Chapter 1

“Mr. Ford, the crash site is still dangerous. You can’t go in right now.”

“We’ve already contacted the rescue team. The ambulance will be here any minute.”

“Mr. Ford…”

“Get out of my way! If anything happens to her because you're wasting my time, I’ll make you all pay for it!”

Amid the wave of chaotic noise in her ears, that furious shout pulled Stella Spencer out of the darkness of unconsciousness after the crash.

She struggled to look toward the sound and saw a familiar, tall figure nearby. He was rushing toward her like a savior.

Tears of relief filled Stella’s eyes.

After the accident, she had been trapped in the overturned car for what felt like an eternity.

She truly thought Hunter Ford wasn’t coming.

Before the accident, they had been in the middle of a massive fight. The night before, they had agreed to meet at the office, but Hunter had stood her up after a morning phone call. He had ignored all her follow-up calls. When the crash happened, she used the last of her battery to send her location to his secretary.

She had thought Hunter would ignore her message again, just like he always had.

She never expected this.

“Baby… there’s hope… Daddy is here…”

Stella looked at the blood still flowing beneath her and clung to that last shred of hope.

Ignoring the dizziness and nausea surging through her, she tried to call out Hunter’s name. But the moment she opened her mouth, she realized her throat was so hoarse that no sound came out.

It did not matter. Hunter had already found her. She forced herself to lift her weak arm, trying to wave at him.

The next second, Hunter ran straight past her without stopping.

Stella froze.

She thought he must have mistaken her for someone else.

She was not driving a car from the Ford family estate today. That car had been taken by Hunter’s younger sister that morning. The car she was in now was a gift from her mom, one she rarely drove. It was normal that Hunter did not recognize it.

Stella had no time to think further. Summoning what little strength she had left, she tried to call his name.

But the heavy blood loss had already drained her. Her voice was as faint as a whisper.

Hunter did not hear her. He walked farther and farther away until he stopped in front of the white car that had caused the accident.

Before Stella could process what was happening, Hunter pulled open the car door and gathered a trembling woman into his arms.

The woman wore a long coat. She was slim, elegant, and looked utterly fragile.

When Stella saw her face, her blood turned cold.

It was Hunter’s first love, Gwen York.

The realization struck her. Earlier, that car had been cutting lanes recklessly, then came after her with no warning, chasing her down like a maniac.

Now it rested quietly by the roadside, as if innocent and hurt, while its owner was wrapped in Hunter’s embrace.

Stella didn't have the energy to wonder why Gwen was back in the country or why she had happened to crash into her specifically. She only cared about saving her baby.

“Mr. Ford, there’s someone else in that other car!”

As Stella struggled to tap on the window, one of Hunter’s bodyguards spotted movement inside her wreck. The car looked vaguely familiar, and he couldn't help but shout out.

Hunter glanced over.

Inside the car, the woman’s face was covered in blood, and fresh red blood continued to pour from her body. She looked battered and miserable, yet beneath the blood, her features were still unmistakably delicate.

She seemed somewhat familiar.

Hunter hesitated for a split second, but then Gwen let out a soft, pained moan in his arms.

“Gwen is injured. Clear a path to the hospital immediately.”

Hunter did not spare another thought for anything else.

“But Mr. Ford—”

Before the bodyguard could finish, Hunter’s icy gaze cut him off. The words died in his throat. “Yes, sir.”

Stella watched helplessly as Hunter’s eyes paused on her for just a single moment before he picked Gwen up and strode back to the car.

“Hunter, save me! Save our baby…”

Stella tried to cry out, but the moment she opened her mouth, a mouthful of blood choked her voice.

No one paid her any attention anymore.

Hunter’s car sped away with Gwen inside.

Stella stared at the car as it disappeared into the distance. Her gaze unfocused for a split second. Then, in the next moment, a tearing, unbearable pain swept through her like a flood.

She could not hold on any longer.

Darkness closed in, and she lost consciousness once again.