Family?
Lailah thought bitterly. Her family should be at Tamara’s bedside right now, shouldn’t they?
A slow, scornful smile touched Lailah’s lips.
After a long, heavy silence, Lailah made a phone call.
***
Only after confirming Tamara was truly unharmed and gently coaxing the weeping girl into slumber did Zayden finally turn and drive home, the weight in his chest heavier than ever. It was already midnight.
The villa was pitch black.
Zayden rubbed his tired forehead and pushed open the bedroom door.
Hive Much Time Len
Inside, the bedroom was also shrouded in darkness.
Once, no matter how late he returned, Lailah would always leave a light on for him.
The moment he arrived, she’d be up, asking if he’d eaten, if he wanted a midnight snack.
But since Lailah left, all of that had vanished.
At first, Zayden hadn’t even noticed the change.
Yet tonight, for some reason, he felt an odd chill settle over him.
He flicked the wall switch.
וה
A bright, blinding light flooded the room.
But the room was empty.
