Then, to my utter revulsion, he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. A silent apology. A feigned regret.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my body stiff beneath his touch.
As soon as he left the room, my phone vibrated weakly on the nightstand. Its screen was cracked from the accident, but still functional.
I reached for it with difficulty, my breath hitching as Colette’s name flashed across the notification bar.
As I tapped the message open, a video file stared back at me, the play button almost mocking.
With trembling fingers, I pressed it.
The screen flickered to life, showing dimly lit security footage. At first, I could not understand what I was looking at—until I saw them.
Raphael’s parents.
They were seated in a grand dining hall, conversing with someone just outside the frame.
“…it’s been almost a year now. If she doesn’t leave willingly, we’ll have to force her hand,” Raphael’s father said.
“The Delaunay girl is reckless. One little accident and she’ll be out of Raphael’s life for good. That’s all we need.”
The blood in my veins turned to ice.
I barely noticed the message that followed until it flashed across my screen.
[That’s why, as your best friend, I warned you to leave. Or you’ll be in danger forever.]
Another message came in.
[Besides, Raphael has been using you all along. If you don't believe me, check the notes on his phone. You'll find every plan he's made to slowly destroy you and your family.]
Suddenly, memories of the accident flashed through my mind.
The blinding light that had engulfed us. The deafening screech of tires. The brutal impact that sent me crashing into darkness.
So, with Colette’s message seared into my brain, I realized the truth.
That was not just an accident. It was orchestrated.
How cruel could the Moreau family be, that they were willing to kill their own son in the process?
Suddenly, the door creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts. Raphael stepped in, his face etched with worry. His eyes softened the moment they landed on me, but I no longer saw him the same way.
Wordlessly, I reached for my phone, my fingers still trembling as I handed it to him.
His brows furrowed as he played the video. The color drained from his face.
"This…" His voice wavered. His grip on my phone tightened. "I… I had no idea."
I scoffed, turning my gaze away.