Chapter 452

Vanessa abruptly reduced her speed, catching Evelyn completely off guard. Even with slamming on the brakes, Evelyn's car still crashed into Vanessa's.

Her first thought was, Has she lost her mind? If she wants to end herself, why involve me?

Once the initial shock faded, Evelyn stepped out of her car and approached Vanessa's window, rapping sharply on the glass.

The window rolled down, revealing Vanessa's ghostly pale face. Then Evelyn noticed the blood smeared across the leather seats.

Vanessa slumped back against the headrest, her breathing shallow. Evelyn's eyes widened. "The dashcam recorded everything. This was your doing—don't even think of blaming me," she snapped.

"My baby—" Vanessa gasped, her fingers tightening around Evelyn's wrist. "Please... call an ambulance."

Evelyn was speechless. How could Vanessa be so reckless? Despite their enmity, the child was innocent. It was unthinkable that she would endanger her own baby just to frame her.

Vanessa had acted in blind fury, swerving in front of Evelyn's car without considering the consequences.

Now, the searing pain and the blood terrified her. Her pregnancy had been fragile from the start—frequent hospital visits, doctors insisting on bed rest.

And now, this.

All because of her own recklessness.

The situation couldn't have been worse.

A minor collision had triggered severe bleeding. Vanessa had been feeling discomfort in her abdomen for days, though the cause remained unclear.

Regret washed over her in waves. She had only meant to frighten Evelyn, not cause an actual accident. Now, she was the one suffering the consequences.

Her gaze locked onto Evelyn, bitterness rising in her throat.

Why was Evelyn completely unharmed while she was in agony?

The crash had occurred near the Hawthorne Estate. Hearing the commotion, Richard and Margaret rushed outside.

Richard took one look at the scene and immediately lashed out at Evelyn. "What were you thinking? We were just inside trying to smooth things over, and now you ram into Vanessa?"

"Calm down!" Margaret snapped, shooting Richard a sharp glare. "My daughter is pregnant! If you upset her, I swear you'll regret it! And how do you know Evelyn did this on purpose?"

Richard's stomach twisted with worry.

Vanessa was carrying the child of one of Cresthaven's most powerful families—a potential heir to billions.

Her position in the Caldwell family was already precarious. This baby was her only lifeline, her only guarantee of security.

If anything happened to it, all her scheming would be for nothing.

A cold dread slithered down his spine. "In a rear-end collision, the car behind is usually at fault!"

"Don't jump to conclusions," Margaret countered. "From where I'm standing, it looks like Vanessa swerved recklessly!"

As they argued, Vanessa clutched her stomach, her face pale.

"Stop fighting!" she gasped. "Can someone just take me to the hospital?"

Secret Longing: A Love Reborn After Betrayal...