Side Chick's Joyride, Fiancé's Meltdown

Pain seared through me. I couldn't move.

Sophia aimed her stiletto heel at my eye. One press and it'd pop like a grape.

Marco's guards loomed nearby, gripping bats like they couldn't wait for a reason.

I didn't stand a chance.

"S-Sorry, Ms. Caro..." I gasped, desperate. "Please... I have a patient waiting. I'm begging you. Let me go."

For a second, she actually looked surprised.

Then she yanked my hair and slammed my head into the floor.

"Lying to me when you're about to die?!" she shrieked. "You think playing doctor's some kind of game? You're not even a real driver—and even if you WERE a doctor, I could still kill you just like that!"

I tried to cover my head.

She stomped on my fingers.

I screamed, shaking, whispering, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

As a surgeon, my hands were everything. One wrong break, and I'd never hold a scalpel again.

"Scared now?" Sophia sneered. "Too late."

She pointed at my car. "Didn't you wanna drive? Let's make it fun."

With a flick of her hand, the guards rushed me. Tied me up. Dragged me to the back of the car.

I started trembling. I knew exactly what she was about to do.

"I'll die!" Panic closed in fast. "You can't—"

Smack.

She slapped me hard. Then tossed a fat stack of bills in my face.

"Twenty grand—for your life." The guards laughed. "Ms. Caro once ran someone over in this car without a license. Paid only ten grand. You should feel honored."

The engine roared.

Next thing I knew, I was being dragged across scorching pavement.

Sophia hit the gas and swerved hard, laughing as my body slammed into thorny rose bushes.

Skin shredded. Blood mixed with dirt and gravel.

I was wearing a light outfit—nothing to protect me. At this rate, I wouldn't make it.

Then the car stopped.

Sophia stepped out, moving like she was on stage. "Tsk tsk. I thought you'd at least scream. I've done this to five people. You're the dullest."

I couldn't reply.

One of the guards had already taped my mouth shut.

Satisfied, she climbed back in.

This time, she veered onto a sand road.

Grains sliced into my wounds, grinding deeper with every bump.

My elbows and ankles were shredded—bone nearly showing.

Pain blurred everything.

I wanted my heart to stop. Just give out. End it.

Right as I was about to black out—Sophia slammed the brakes.