Chapter 1517
Winnie turned her head, only to be blinded by a glaring white light. She instinctively stumbled backward but lost her balance in the rush, landing hard on the ground.
The small delivery truck swerved sharply, narrowly grazing her back before screeching to a halt just behind her.
Pain shot through her body. A cold sensation seemed to spread, replacing the warmth she desperately clung to. Sweat poured down her forehead as a sharp, agonizing cramp spread through her lower abdomen. She instinctively placed a hand on her stomach, only to feel a warm, sticky flow.
Blood.
Her eyes widened in terror as she screamed, "Help me! Somebody, help!"
The truck driver, clearly shaken and panicked, glanced back briefly before flooring the gas pedal and fleeing the scene.
The cold night air cut through her like a blade as she lay sprawled on the wide, empty road, the pain tearing through her body amplifying the bitterness and hatred already consuming her.
Meanwhile, Jamie had run a great distance, frantically searching for Winnie, but she found no trace of her sister.
She pressed her temples, frustrated with herself. Why did she always make such a mess of things?
Pulling out her phone, she tried calling Winnie, but the line wouldn't connect. Winnie was clearly still angry, and Jamie suspected she wouldn't pick up tonight no matter how many times she tried. Perhaps it was better to let things cool off for a bit. When emotions settled, they could talk honestly and clear the air. Jamie knew she had nothing to do with Ben anymore and never would again. She sighed, brushing off the thought of Ben altogether. It wasn't worth dwelling on.
Just as she was about to head home, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. She hesitated for a moment before answering, only to hear Ben's voice on the other end. "Jamie..."
Exhaustion weighed heavily in her voice. "I'm exhausted, and I have no idea where Winnie went. If you have something to say, let's talk after I find her."
Ben's tone shifted, laced with a teasing edge. "Oh? Planning a heart-to-heart with me now?"
Her irritation flared, but she bit back her anger. "Since you're now in with her, treat hnovelbin
e
a good person.".
The teasing in his voice faded, replaced with a sharp, serious tone. "I didn't call to hear you lecture me about that."
"Then we have nothing else to say." Jamie's tone was cold, and she moved to hang up.
"You studied law," Ben said, his voice detached and icy, like a lawyer making a calculated argument. "You should know how theft of valuable property is prosecuted, especially when the amount is significant."
Jamie's expression hardened as her grip on the phone tightened. "What are you talking about?"
Ben chuckled lightly, his tone detached and taunting. "The blazer you walked out with? It's custom-made. Worth several hundred thousand."
Jamie let out a bitter laugh. "Are you threatening to call the police over that?"
"Maybe I will," Ben replied smoothly. "Let's see how it plays out, a lawyer against a janitor. What do you think the outcome will be?"
The implication in his words was crystal clear. Jamie's lips pressed into a tight line, but her voice remained steady.
"Fine. You'll get it back."
"Tonight," Ben demanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Jamie ended the call, taking a deep breath to steady herself before heading back the way she'd come.
Just a few blocks away, a black car screeched to a stop in front of Winnie Two men quickly exited, one of them gently lifting her and placing her into the car's back seat.
"Hold on," one of them said firmly, his tone reassuring. "We're taking you to the hospital now."
Winnie clung to his shirt desperately, her other hand pressed against her stomach. Her voice was weak but resolute. "Please save my baby."
This baby was her only connection to Ben. In the midst of their fragile and tumultuous relationship, she couldn't afford to lose this child. It was her only anchor.