The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 89

“Ms. Meyer, all the court documents are ready. I just need to know when you’re available so we can set the trial date.”

Reese pressed her hand to her forehead. With everything happening lately, she’d completely lost track of this.

Once the date was set, the court would notify Sebastian right away.

But her mother’s necklace was still with Zach. He’d promised to get it back for her. If the trial went forward, chances were he’d stop caring.

“Let’s wait for now,” Reese said. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

She hung up, tossed back the covers, and swung her legs out of bed. Time to head to BlackOak.

Driving out of the hospital parking lot, Reese squinted against the harsh afternoon sun and flipped down the visor. She’d barely rounded a corner when she noticed a black sedan in her rearview mirror.

At first, she didn’t think much of it. After three intersections with the same car still behind her—never too close, never too far—she started to get uneasy.

Who sent them? Sebastian? Or someone else?

A wave of irritation and anxiety washed over her. Reese pressed the gas, hoping to lose them.

But the car stuck to her like a shadow. Every time she sped up, it did too. She switched lanes; so did they, right away.

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as panic crept in, twisting in her chest.

At a red light, Reese took a shaky breath, about to turn her head and check the license plate. That’s when it happened.

A deafening crash erupted behind her.

The impact slammed her forward. The airbag exploded from the steering wheel, filling the car with the sharp, chemical smell.

Her forehead hit the airbag with a dull thud.

Through the haze, her mother Marie’s face flashed before her eyes.

She was nine again, on a bright day just like this. Marie was driving her to see Bailey, her smile bright and hopeful, as if she was about to share something wonderful.

Then, out of nowhere, a truck barreled into the road. Marie screamed, yanking the wheel. In those last seconds, she wrapped Reese in her arms, shielding her.

When Reese woke up, she was lying on the side of the road. Marie was slumped over the wheel, blood everywhere.

“Mom!”

She couldn’t let Zach see.

She’d barely gotten inside before she bumped right into him, shopping bags dangling from his arms.

“What happened?” Zach caught her by the arm, frowning. “You look pale.”

Tara glanced at the intersection, her voice shaking. “There was a car accident.”

Zach looked through the glass doors at the crowd gathering at the corner. He couldn’t see much, just someone being pulled from the back of a black car, blood everywhere.

Tara saw him staring and clung to his arm. “Zach, I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I’m here.” Zach turned, gently blocking her view with his hand.

“Okay.” Tara touched her belly, the small curve hidden under her loose dress. “Let’s go out another exit. The baby’s scared too.”

“Whatever you want.” Zach wrapped an arm around her, leading her away.

As they walked, Zach glanced back, almost involuntarily. Through the crowd, he caught a glimpse of a limp woman being lifted from the driver’s seat of a white car.