When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 516

**Chapter 516: A Crash**

Timothy’s heart raced violently within his chest, each beat echoing like a drum of impending doom. A cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and he found himself gasping for breath, the weight of a knife he had concealed just moments ago pressing heavily against his palm. The very thought that someone might catch sight of the glinting blade sent a wave of dread crashing over him. Just as he contemplated rushing to Anneliese’s side, a car suddenly thundered into view from across the street. It screeched to a halt, the tires shrieking in protest against the asphalt, but it was too late—the vehicle collided with Anneliese, and a visceral shockwave of horror coursed through Timothy’s entire being.

In that agonizing instant, time stretched out, freezing him in place. His body felt paralyzed, gripped by disbelief and terror, as the color drained from his face. Should he leap forward to aid her, to rush to her side and offer help, or should he remain concealed, a coward lurking in the shadows? The indecision gnawed at him like a ravenous beast, a heavy cloud of guilt settling in his chest, suffocating him.

The driver, a young man, stumbled out of the car, his face contorted in panic. Around them, pedestrians who had witnessed the accident surged forward, their phones raised like weapons, eager to capture the unfolding chaos. Each passing moment sent Timothy spiraling deeper into a vortex of anxiety. Fear twisted into guilt, each agonizing second stretching painfully as he wrestled with his conscience. Finally, in a moment of desperate clarity, he made a choice that would haunt him.

With a swift, determined motion, he snatched Anneliese’s bag from the pavement—a small but significant token of her presence—and bolted toward his car. The door slammed shut behind him with a force that echoed the turmoil within, and he sped away, tires screeching against the asphalt, leaving the scene behind like a nightmare he desperately wished to escape.

Anneliese had only intended to reach the bank lobby before Timothy, hoping to find someone who could assist her. She had sensed his looming presence, an ever-watchful shadow that seemed to lurk just behind her, never allowing her a moment of peace. Acting on instinct had seemed like her best strategy, yet she had never anticipated the sudden appearance of a car barreling toward her.

The blinding headlights illuminated her path for a fleeting moment before the vehicle struck her with a force that sent her flying through the air. The world around her dissolved into an abyss of darkness as she hit the ground, the last flicker of thought extinguished like a dying candle.

When she finally regained consciousness, a dull throbbing pain radiated from her skull. As she attempted to shift her position, the ceiling above her spun like a dizzying carnival ride, waves of nausea crashing over her.

“You’re awake? Try not to move,” a gentle voice cut through the haze, soothing and warm.

Anneliese struggled to push herself upright, but a firm hand pressed down on her shoulder, preventing her from rising. At the same moment, a sharp sting shot through the back of her hand, drawing her attention to the IV tube taped there.

Breathing slowly, she fought against the vertigo and began to take in her surroundings. This wasn’t a hospital; it felt much cozier, almost like a home. She lay on a neatly made bed, the room adorned with warm hues and soft decorations that suggested comfort and care, a stark contrast to the chaos she had just experienced.

The woman beside her, with soft features and an elegant demeanor, spoke again, her tone soothing. There was something about her that seemed vaguely familiar, yet Anneliese was certain they had never crossed paths before.

“And you are…?” Anneliese managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper, laced with confusion.

“My name is Wendy Chalmont. This morning, you suddenly ran into the road and hit my car. Then you passed out. Do you remember any of that?” Wendy’s voice was warm, filled with a kindness that eased Anneliese’s anxiety.

Wendy had been driving back from Oceaton to Halden, taking a detour to avoid an unwanted encounter with her ex. The traffic had been light, and she hadn’t expected anyone to dash into the road at that moment. In a world where staged accidents were all too common, her initial thought had been that it might be a scam.

But as she stepped out of her car, her heart sank. There lay a fragile-looking girl on the asphalt, her wrist marked with rope burns, her pale face marred by fresh slap marks and scratches. It was clear that something terrible had happened, and Wendy’s instincts kicked in. She had her assistant search for identification, but the girl had no phone or wallet to speak of.

Despite having an urgent contract waiting for her in Halden, Wendy felt an overwhelming sense of compassion. She couldn’t simply abandon the girl at a hospital and walk away. Instead, she made the choice to bring her home, a decision that felt right in her gut.

“I… I’m so sorry. It was an emergency. I didn’t look before I ran. It was my fault. I wasn’t trying to scam you…” Anneliese stammered, her mind still foggy but flashes of the crash returning to her. The weight of guilt pressed down on her, and she rushed to explain herself, her heart racing with the fear of being misunderstood.

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