And still, I was trapped inside my own body—unable to warn her.
Because the real danger wasn’t Ryan.
It was Claire.
She didn’t sound scared.
She sounded irritated.
“This is nonsense,” she said. “Emily had an accident.”
“Interesting accident,” Ms. Parker replied. “The brakes weren’t faulty. They were cut.”
Claire leaned close to my ear.
“That proves nothing,” she whispered.
But her hand trembled.
For the first time—
she was afraid.
“Not everyone knew she’d take that road,” Ms. Parker said. “And not everyone benefits from her death.”
Ryan forced a laugh. “Benefit? My wife is in a coma.”
“Your wife changed her will.”
The room froze.
Claire stepped back.
“That’s impossible—”
Too late.
“Impossible how?” Ms. Parker asked.
Ethan held my hand tightly.
“That document doesn’t count,” Ryan said quickly. “She wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“She was perfectly lucid,” Ms. Parker replied. “Everything is now in a trust for Ethan. And neither of you is allowed near him if anything happens to her.”
That’s when I understood.
They didn’t just want the money.
They wanted my son.
To control him.
To disappear him.
Claire’s voice turned sharp.
“This is getting out of control.”
She stepped closer again.
“Maybe we should’ve made sure she never woke up.”
Something cold entered the room.
Metal.
“Enough,” she said.
“Put it down,” Ms. Parker warned.
Then Ethan spoke.
“Aunt Claire… you said that before.”
Silence shattered.
“What?” Ryan demanded.
“I heard you,” Ethan said. “You said Mom wouldn’t sign. And Aunt Claire said one curve would fix everything.”
Claire cursed.
“Be quiet.”
But Ethan didn’t stop.
“You said you’d tell everyone she was tired… then take me away.”
Ryan stepped toward him.
“Come here.”
