My head slammed into the broken window, glass shards cutting into my skin. The world in that moment was a violent tumble of noise and force.
Finally, the car settled upside down with one last crushing impact.
And then, silence.
I pinched myself to be sure I was still alive, my head banging like it was about to explode. My vision was blurry, and I was sure my left shoulder was broken. The ringing in my ears was loud, the air thick with the smell of burnt tires, oil, and smoke.
Inside that wrecked vehicle, I hung upside down, blood rushing to my brain. I was stuck in there, trapped and unable to move. The more I struggled, the weaker I became.
Soon, my eyes started to shut, and I could see a blinding light. I tried to stay awake. For my wife. For our child. But I couldn’t.
I was dying. I knew I was dying, and my only regret was that I didn’t get to see our child.
“I’m sorry, Celine,” I whispered to myself.
My eyes slammed shut.
Darkness.
Chapter 27 – Celine
Something was wrong.
I could feel it.
Artur wasn’t answering his phone, and panic had set in already. It was unlike him to see my call not pick up. After a few attempts to reach him, the call stopped connecting altogether. It was as though he turned off his phone. But I knew better. He’d never do that.
“Konstantin!” I called out to him, forcing myself down the hallway. “Konstantin!”
My hands were on my waist, my swollen stomach protruding in front of me.
“Celine, what is it?” Hilda rushed over to me, her voice laced with concern.
“It’s Artur, he’s not taking my calls,” I answered. “I think he’s in trouble.”
“Maybe, he’s just caught up in traffic.” She held my hand, attempting to comfort me.
“No, you don’t understand.” I shook my head. “He’s in trouble, I can feel it.”
Konstantin rounded a corner and joined us. “What’s going on?”
“When’s the last time you heard from Artur?” I asked him.
“About two hours ago.”
“Well, he should’ve been home by now,” I said, fighting back the tears that welled in my eyes. “Please, check on him.”
“He’s probably stuck in traffic.”
“Goddamnit!” I snapped, losing my temper. “Why isn’t anyone listening to me?! My husband’s in trouble, I’m telling you!”
“Okay, I’ll make some calls.” He withdrew his phone and stormed off, treating the issue as urgent.
“Celine, you need to relax,” Hilda said, guiding me toward the living room.
“I can’t. Not until I know he’s fine.”
“You’re not supposed to be stressing yourself right now.”