Chapter 1: Crashing into Freedom

Elena Scarlet’s POV

“Mum, I’m not getting engaged to that boy! I don’t even like him!” I snapped, folding my arms, with disgust written all over my face.

She hadn’t even let me change out of my school uniform before dropping the bomb that I had an official meetup scheduled—with Adrian—that weekend.

“Elena,” she said gently, “Adrian’s mum and I made that promise when she was pregnant. It would mean the world to me if you honored it.” 

She said giving me that pleading gaze—the one that always caved me into doing whatever she wanted. 

But not today.

“I don’t care what promise you made, Mum. I’m not getting engaged to Adrian, and that’s on period!” 

My words came out louder than I intended, fueled by the anger building in my chest.

“You do not talk to your mother like that!” my dad’s voice rang angrily from the doorway. He had just walked in and looked furious.

My heart skipped; he had never shouted at me like that before.

“Now apologize,” he ordered sharply.

I swallowed hard and turned to my mom. “I… I’m sorry,” I murmured, still surprised.

Without waiting for their response, I rushed out of the room—blinking back tears as I dialed Zane's number while hurrying down the stairs.

I always thought the Adrian-marriage thing was a joke. But on my sixteenth birthday—just three weeks ago—my mom had made it official. 

Adrian and I were like two parallel lines that were never meant to meet. We had never spoken, despite going to the same school and our moms being friends. He was ice-cold, and to be honest? I preferred it that way.

Zane picked up after two rings. 

“Hey?”

“I’m tired,” I whispered through tears, stepping into the car as Francis—my driver—opened the door.

“Where are you?” Zane asked, concerned.

“Heading to Bella’s place.”

“Alright. I’ll pick you up from there,” he said and hung up.

Francis glanced at me through the mirror. “Where to, ma’am?”

“To Bella’s,” I responded with a deep sigh.

Zane and I were friends, he had this energy, this carefree way of being that made me like him. 

People at school called him a bad boy but for me, he was real, and the only one who made me feel safe whenever I felt like giving up.

I had just arrived outside Bella’s house when Zane’s black sports car pulled up. He looked like the kind of guy your mom warned you about—and he dressed the part too—piercings, tattoos, ripped jeans, combat boots, chains and rings.

“Yo, what’s up?” he asked as I climbed in.

“It’s my mom…” I started, tearing up.

“It’s okay,” he said, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear and buckling my seatbelt. “Let’s get outta here.”

He smirked slightly as he started driving. 

“You’re such a crybaby, Elena. Wanna try something new?” 

I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “What is that?” 

“I’m going bike racing with the guys. I want you to come along.” 

His eyes flicked toward me for a moment.

“Alright,” I nodded.

I needed a break from everything anyway.

***

Few hours later, we landed in Las Vegas on one of Zane’s father’s private jet. 

The crown-shaped chandelier above us sparkled softly, casting a warm glow across the room as we stepped into the private suite he had reserved. Zane walked beside me, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held his phone. 

Without a word, he moved to the couch and sank into it, draping one arm over the side as he scrolled, completely at ease—like he owned the room.

He looked up as I passed, his eyes following me slowly in that way that always made my heart flutter, even if I pretended not to notice.

“You booked all this?” I asked as I sat beside him.

“Yeah,” he said gently, looking straight at me. “You like things that shine Elena.”

We didn’t speak after that—just stared at each other for a while. 

Then he glanced down at my lips, and I knew what it meant. We both liked each other—but Zane was the kind of guy  who played with hearts like it was a game, and I wasn’t willing to be one of them.

Before the moment could go any further, I turned to the window suddenly, pretending to fix the curtain,  as my heart threatened to jump out of my chest.

***

The racing spot was an abandoned highway just outside the city with dim lights and no traffic. I watched as five bikes raced down the road, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

My phone buzzed.

I’m sorry I shouted, Elena. Where are you? Please come home. — Dad.

I scoffed. “Too late,” I muttered, slipping the phone into my bag as Zane pulled up in front of me.

“Wanna learn?” he asked with a grin.

I nodded.

He got off, came around the bike, and rested his hands lightly on my waist, then lifted me like I weighed nothing. 

My heart skipped as I sat down, feeling the hum of the engine beneath me.

“You sure it’s safe?” I asked, holding the helmet he handed me.

Zane chuckled. “Relax, Scarlet. You’re with me.”

“You hold it like this,” he said, guiding my hands to the grips from behind as his breath brushed my neck, sending chills down my body.

We rode a few laps together, and I couldn’t stop smiling. On the fourth, he got another bike from his friend.  

“Can you try it yourself now?” he asked.

I nodded, excited.

I did a full lap alone while Zane trailed me, and when I finally stopped, breathless, he laughed.

“You good now?”

“One more,” I said.

This time, I took off faster, the wind tearing past me. For the first time in forever, I felt a bit free, not like a caged bird or someone who was constantly watched.

The pressure to be perfect, to stay composed, to look flawless... it never ended. Even my own parents had no idea I battled depression for years.

I was expected to take over my father’s empire one day—a man known in every corner of the business world. But I didn’t care about mergers or boardrooms. 

I didn’t want any of it, I just wanted to live, laugh, and be messy, the way normal people get to be.

And out here, racing down an open stretch of road with Zane behind me, it was the closest I’d ever felt to that.

Then everything happened so fast.

“Elena! Slow down!” Zane’s voice rang out.

I laughed—just before I saw her—a lady—right ahead.

“Nooooooo!” I screamed, jerking the brake, but it was too late.

The bike slammed into her and I was thrown through the air.

And then everything went black.