The next day, we borrow bikes from the vineyard and ride along sunlit trails. There's not a soul in sight as I pedal with a basket full of wine and chocolate. And for the first time in ages, I feel okay.
Izzy’s laughter floats from behind. “Race you to the top!”
I grin, turning to shout back, phone in my hand, ready to capture the moment, when my grip slips.
The phone tumbles, skidding across the gravel. I lurch to grab it, but the bike jerks. The basket tilts. The wheels swerve. And in the blink of an eye, I crash to the ground.
The sound of screeching tires and gut-wrenching screams come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Pain erupts. And a montage flashes in my mind like a movie reel.
Ava laughing. Lily dancing in the rain. The dolphin art project on the floor. Jacob’s tears. Then dark, cold shadows. Hands tightening around my neck. Jacob’s voice whispering, “This didn’t happen.”
And then… Him.
Everything goes black. No sound. No pain. Nothing.
When I’m awake, all I hear is the relentless beeping of monitors. Every inch of me aches, even breathing hurts. The first thing I see hovering over me is Izzy, eyes wide with fear, mascara streaked down her cheeks.
“Am I dead?” I rasp. “Because if I am, I told you my tombstone should read,Jenna Jinxed Forever.”
Izzy lets out a half-laugh, half-sob. “You’re not dead, you’re just an absolute idiot. What the hell were you thinking, trying to take pictures while riding a bike?” She smacks my arm. “Now, give me your phone.”
I wince, both from the pain in my body and her ridiculous request. “Why?”
“Because I need to know if you got the perfect shot before almost killing yourself!”
Despite everything, I smile. “No idea. But I bet it was.”
She laughs, but her gaze softens. “Did your life flash before your eyes? Like in the movies?”
I hesitate. “Yeah,” I whisper. “It did. I saw my girls. Felt this desperate longing, wishing I had more time. Then came these distorted images. And… him.”
“Him? Jacob or…”
The hospital room seems to shrink as flashes of memories resurface. I hear screaming and see blood. Jacob’s face, calm and resolute. He was there. But what did he do? What did I do?
My chest clenches, and the heart monitor starts beeping faster.
“Jenna?” Izzy’s voice sharpens, her hand gripping mine. “What’s wrong? What did you see?”
I can’t speak. Can’t breathe.
I hear the door creak open.
Jacob steps inside. His face pale, eyes rimmed blood red. But it’s not just that. It’s something else. Something darker lurking behind his stare.
“What did you do?” I ask, swallowing a lump in my throat.
He stiffens. “Me?” His voice cracks, his gaze locked on mine. “What did you mean by ‘him'? Who are you talking about?”
The room spins. Everything is crashing down, suffocating me.
The truth hovers in the air, just out of reach. And for the first time, I’m not sure I want to catch it. But Jacob already knows… so do I. Now, there’s no going back.
Chapter 40: Rock Bottom
Jenna: September
