Chapter 191 – Hope's POV
I was only twenty minutes into my drive when the peace of the morning shattered—along with my calm.
I'd just left my parents' house, my heart full, my stomach too, and my playlist humming low in the background. The windows were rolled halfway down, letting in the crisp breeze of late spring. Everything felt light. Simple. Sweet.
Until my GPS rerouted me into some narrow, unfamiliar street in an upscale part of the city.
I shouldn't have trusted it.
I slowed down as I turned into the tight corner, trying to maneuver through a ridiculously small lane wedged between two luxurious complexes. My gaze flicked between the road and my phone's navigation. I didn't even see the sleek, black car pulling out of the private driveway until—
Thud.
The soft crash made my heart leap into my throat.
"Oh no," I breathed, slamming on the brakes.
I'd bumped the other car's bumper. Light, but still a bump.
"Crap. Crap. Crap!"
I immediately put the gear in park and jumped out, heart pounding so loud it muffled everything else. The other car—a black Bugatti—had a faint scratch on the bumper. Just a scratch.
But a scratch on a Bugatti? My legs felt like jelly.
The driver door of the other car opened slowly. I bit my lip, brushing my messy curls back with trembling fingers. Great. Just great. Please don't be some angry old man. Please don't be someone crazy.
My breath caught when I saw him.
Not old. Not angry-looking. Definitely not crazy.
He stepped out with a quiet sort of confidence, dressed in all black — a fitted button-down, sleek pants, and dark sunglasses that he slowly removed as his piercing eyes met mine.
Grey eyes.
Cool. Focused. Sharp.
He didn't say anything immediately. Just stood there, analyzing the situation — or maybe analyzing me. My heart thudded wildly under his gaze.
"I am so sorry," I rushed out, voice cracking slightly. "I—I didn't see your car pulling out. The GPS just—God, I'm so sorry."
He finally blinked, his jaw flexing slightly.
"Clearly," he muttered, walking past me to inspect the damage.
I hovered behind him like a guilty child.
"It's barely a scratch," I offered, nerves bundled in my stomach. "I—I can pay for it."
He turned his head slowly, raising a brow. "Do you even know how much a scratch on this costs?"
I winced. "Probably more than my entire car."
"That," he said dryly, "would be accurate."
Ugh. I really should've stayed longer at home. Maybe had a second cinnamon roll. Or third. Anything but this.
He faced me fully now, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Up close, he looked even more intimidating — smooth skin, chiseled features, a five-o'clock shadow that looked way too perfectly timed. He was probably older than me, maybe by a few years, and definitely out of my league.
Not that I was thinking about leagues right now. I was thinking about how broke I'd be if he decided to sue me.
"Look, I don't want to cause trouble," I said, straightening. "I really didn't mean to hit you. Can I just give you my insurance information? We can sort it out properly."
He was quiet for another beat before finally sighing.
"No need," he said.
I blinked. "Wait… what?"
"I said no need," he repeated. "It's a scratch. I've had worse from parking lots. Just—" He looked me over again. "Be more careful next time."
Was he serious?
"Are you sure?" I asked, cautiously.
"I don't feel like dealing with paperwork today," he muttered. "Besides, I've got somewhere to be."
I exhaled, my shoulders sagging in relief. "Oh my God. Thank you. Really. You're—wow. Thank you."
He gave a tight nod, walking back to his door. I turned to head to my car too, still a bit rattled, when he called out,
"What's your name?"
I turned slowly. "Hope. Hope Blackwood."
Something shifted in his gaze. "Blackwood?"
I nodded.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to Liam Blackwood, would you?"
I blinked, stunned. "He's my brother."
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Interesting."
"You… know him?"
"We've crossed paths," he said vaguely, opening his car door. "Tell him I said hello."
Before I could ask who the hell he was, he slid into his car and drove off, his Bugatti humming like it was alive.
I stood there for a full minute, my heart still thumping in my chest.
What just happened?