Chapter 254

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden streaks across the horizon as two women found themselves drawn to the ocean for entirely different reasons.

Evelyn Carter had spent her childhood surrounded by endless fields and rolling hills, the scent of earth and wildflowers her constant companions. The vast, untamed sea was a mystery she longed to unravel.

Sophia Grant, on the other hand, sought inspiration. Though she had visited the shore before, the memories were distant, faded like an old photograph. She barely recalled the sensation of sand between her toes or the salt-kissed breeze against her skin. Perhaps this time, she would see it with fresh eyes.

After settling on their destination, the only hurdle left was securing permission from their formidable CEO, Alexander Kensington. Coordinating with Victoria Sterling’s schedule was another challenge, but luck seemed to be on their side.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they finalized the details. Evelyn scrolled through her phone, then abruptly lifted her gaze, hesitating before finally voicing the question that had been gnawing at her.

"Did you hear about Dominic Reeves? The bastard ended up in the hospital after a car accident."

Sophia’s fingers stilled. "I saw the news."

She had been on the phone with Evelyn when the report flashed across the screen. For a moment, she thought it must be a mistake—some other unfortunate soul sharing Dominic’s name. But the confirmation came swiftly: the CEO of DR Holdings, the man she once loved, had nearly met his end on a quiet stretch of road.

Dominic had always been meticulous behind the wheel, a man who calculated risks and avoided recklessness. Yet the footage showed a scene of devastation—shattered glass, twisted metal, a tree split from the force of impact. If the reporter had declared him dead at the scene, she might have believed it.

"Karma’s a bitch," Evelyn muttered, tapping the table lightly. "The road was empty. No alcohol, no drugs. Just him and his car. So why the hell did he plow straight into a tree?"

Sophia hadn’t dug into the details as deeply as Evelyn had. But now, the strangeness of it settled over her like a shadow.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Evelyn prodded.

Sophia exhaled, feigning indifference. "What thoughts? It’s not my business anymore."

She wasn’t entirely unaffected—Dominic had been a significant part of her life, the man she once thought she’d spend forever with. But that love had withered, poisoned by betrayal, legal battles, and his relentless attempts to smear her name.

He was alive. That was all that mattered. Or so she told herself.

Evelyn, however, wasn’t satisfied. "That’s not the point. Doesn’t it strike you as… eerie?"

Sophia frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You really don’t care, do you?" Evelyn sighed dramatically before lowering her voice, glancing around as if someone might overhear. "No intoxication. No other cars. Just him, alone in that car. So tell me—do you think something else was in there with him?"

Sophia blinked. "What?"

Evelyn leaned in, eyes wide with theatrical suspicion. "A ghost."

Sophia stared at her, then burst into laughter. "You’re ridiculous."

But as the words hung between them, an inexplicable chill crept down her spine.