Chapter 138

The impact threw Paisley against the windshield, a roaring buzz filling her head as consciousness faded. Serena’s terrified cry, "Mom! Don't die! I'm scared, Mom!" jolted her back.

"I'm not dead," Paisley gasped, struggling to sit up. Seeing Serena unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief. Ignoring the pain, she crawled to the back, unbuckled Serena's seatbelt, and checked her over. "Are you okay? Hurt anywhere?"

Tears streamed down Serena's face. "I'm fine," she whispered, shaking her head.

Post-traumatic fear washed over Paisley. She hugged Serena close, her own composure finally breaking. "It's okay, Rena. We're okay."

A knock echoed on the car window. Onlookers had gathered, and someone had called the police.

A truck driver peered in. "Are you okay? Need an ambulance?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. He glanced at Jeremy, slumped in the driver's seat, eyes rolled back. "Hey! What's going on? Is he dead?"

Paisley rolled down the window. "Please, call the police," she said.

"Already done," the driver replied. "Is he dead?"

Paisley looked at Jeremy. "Unconscious." The needle she'd used wouldn't kill him quickly. Before the police arrived, she had to remove it.

She slumped back, the tension leaving her for a moment. Then, regaining her composure, she moved to the passenger seat. She unlocked Jeremy's phone – no evidence of Marissa's involvement. Marissa would walk free, free to plot again.

Paisley gritted her teeth. She needed evidence, and fast. Her eyes fell on the dashcam. It was old, but she managed to extract the memory card, copy the footage to her computer, and transfer it to her phone. She quickly found the incriminating conversation between Jeremy and Marissa. Rage ignited within her.

Lucy and Maria arrived, an ambulance already on its way. Paisley removed the needle before the police arrived, but Jeremy remained unconscious, likely from the impact.

Maria rushed to Serena, embracing her tightly. "Oh, my baby!" she cried, her face tear-streaked.

"We're fine now," Paisley reassured her.

"Physically, yes," Maria sobbed, "but what about mentally? Who could be so evil?"

Paisley's eyes hardened. "Evil," she agreed.

She handed the memory card to Lucy. "Give this to the police. It's evidence." Then, jumping into Lucy's car, she sped off.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Lucy shouted.

"Keep an eye on Serena," Paisley called back before flooring the gas pedal.

She dialed Dominick. "Where are you?" she demanded.

"At my parents'," he replied, his voice slightly muffled by background noise.

"Marissa?"

"She's here too," Dominick answered, confused.

"Wait for me," Paisley snapped, hanging up. She was heading straight for the Vanderbilt mansion.

Vanderbilt Manor buzzed with activity. Paul's homecoming was almost a celebration after their recent fear.

Dominick was outside with Julian, catching up. Marissa saw Dominick's phone go dark.

"Who was that?" she asked, smiling.

"Paisley," Dominick replied.

Marissa shivered. "Why is she still alive? What's Jeremy doing?" she wondered.

"Is she coming over?" she asked cautiously.

Dominick shook his head. "No." He wasn't sure what Paisley wanted, but he was glad she wasn't coming.

"Dom, Julian, come eat," Marissa called, her smile back in place.

"We'll be in soon," Dominick said, leaving Marissa to entertain the guests.