An accident

Knox,

"I am sorry, Knox! I know that I am a bit stressed about everything. But if you explain properly, maybe Violet will be less disappointed?"

Sarah Smith, two years older than me, smiled bitterly, her lips pressing into a tight line as she lowered her gaze. Her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped her coffee cup, her knuckles turning white. The warmth of the drink seemed to offer little comfort as she exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself.

I had met her last year at a family gathering—an event I had little interest in. Though I never sought marriage, our conversations had flowed easily, and somehow, we had ended up here.

She was the complete opposite of Violet. Where Violet’s presence burned like wildfire, Sarah was gentle, soft-spoken—an ideal match for Silverfang’s expectations.

“She’ll be fine,” I murmured, my voice flat as I stared out the window. My jaw clenched slightly, and a flicker of uncertainty passed through my eyes. "She’s just upset that I didn’t meet her for a while."

Sarah’s shoulders dropped, and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something. Instead, she simply nodded, stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

Marriage, love, and family were never in my plans. I had built my life around freedom—freedom from attachments, expectations, and the suffocating weight of responsibility. Violet and I had made a pact. No marriage. No kids. No burdens.

Yet here I was.

My expression remained unreadable, but beneath the surface, my mind churned with conflict. I might have been a man who dominated the world with arrogance, but before my family, my will meant nothing.

“Mr. Silverfang!” Sarah’s voice pulled me back. Her brows knitted together as she tapped the table, a mix of amusement and impatience in her gaze.

I blinked.

The wedding was next month.

And I wasn’t sure if Violet would ever forgive me.

“Mr. Silverfang! Are you listening to me?” Sarah waved her hand, her lips curving into a soft smile, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her hazel eyes.

"Uh, yeah. What’s wrong?" I asked, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, my expression carefully neutral.

“It’s about the heir,” she said hesitantly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t you think it’s a bit complicated? Maybe we can try to make them understand the situation. We can’t just bring a child into this when we both are—” She stopped abruptly, her brows furrowing.

Her lips parted slightly, then closed again as if unsure whether she should continue.

I inhaled deeply, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. I knew what she was trying to say.

"Ms. Smith, don't worry about it," I said, leaning back. My expression remained calm, unreadable, though my jaw tightened. "I will take responsibility for everything. I know this is sudden, but both our families have already agreed on it."

Sarah’s brows lifted, her lips pressing together before she exhaled a soft chuckle. “No, please don’t misunderstand!” She gave me a small, genuine smile, though a flicker of uncertainty remained in her eyes. “I really do want to have a child. Being a mother, having my own family—it’s my dream. And I’m fine with doing this. But what about you? When we first met, you said you weren’t interested in marriage and kids."

I forced a small smile, my fingers tightening slightly around the coffee cup. "I’m fine."

The words felt foreign even as they left my lips.

Violet and I had made a promise—one I had shattered. Would she understand?

Sarah reached across the table, her fingers grazing mine gently. A hesitant warmth lingered in her touch, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.

"Then," she whispered, "please help me fulfill my dream of being a mother."

My gaze flickered to her hand against mine.

It was strange. I had never felt a romantic connection to anyone—not to Sarah, not even to Violet in that way. Yet, here I was, sitting across from a woman who wanted something real.

Something I never thought I’d give to anyone.

Sarah’s lips curled into a soft smile, her eyes filled with hope. She was waiting.

Maybe, for once, I could be what my family wanted. Maybe I could be someone’s husband. Someone’s father.

Maybe… this would be alright. And I knew that Violet would get upset but at the end of the day, she would support me.

After dinner, we decided to head back to my apartment. The silence between us was comfortable, but my mind was anything but.

Violet was upset—I knew that much. But I couldn't let her walk away.

I needed her in my life.

I had even bought her a gift to make up for everything.

"Mr. Silverfang," Sarah called my name as I drove.

"Yes?" I responded, keeping my focus on the road.

"How about letting me meet your best friend?" she suggested, her tone light but cautious. “I mean, if my best friend hid something this big from me and stopped me from going on an important business trip, I’d be upset too. Maybe if I explain everything, she’ll understand?”

My grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Sarah was kind—too kind. But Violet… Violet wasn’t someone you simply explained things to. She was someone you fought for.

"Don't worry," I said, forcing a chuckle. "Violet is an understanding person, but a bit scary. How about meeting her later? You should get comfortable with everything first, right?"

Sarah’s lips parted slightly before she smiled, shaking her head. Before I could react, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.

"Thank you for being so understanding and considerate, Mr. Silverfang. I can’t wait to be your bride!"

My breath hitched, my body tensing at the unexpected warmth.

My fingers instinctively wrapped around her wrist.

"Ms. Smith, it's dangerous to distract me while I’m driving."

She giggled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Sorry! I'm just really happy that you understand me."

She was adorable in her own way.

Glancing at the time, I decided to take a U-turn. Maybe I’d stop somewhere and pick up something extra for Violet—something that would make her forgive me.

But before I could slow down, a blinding light flashed across the road.

My heart slammed against my chest.

"Damn!" I hissed, gripping the wheel. My pulse spiked as the blinding light swallowed my vision.

A truck, Losing its control and Racing toward us.

Sarah gasped, her fingers clenching the seatbelt. "Knox—!"

The impact was instant.

CRASH!

The world tilted violently. Metal groaned, glass shattered, and Sarah’s scream ripped through the air.

Pain exploded in my skull. My head slammed against the window.

Blood. The scent of gasoline. The distant sound of sirens. My vision blurred as I turned toward her.

"Ms. Smith!" I rasped.

She wasn’t moving.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest tightening with panic. My trembling fingers reached for her, but my body felt like lead.

The darkness crept in.