Chapter 164: An emergency

Braelyn’s POV

I was anticipating peak entertainment when Adelina suddenly went rigid and didn’t finish the dare. Her face went ghostly pale and I immediately knew something was wrong. There was this sick feeling in my stomach.

Her phone was still to her ear, but all colour had drained from her face. Adel was still frozen in place when Casper’s voice rang.

He sprang up from his seat

“What do you mean by accident?” he roared, his hand shaking as he held his own phone clamped to his ear. His eyes were wild, darting around the room. Karis gave Xander a wary look and grabbed his hand tightly. She was scared so was I. Who has gotten into a car accident?

I didn’t know what was said on the phone, but his face paled all this while Adel was still frozen in place “Where is she? Is she hurt? Hospital..which one? Talk to me!” he barked.

Mikhail’s gaze darkened, and Casper gave him a wary look

He didn’t wait for answers. His face twisted with complex emotions, fear and rage mixed together, and he grabbed his keys so hard they clattered against the wood. “Police station?” he repeated, voice cracking with disbelief. “Why the fuck is she in custody if her car’s totalled? What aren’t you telling me?”

He was already moving, shoulders hunched like he was bracing against a blow. “I’m on my way. Don’t let anyone near her until I get there.” A final snarl into the phone, and he was gone door slamming behind him, footsteps thundering down the hall and out into the night.

Adel stared into the distance, she gave Mikhail a last look before mumbling something about having to go. She didn’t even give him a chance; she snatched her bag and was out of the room before anyone could properly react.

I just sat there, blinking, completely stunned. What on earth…? One second, she was about to make out with her lover’s best friend as revenge, and the next, she was gone, like someone had yanked her out of the game by invisible strings.

Everyone else looked as baffled as I felt. The easy chatter died instantly.

Karis’s lips parted, and she whispered, but everyone heard it because of how quiet it was. “It’s already past midnight, they might get into an accident, especially with how furious Casper was.” The room felt colder once she said that. Mikhail was giving this very thick and intense pressure that was choking.

Mikhail stood up almost immediately, “I will go have a look..” he muttered something about checking on things, and disappeared after Adelina.

I glanced around the table, and everyone was still shell-shocked; the fun sucked right out of the air.

My gaze drifted to Lucien beside me. He hadn’t moved, hadn’t spoken. Just sat there, dark eyes fixed on the empty doorway, jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle twitch.

“I guess the fun is over. Glad I didn’t drink much.” He muttered groaning as he rubbed his face

“You don’t seriously plan on driving this dark. ” I muttered before him.

He tilted his head. “Mikhail will provide rooms but I honestly need to go out for a drive. You can stay the night here. It is safer than that ghost house.”

My eyes twitched. ” My parents’ villa isn’t a ghost house, Lucien.” I hissed. He arched a brow at me.

“I literally felt the air brush past me with chills this morning. I am sure that place is haunted. Just stay here, and I will get you in the morning when my head is clearer,” he insisted.

I snorted at him, while tension was eating up the room. We were bickering like an old couple in whispers. Karis gave me a curious look. I lowered my tone. “Like hell if you think I will let you do whatever crazy shit you have in your mind.”

Lucien smirked. “I didn’t know you were ready to be my ride or die.” I rolled my eyes at him. I had things I needed to talk about with Lucien. The more I get to know him, the more I realise I have no idea who Lucien Volkov was.

After what felt like forever, Mikhail came back alone, looking rattled. He rubbed the back of his neck. ” There is an emergency,” he said quietly. “Casper’s sister, Petra, who is also Adelina’s roommate, was involved in a fatal accident. Casper’s already gone to deal with it.”

That was why Casper and Adelina were called. A ripple of concern went round the table. I remembered Casper’s call, and he mentioned something about an accident, custody, and a totalled car. None of it sounded good. I didn’t know who Petra was but I hoped she was fine.

Mikhail glanced out the window at the pitch-black grounds. “It’s late, roads are awful. You lot might as well stay here tonight..there’s plenty of room.”

A few people nodded, murmuring agreement. Mikhail’s estate was miles from anywhere civilised; driving now would be grim. But Lucien spoke for the first time that night, voice low and decisive.

“No. We’ll leave,” he mentioned. “I have something to handle.”.

Mikhail nodded in agreement. “Be careful. There are stray wolves in the woods.” And that gave me chills. I gave Lucien a glance hoping he would change his mind.

“I am sure they can’t outrun my car,” Lucien smirked.

There was no arguing with that tone. The others shrugged, gathered their things, and we all filed out in an awkward, subdued silence.

As we headed towards the front doors, I hung back a little.

“Go ahead and wait at the door. I have to talk quickly with Mikhail.” Lucien had paused to exchange a few quiet words with Mikhail. It seemed like something serious, from the looks of it.

“Please don’t take long.” I nodded then slipped ahead into the foyer. I spotted a figure ahead that piqued my interest.

There she was: Adelina, pacing under the chandelier like a caged animal, arms wrapped tight around herself. She looked beyond worried sick.

She noticed me from ahead and slowed down, staring at me with curiosity. I’d been curious about her all night. Now, seeing her like this, I couldn’t just walk past without saying something.

“Hi,” I said softly, stepping closer.

She jumped, slightly startled that I spoke to her, then managed a tired smile. “Oh, Braelyn. Sorry for… bolting like that. Ruined the evening, didn’t I?”

“Don’t be silly,” I said. “Is everything okay? Well..obviously not, but… your roommate?”

Adelina shook her head. “I don’t know yet. Casper shot off, and Mikhail won’t let me follow alone. Says it’s not safe or whatever.” She rolled her eyes, but the worry underneath was plain.

We stood there for a moment, we were strangers really, sharing only this strange night. The farewell felt awkward with just polite smiles, not much to say.

As I turned to go, something made me lean in and whisper, “Hey..don’t take Mikhail’s shit, yeah? No man’s worth killing yourself over.”

I knew she was in a complex relationship with Mikhail but after having a failed marriage. I didn’t think any man was worth the stress.

Her eyes widened, startled, as I’d seen straight through her. But she forced a small, understanding smile and nodded. “It’s not that simple..” she muttered.

“Mikhail and I..” she hesitated like she had a lot to say. Before she could say anything else, footsteps echoed behind me.

Lucien’s presence drew closer and she clamped her mouth.

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