NovelEnglishChapter 504
No one had ever broached the subject with Anastasia before; talking about it seemed like it would only bring her
more heartache. The thought of her baby having a fighting chance-one that was cruelly snatched away by an ill-
timed traffic jam-was unbearable. On that fateful day, she had been in so much pain that she passed out,
oblivious to the nightmare unfolding around her.
Her friend Salma was laden with guilt, lamenting, "The doctor said the baby was five months along, and if we'd
gotten you to the hospital just a little sooner, they could've performed an emergency c-section. There have been
success stories, haven't there? Even the tiniest infants can sometimes make it with today's medical
advancements. It's all my fault for not being able to drive, for not getting you to the hospital sooner."
"How did we even end up in that traffic?" Anastasia's palms were ice-cold as a terrifying suspicion crept into her
mind. She mumbled to herself, "There are two routes to the hospital; why on earth did we take the one that was
jammed?"
Salma explained, "Gianna was at the wheel. She turned onto that road and only then did we realize it was
backed up-scar crash had everything at a standstill. We tried to get people to make way, but it was no use."
Anastasia knew the ways to the hospital from Southridge Estates like the back of her hand, both routes nearly
identical in distance.
Normally, if there was an accident, the GPS would alert you, suggesting detours to avoid the affected roads.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSo why hadn't Gianna taken the other route that day?
Moreover, the road where the accident occurred was usually less traveled at that hour. It was near a school and
had been under construction for six months, reducing it to a narrow path that most drivers avoided.
As a gut feeling took hold, Anastasia untied her apron hastily and said, "Mom, | need to step out for a bit. Get
srest early, okay?"
"Ana, where are you off to at this hour?" Salma asked, concern in her voice.
"I've got to see Jason about something. I'll be back soon," Anastasia replied, slipping on her coat and hurrying
out the door.
She hopped into her recently purchased second-hand minivan and dialed Jason's number as she headed for the
traffic police department.
Jason, having just wrapped up a case and returned home, picked up the call, puzzled. "What's up?"
Anastasia cut to the chase: "I'm on my way to the traffic department on Peace Avenue. | need to get some
surveillance footage and was hoping to cash in on your clout. I'll make it up to you with dinner."
She knew that without shelp, her impromptu visit to the traffic police would likely be ignored, and they
certainly wouldn't let her access their surveillance footage on a whim.
She thought of Jason. Leaning on Jason's reputation should make things easier.
There was a brief silence on the other end before Jason responded, "Is this a bribe?"
"It's called a favor between friends," Anastasia countered. "I'm already en route to Peace Avenue. I'll wait for you
there."
After hanging up, Anastasia didn't doubt for a second that Jason would cthrough.
Jason shook his head at the dead line, a wry smile curving his lips. It was the first tsomeone had been so
brazen in banking on his influence so commanding, so bold.
It wasn't so much a loan of his status as it was a requisition of his face.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, making his way to the traffic police department.
Anastasia arrived first. When she saw Jason, gratitude filled her eyes. "Thanks for coming."
"Don't thankyet. Tellwhat you need the surveillance footage for first. If it's for anything illegal or
unethical, countout," he said.
Anastasia confessed, "lI want to check the traffic on Peace Avenue on the day of my miscarriage. There's a
nagging suspicion | can't shake."
"What suspicion?" Jason asked, as they made their way into the department.
Keeping pace with him, Anastasia shared her fears: "There were two routes to the hospital that day. My cousin
Gianna was driving, and she chose the route with the traffic incident, causing a delay that costmy baby."
Jason, with his cop's instinct, paused, sensing the weight of her words. "You think your cousin deliberately
wasted time?"
Anastasia met Jason's gaze squarely, "I have reason to suspect she's fallen for my husband."
Jason frowned, "Herman's charm must be something else, attracting trouble wherever he goes."
Anastasia gave him a blank look.
He quickly added, "Among all the mess, he picked the right flower."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Anastasia replied, a touch of irony in her voice.
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