No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"The accident she mentioned... wasn't that the crash that killed my parents?

So, Ernest's dad was bribed to cause it?! That hit me like a ton of bricks.

Trying to steady my pounding heart, I looked at Shirley And asked, "Who's spreading these rumors, and is there any proof?"

She seemed oblivious to my agitation and shook her head lightly. "No clue, just whispers here and there. People around him are scared stiff. If he finds out who's been talking, they're as good as dead." "Can you dig around for more info?" My question made her turn back to look at me.

This time, she sensed something was off and gave a slight chuckle. "Why are you so interested in this all of a sudden?"

I hesitated, but deciding to trust her with the truth, I confessed, "Because the couple in that accident were my parents, and the driver... was my ex-boyfriend's father."

Shirley's eyes widened in shock.

I grabbed her arm, "That's why I need to know if it's true. I need evidence."

Her fake eyelashes fluttered. "You want my help?"

I knew we weren't exactly friends; there was a time she wanted to be friends, and I had turned her down.

deeply ironic. But she resented Lord, and since she was one of his insiders, plus the one who'd mentioned the rumor, she might be able to track down the source

there's no smoke without fire. If

Even if it meant swallowing my pride

hope

"We're not even friends. I could say

can be petty, and she remembered how

her expression, it was clear she was

be friends," I countered, trying

loud. "Is this

it's asking for help," I clarified. Even though I

showing too much desperation puts you

having me as a friend. So, if she helped me, I'd

someone raised

so confident. Alright 'll try. But just a try, and can't

her agreement didn't ease my anxiety; it heightened it. Lord had no known vendetta against my parents, so why target

I asked her as we were leaving, "What are you planning

touched her still-flat belly. "I'll fight for

up, I leaned