Emily smiled, shaking her head. She was lucky to have Sarah and Kevin. Without them, who knows how this nightmare would’ve ended.
Her phone rang, shattering the quiet. She checked the ID.
“Yes, Ethan, hello,” she answered, her voice softening.
“Emily, hi,” Ethan said. He sounded anxious. “Not interrupting? Can you talk?”
“Sure,” Emily smiled, walking over to the window.
“Any news for me?” he asked eagerly.
“No dashcam, sorry,” she said, hating to disappoint him. “I think it’s long gone. It’s direct evidence against James, and he wouldn’t keep it.”
“Honestly, I know,” Ethan sighed, the deflation evident in his tone. “I’d destroy it too.”
“But I’ve got good news,” Emily said, gazing out the window.
“What?” Ethan perked up.
“James recovered from the accident and is doing fine. He’s been faking the wheelchair for God knows how long.”
She watched the summer sunset through the glass. The fiery orb sank slowly below the horizon, its dying rays painting the clouds in vivid streaks of crimson and deep purple. Emily was momentarily captivated by the raw beauty of it.
“Hello, Emily?” Ethan called out. “Still there?”
“Yes,” she snapped back to reality. “Sorry, I got lost in the sunset. It’s stunning, like a kid’s wonder.”
“I agree,” Ethan smiled on the other end. “Summer sunsets have something thrilling about them. So, James isn’t disabled anymore,” his tone turned serious. “That’s something.”
“Yes,” Emily nodded. “Sorry to let you down on the camera.”
“You’re not to blame,” Ethan sighed. “I’ll keep searching for proof of my innocence.”
“If you need help, call me,” Emily offered suddenly. The words left her mouth before she could overthink them.
“Will do,” he promised. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Emily ended the call, staring out the window as the purple faded to black. Life was so unpredictable. Days ago, she thought she had it all—a husband, a mother-in-law, a duty. Now everything had flipped. She’d lived in a fog, blind to her surroundings.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Sarah approached, breaking her reverie.
“Nothing much,” Emily waved off. “Find anything?”
“No,” Sarah sighed sadly.
“I’ve got an idea,” Emily said, turning to her friends. “I’ll offer James a deal. If he admits guilt in the accident, I won’t claim the car wash in the divorce.”
Waking the next morning, Emily felt drained. The past few days had exhausted her, body and soul. She wanted to close her eyes and open them only when it was all over. Too bad she didn’t have a time machine; she’d fix so many moments in her life.
“You up?” Sarah peeked in, sitting on the edge of the guest bed. “How you feeling?”
“Like a tank ran me over,” Emily groaned, pulling the duvet up.
“Understandable,” Sarah nodded sympathetically. “So much hit you at once. Plans for today?”
“Visit Lauren to check on her,” Emily said thoughtfully, sitting up. “Then notify the tenants in my apartment to move out. I’ll ask them to vacate quickly.”
“Don’t you like staying with us? Stay as long as you need,” Sarah raised her eyebrows. “We don’t mind.”
“I feel bad for your husband,” Emily admitted. “You spent all day yesterday sorting my mess, and now you’re letting me live here like a squatter.”
“Emily, say that again, and I’ll be mad,” Sarah warned, pointing a finger. “You put so much effort into pulling me out of the mess I was in years ago.”
“Your debt’s more than paid,” Emily countered. “Stop talking nonsense.”
“You stop,” Sarah snapped playfully. “We’re friends. Let’s stop keeping score of who owes what. I help because my heart says so. Got it?”
“Thanks,” Emily hugged her, tears of gratitude welling up again.
Just then, Kevin appeared in the doorway, wearing an apron. “Girls, can I come in?” he asked. Seeing their tears, he froze. “What’s wrong?”
“All good,” Sarah sniffled, wiping her eyes. “We had a heart-to-heart.”
“Phew, you scared me,” Kevin exhaled. “Thought something happened again. Everything’s fine,” Emily smiled. “Now, quick to the bathroom to wash up,” Kevin ordered. “Then to the kitchen. I made awesome pancakes.”
“What a great husband,” Sarah grinned. “I’m jealous of myself sometimes.”
“Don’t be—kiss me instead.” Kevin hugged his wife.
God, they’re at it again, Emily thought, happy for Sarah but feeling a pang of loneliness. She slipped out of bed and darted to the bathroom.
After breakfast, the friends drove to the hospital to see Lauren, stopping to buy a basket of fresh fruit.
“Girls, why so much?” Lauren teared up, touched by their care as they entered her room. Looking at Emily, she blushed crimson. “I’m so ashamed before you.”
“For what?” Emily frowned, setting the basket down.
“For James,” Lauren looked down at her hands. “Dating him, I thought awful things about you, wished you the worst. James said you were sick, mentally unstable, and his conscience wouldn’t let him leave you.”
“Lauren, don’t sweat it,” Emily smiled, surprisingly calm. “Focus on your baby. What’s the doctor say? All clear?”
“Danger’s passed,” Lauren rubbed her belly protectively. “When James rejected the baby, I thought I wouldn’t keep it. But when I almost lost my baby…” Her voice trembled.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Sarah approached. “All’s well. You’re in a magical time, expecting a child. Forget bad thoughts.”
“Lauren, think of your baby,” Emily said. “Your child is a huge gift from fate.”
“You’re right,” Lauren beamed through her tears.
“Lauren, can I ask something?” Emily said suddenly, needing to know.
“Sure,” Lauren tensed.
“Did James give you a dashcam or memory card to keep?” The question had been nagging Emily all night. “The dashcam from the other driver’s car?”
“Sorry to disappoint,” Lauren sighed, shaking her head. “James destroyed both the dashcam and card right away to erase proof of his guilt.”
“How do you know James was guilty?” Sarah tensed.
“He told me himself,” Lauren admitted quietly. “His friend Steve gave him the dashcam as a keepsake, saying to do what he wanted with it. We started dating before the accident, so James told me all the details. That day, we were at my place, drinking champagne and…” Lauren paused, blushing. “Then you called, Emily, asking him to pick you up. James was furious, not wanting to go, but you insisted, and he agreed. He tried to sober up, and it worked a bit. I begged him not to drive, as he was tipsy. But James said he’s a lucky guy, fearless. After the accident, he decided to make you feel guilty for it to cover his tracks.”
“God, I believed every word like a fool,” Emily shook her head.
“What a jerk,” Sarah spat.
“What now?” Lauren asked. She seemed to realize an innocent man could suffer because of James.
“I want to offer James a deal,” Emily shared. “If he admits guilt in the accident, I won’t claim the car wash in the divorce.”
“He won’t agree,” Lauren shook her head immediately.
“Why?” Sarah was surprised.
“James fears prison more than anything,” Lauren said, recalling a past talk where he swore he’d never go to jail. He’d do anything to avoid it.
“Girls, we need to help Ethan avoid punishment,” Emily said, determination hardening her features.
“But how?” Sarah threw up her hands.
“I’ve got an idea,” Lauren mused. “Though it’s been so long, it might not work.”
“Spill,” the friends said in unison.
Led by Lauren, the friends launched a fervent search for info and proof of Ethan’s innocence. They posted a big appeal on social media, asking for any witnesses to the crash six months ago.
Two days later, two people reported having footage of James speeding through red lights multiple times that same winter.
“Em, we’re on the right track,” Sarah said, rubbing her hands together. “Think anyone has the actual accident on a dashcam?”
“Let’s hope,” Emily said. Her mind was split between the investigation and the divorce. She wanted to stop being James’s wife immediately.
Their talk was cut short by Lauren’s call.
“Sarah, huge news!” Lauren shouted into the phone. “Our social media post worked. A guy just called saying he has accident footage.”
“Awesome!” Sarah cheered. “Did he say how to get it?”
“Yes, tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the park,” Lauren replied.
Sarah hung up and relayed the news. “What’s the plan?”
“We go,” Emily said decisively.
“Another grand scheme?” Kevin entered the room, eyeing them suspiciously.
“Lauren got a call from a witness who set a meeting, saying he has accident video,” Sarah explained.
“I won’t believe till I see the video,” Kevin said skeptically. “Could be anyone. Like a scammer looking to make quick cash.”
“Even if he asks for money, he gets nothing till we confirm the video,” Sarah countered.
“Then you’re not going,” Kevin said firmly.
“Why?” Sarah’s eyes widened.
“I can’t go with you tomorrow night,” Kevin explained. “So, reschedule.”
“We can’t miss this,” Emily protested. “Kevin, we’ll be careful.”
“No way, girls,” Kevin was adamant. “If a guy was with you, I wouldn’t argue.”
“Let’s bring James,” Sarah said sarcastically.
“What if…” Emily grabbed her phone and dialed. “Hello, Ethan?” she asked.
“Yes, Emily, hi,” Ethan replied. He was glad she called. Despite everything, he liked her.
“Can you join me for a meeting tomorrow?” Emily blurted out.
“What kind?” Ethan was taken aback.
“It’s about the accident. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., park entrance,” Emily said.
“I’ll be there,” Ethan said, relieved.
“Goodbye.” Emily hung up. “Kevin, now will you let us go?”
“With Ethan, yes,” Kevin nodded.
The following evening, at exactly 7:30 p.m., Emily and Sarah met Ethan at the park entrance.
“So, we posted on social media asking for dashcam footage,” Emily explained. “Yesterday, a guy called saying he has a video.”
“Could this finally be over?” Ethan asked hopefully.
“We hope so too,” Emily sighed.
As they reached the meeting spot—a secluded bench near a fountain—Ethan said, “Here’s the plan. I’ll hide behind those bushes and watch. Just in case.”
“Why?” Sarah was confused.
“I don’t want to spook him. If he sees the ‘other driver,’ he might bolt.”
“Alright,” Emily shrugged.