Chapter 20 The Crash

​"Javier!"

​Alex's terrified shout was swallowed by the deafening screech of tires as the yellow taxi spun uncontrollably across the rain-soaked road.

​The driver gripped the steering wheel with both hands, fighting desperately to regain control. "The brakes aren't responding!"

​Nina clutched the seat in front of her, her face drained of color. "We're going to crash!"

​Without thinking, Javier wrapped both arms protectively around her stomach. 

"No... my baby..."

​The taxi skidded sideways, sliding directly toward Alex's Rolls-Royce.

​"Turn!" Alex shouted at his driver. "Now!"

​His driver yanked the steering wheel sharply. The Rolls-Royce narrowly avoided a head-on collision, but it wasn't enough. Instead, the out-of-control taxi slammed violently into the side of the luxury car.

​BANG!

​Glass exploded across the road as metal crumpled with a deafening crunch. The force of the impact sent both vehicles spinning in opposite directions before they finally came to a stop.

​For one terrifying second, everything was silent. Then, the steady sound of rain filled the air.

​Alex shoved open the damaged car door and stumbled out. Blood trickled from a cut on his forehead, but he paid it no attention.

​"Javier!" he called out, rushing toward the wrecked taxi.

​Smoke poured from the crushed engine. The driver had slumped unconscious over the steering wheel, while Nina groaned softly, clutching her injured shoulder.

​Alex grabbed the rear door where Javier was trapped and pulled with all his strength. It wouldn't budge.

​"Move!"

​He kicked the door once. Twice. On the third kick, the twisted metal finally gave way, and the damaged door swung open.

​Alex looked inside, and his heart nearly stopped.

​Javier was slumped against the seat with her eyes closed, a thin stream of blood trickling down her forehead.

​"No..." His voice trembled as he gently cupped her face. "Javier... wake up."

​Her eyelids fluttered slightly before she whispered weakly, "...Alex?"

​Relief washed over him. "I'm here," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm here."

​Through her blurred vision, she looked at him and murmured, "Our baby..."

​Alex immediately glanced down. Even unconscious, both of her hands were still wrapped protectively around her stomach.

​He nodded firmly. "Our baby will be okay. I promise."

​Suddenly, one of the security guards shouted, "Mr. Swan!"

​Alex turned sharply. About fifty meters away, a black SUV had come to a stop. Its doors swung open, and four masked men stepped out, each carrying a weapon.

​"They're coming!"

​The security guards immediately formed a protective circle around Alex and the damaged taxi. "Get Mrs. Swan out of there!"

​Without hesitation, Alex carefully lifted Javier into his arms. She winced in pain.

​"I'm sorry," he whispered. "We have to move."

​The leader of the masked men calmly raised his pistol. "Leave the woman."

​Alex's eyes blazed with fury. "Never."

​The man let out a low laugh. "So... you've finally decided to be a husband."

​Alex slowly stepped backward, shielding Javier with his own body. "If you want her," he said coldly, "you'll have to go through me."

​"I was hoping you'd say that," the masked man smiled beneath his mask as he raised his gun.

​Before he could pull the trigger, the wail of police sirens echoed through the street. Inspector David Cole's convoy sped toward the scene.

​"Police!" an officer shouted. "Drop your weapons!"

​The masked men exchanged quick glances.

​"Not today," their leader said, lowering his pistol. He tossed a smoke grenade onto the road, and a thick cloud of gray smoke instantly swallowed the area.

​By the time the smoke cleared, the attackers had vanished, leaving only their abandoned SUV behind.

​Minutes later, an ambulance raced toward St. Mary's Hospital.

​Inside the emergency unit, a doctor carefully examined Javier while Alex refused to leave her side.

​After a brief examination, the doctor looked at him. "Sir, you'll have to wait outside while we continue examining her."

​Alex immediately shook his head. "I'm staying."

​"I'm sorry, sir," the doctor replied gently. "It's hospital policy."

​Before Alex could argue again, Javier weakly reached out and took his hand. "...Please."

​The doctor hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Five minutes."

​Alex gently squeezed Javier's hand. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

​Tears rolled down Javier's cheeks. "You found me..."

​Alex lowered his head, guilt filling his heart. "I should have protected you before you ever had to leave."

​"I was so scared," Javier closed her eyes.

​"I know," Alex replied softly. "And I wasn't there."

​For the first time since their wedding anniversary, Javier didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she held onto him as though afraid to let go.

​An hour later, the doctor stepped into the waiting room. Alex immediately rose to his feet. "Doctor?"

​The doctor offered him a reassuring smile. "Mrs. Swan is stable."

​Alex released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "And the baby?" he asked anxiously.

​"The baby is safe."

​Relief washed over him. Closing his eyes briefly, he whispered, "Thank you."

​The doctor's expression soon turned serious. "However, Mrs. Swan needs complete rest. No stress. No emotional shocks. If she continues to experience this level of pressure, she could still develop serious complications later in the pregnancy."

​Alex nodded without hesitation. "I understand. I won't let anything happen to her."

​Meanwhile, inside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, the masked leader slowly removed his gloves.

​One of his men approached and lowered his head. "We failed."

​Instead of becoming angry, the masked man smiled. "No. We succeeded."

​The subordinate frowned in confusion. "But Javier survived."

​"Exactly," the masked leader nodded calmly. He turned toward a large monitor displaying live security footage from St. Mary's Hospital. On the screen, Alex sat beside Javier's hospital bed, refusing to leave her side for even a second.

​The masked man chuckled softly. "Now he'll never let her out of his sight." He picked up a chess piece and placed it carefully on the board before him. "The king has moved... exactly where we wanted him."

​At that moment, another figure emerged from the shadows. The person's face remained hidden, and only a cold voice broke the silence.

​"Is it finally time to tell Alex who started all of this?"

​The masked leader's smile deepened. "Not yet. He still doesn't know that the very first betrayal came from inside his own family."