Chapter 4: Three Seconds of Confusion
Almost forty minutes later, Olivia’s eyes fluttered open.
For three full seconds there was absolute silence in the car while her brain tried to catch up with her body. The leather under her cheek was too soft. The car smelled wrong. The silence was too complete.
Then reality hit.
She sat up so fast her stethoscope swung sideways and smacked against the seat.
“Oh god… this isn’t—”
She looked around the unfamiliar luxury interior, then at the man sitting a few feet away watching her with calm, unreadable eyes. Mortification flooded her face so quickly she felt her ears burn.
“I’m so sorry,” she stammered, already reaching for her bag. “I must have gotten into the wrong car. I worked a really long shift and I wasn’t paying attention at all. I’ll get out right now. I’m so sorry for the trouble.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Alexander said. His voice was quieter and softer than she expected from someone who looked so controlled. “You were exhausted. It’s all right.”
Marcus had already pulled the car over at the edge of a small, quiet park. Olivia gathered her bag, her cardigan, and what little composure she had left. She pushed the door open, then paused with one foot on the pavement and looked back at him.
“Thank you… for not being awful about it. Most people would have been.”
Alexander held her gaze a moment longer than necessary.
May you like
“Go get some actual sleep,” he said.
Then she was gone. The door closed with a soft, expensive click. The sudden silence that filled the car felt heavier than it should have — larger than the space itself.
