Chapter 9
Gillian's heart nearly stopped as she recognized Ashton's car twisted in the wreck. For a moment, she could barely breathe, every muscle frozen with shock.
Snapping into action, she dashed to the driver's side, voice trembling as she called out, "Ashton! Are you okay? Can you hear me?"
A beat of silence followed. Then Ashton's strained voice drifted out, clipped and impatient. "Yeah, it's me. Get me out of here, now."
Relief battled with dread as Gillian and the rescue team worked frantically, prying the warped window open and dragging Ashton out. Her hand caught on a jagged edge of glass, leaving a deep gash, but she barely noticed.
She dropped to her knees beside him, blood oozing from her hand. "Are you hurt anywhere else? Was anyone with you?"
Before she could even check him over, Ashton recoiled from her touch, jaw set in annoyance. "Meagan's still trapped up front. Help her first!"
The rescue crew immediately turned their focus to the passenger side, fighting to free Meagan from the mangled car.
Gillian froze there, her mind spinning. Everything Nina had said, the phone call, Meagan's voice—suddenly it all made sickening sense.
So Ashton really had betrayed her. And the other woman was none other than her own adoptive sister, Meagan.
It felt as if her chest had been crushed, sorrow spreading in all directions.
How could Ashton do this, knowing full well how she felt about Meagan?
Memories flooded back. After Gillian's childhood abduction, Fritz had adopted Meagan, while her mother's health deteriorated from grief.
After her mother's passing, Fritz remarried, Gillian was eventually found, but her return didn't make Fritz cherish her—his affection reserved only for Meagan.
Even though every part of it hurt, Gillian kept her pain silent. Meanwhile, Meagan never stopped trying to take what was hers.
Gillian could bear a lot, but this was a line Meagan should never have crossed.
Her voice cracked as she finally asked, "Ashton, what's going on with you and Meagan?"
For a split second, embarrassment flickered in Ashton's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. He pressed a hand to his bloodied forehead and glared at her.
"Do we really have to get into this now? Focus on Meagan. If anything happens to her, I'll break off our engagement right here."
Ashton turned away, refusing to meet Gillian's eyes.
She knelt in silence, her face finally hardening as cold calm settled over her.
"Fine," Gillian said, standing up and stepping toward the battered sports car where Meagan was still pinned in the passenger seat.
After a few forceful tugs, the door creaked open, barely hanging on its hinges.
Meagan's leg was wedged deep in the wreckage, and no amount of gentle maneuvering from the rescue team could free her. Their only option was to saw through the crumpled front panel.
One of the medics glanced at Gillian. "Dr. Brown, check her injuries while we set up the tools."
Gillian nodded and leaned in, quickly scanning Meagan's injuries. Aside from a dislocated arm and a few bruises, nothing looked life-threatening.
She positioned her hands and looked Meagan in the eye. "This is going to hurt. Take a deep breath."
With practiced skill, she gave Meagan's arm a sharp, careful twist, popping the bone back into place. A high-pitched scream burst from Meagan's lips.
"What the hell are you doing, Gillian?" Ashton's furious voice echoed behind her.
Gillian straightened up, voice cold and steady. "Her arm was out of joint. I fixed it. There's no other option."
She reached for a roll of plaster from the kit, but Meagan kept wailing. "Stop! Please, it hurts! Gillian, please, don't pull on my arm—please, stop!"
The nonstop sobbing grated on Gillian's nerves. She frowned. "I'm not even using much force..."
Before she could finish, Ashton stormed over, limping, anger written across his face. "Are you punishing her on purpose? You don't need to be that rough with bandages."
Meagan seized the moment, sniffling. "Ashton, maybe she's mad because of us. She's doing this on purpose, isn't she?"
Ashton glared at Gillian. "Is that it? Are you letting your jealousy get in the way of your job? Maybe your director needs to know about this."
Gillian's jaw tightened, but she kept her tone level. "Oil's leaking from the engine and this car could blow at any minute. Is now really the time for your little drama?"
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