Chapter4

After dinner, my friends dispersed, and Lucas proposed dropping Charlotte and me home.

Perhaps learning from the lesson of fighting for the passenger seat last time, Lucas wisely took the company's extended Bentley, driven by a chauffeur. So, this time there was no need to fight for the front seat.

The car drove smoothly toward the Rothschild estate, the road clear. No one expected disaster to strike at that moment: an out-of-control truck speeding from the other direction...

The driver instinctively yanked the steering wheel. *Bang!* The two vehicles collided head-on, unavoidable!

As the windows shattered and inertia flung me to the other side, I saw Lucas holding Charlotte tightly in his arms, shielding her completely. He patted her back gently, soothing her, ensuring she didn't suffer even a scratch.

My vision blurred, and I suddenly remembered the car accident my friends had mentioned earlier.

That was in our fourth year together, when his feelings for me were most intense.

It was at an intersection just like this, with a truck speeding towards us.

The truck came straight for my side. In that terrifying moment, realizing the impact was unavoidable, he jerked the steering wheel, exposing his side of the car to the truck.

The front of the car was severely deformed, trapping him in the driver's seat. Firefighters and paramedics took a long time to get him out.

He almost died that day, but even so, when he regained consciousness and was out of danger, his first question was whether I was okay.

Now, the same accident, but the difference was that the person he subconsciously protected was no longer me.

The rear of the extended Bentley was smashed beyond recognition. After we all got out, Lucas, who had been busy comforting Charlotte, finally noticed me and silently pressed a hand to my bleeding forehead. Fortunately, my injuries weren't severe; after being bandaged at the hospital, I was fine.

However, because of the head injury, the doctor recommended I stay for observation for two days.

Lucas looked at the gauze on my head, his face full of guilt. "Vivian, I'm sorry. I was just thinking that Charlotte and I have a charity gala to attend soon, and her face couldn't be injured, so I protected her. Hit me, curse me, I deserve it all, but please don't ignore me, okay?"

His apology was incredibly sincere, and the reason sounded reasonable—if I didn't remember the wedding that was less than two weeks away.

Perhaps the "charity gala" he spoke of was that wedding.

I lowered my eyes, saying nothing, neither forgiving nor refusing to forgive, my expression remaining cold.

Lucas's apology continued, one "sorry" after another. Then, as if remembering something, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. "Your birthday is in a few days. Why don't I give you your gift early? What do you want? I'll buy you anything."

Hearing this, I finally looked up at him, my gaze still calm. "Then buy me a plane ticket. To Paris, three days from now."

"Paris? What for?" He was somewhat surprised but quickly provided his own answer. "Do you want to go to Fashion Week to relax?"

I didn't explain, just nodded. "Mmh."

Lucas didn't ask further. He took out his phone and bought a ticket to Paris right in front of me.

After buying the ticket, he added, "I'll be quite busy during this time, so I can't go with you. Have fun in Paris. When I'm free, I'll come find you. A plane ticket is too light for a birthday gift. I'll give you a big surprise later."

I shook my head, smiling faintly. "No, it's not light at all. This gift is perfect."

After all, that ticket was my way home.

Lucas, thank you for the gift. You personally sent me home.