The night was quiet, the soft hum of the city filling the air. Mr. Wolfe was seated in the back seat of his sleek black car, his driver navigating the winding roads that led to his estate. The headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the empty street ahead.
Mr. Wolfe leaned back, his thoughts clouded. The conversation with Mr. Davenport had weighed on him more than he cared to admit. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, his mind replaying every word. He approved the divorce between Lina and Damian, but something about the situation still felt unresolved.
The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “Sir, we’ll be home in about 20 minutes,” he said politely.
Mr. Wolfe barely nodded, his eyes fixed out the window. He didn’t reply, lost in thought.
Suddenly, the sound of a loud horn shattered the quiet night. The driver looked up, his eyes widening in panic as he saw headlights speeding toward them from the opposite lane.
“Hold on, sir!” the driver shouted, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Everything happened in a blur. The oncoming car swerved erratically, its tires screeching against the pavement. The driver tried to maneuver out of the way, but the other vehicle was too fast.
The impact was violent, the sound of metal crunching against metal echoing through the night. Mr. Wolfe was thrown forward, his head slamming against the back of the front seat. The car spun wildly before crashing into a nearby pole, the force of the collision crumpling the front of the vehicle.
Smoke billowed from the engine as the shattered glass glinted in the dim light. The driver groaned, blood dripping from a cut on his forehead. He turned back weakly, his voice shaking. “Sir… are you okay?”
Mr. Wolfe didn’t respond. His body was slumped against the seat, motionless. Blood trickled down the side of his face, staining his expensive suit. The driver tried to unbuckle his seatbelt, his hands trembling, but his strength was fading fast.
A passerby rushed to the scene, their voice frantic as they called emergency services. “There’s been an accident! Two people are trapped in the car!”
The ambulance arrived within minutes, the flashing red and blue lights casting eerie shadows on the wreckage. Paramedics worked quickly, pulling the driver out first.
“He’s alive,” one of them said, checking his pulse. “But he needs immediate attention.”
They moved to the back seat, their faces grim as they examined Mr. Wolfe. One of the paramedics shook his head, his voice heavy. “No pulse,” he said quietly. “He’s gone.”
The driver, barely conscious on the stretcher, heard the words and let out a weak gasp. “No… no…” he mumbled, his voice filled with despair.
News of the accident spread quickly. By the time Damian got the call, he was sitting in Aurora’s hospital room, his hand resting on hers.
His phone buzzed, and he answered it without looking at the caller ID. “This is Damian,” he said, his voice low.
“Mr. Wolfe,” the voice on the other end said hesitantly. “There’s been an accident. Your father…”
Damian’s heart sank. “What happened?” he demanded, sitting up straighter.
“There was a car crash,” the caller explained. “I’m sorry to inform you, but your father didn’t survive.”
The words hit Damian like a punch to the gut. He stood up, his mind racing. “What about the driver?” he asked, his voice tight.
“He’s in critical condition,” the caller said. “But he’s alive.”
Damian’s chest tightened. He ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts spinning. His relationship with his father had always been strained, but the news still left him reeling.
“I’ll be there,” he said shortly, ending the call.
He turned to Raphael, who had just walked into the room. “Raphael,” Damian said, his voice trembling slightly.
“What’s wrong?” Raphael asked, concern etched on his face.
“It’s Father,” Damian said. “He’s… he’s gone.”
Raphael’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “How?”
“Car accident,” Damian replied, his jaw tightening. “I need to go.”
Raphael stepped forward, placing a hand on Damian’s shoulder. “Do you need me to come with you?” he asked.
Damian shook his head. “Stay here,” he said firmly. “Take care of things while I’m gone.”
Raphael nodded, his expression somber. “Be careful,” he said quietly.
Damian left the hospital, his mind heavy with the weight of what had happened. The drive to the morgue felt endless, the silence in the car amplifying his thoughts.