LOVE, LIES, AND BETRAYAL

The night was cold, dark and quiet, with the rain still falling heavily. Wendy stood alone by the roadside, her figure shrouded in the shadows. The cold rain seeped into her bones, but she didn't flinch.

As she gazed out into the darkness, a faint light appeared in the distance. With a sudden surge of determination, Wendy moved toward the light, her eyes fixed on the source of the light.

Her thoughts were consumed by a singular desire to escape the anguish that had driven her to this point. The pain and the scene she had witnessed at home still lingered, haunting her every step.

Making a decision, Wendy rushed into the middle of the road, her eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable. She began to count, her voice barely above a whisper.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..."

Screech!

Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires pierced the air. A car had come to an abrupt halt just inches from Wendy's motionless form.

A cold, detached voice cut through the silence.

"What are you doing, standing in the middle of the road? If you want to end your life, go somewhere else. Don't involve innocent people."

Wendy's eyes fluttered open, her gaze locking onto the stranger.

"Am I...am I dead?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

The stranger's expression was a mixture of annoyance and confusion.

Steve, the young, tall man couldn't believe his eyes. This woman was willingly trying to get herself killed. He stepped out of the car, his anger evident in his tone.

"Are you trying to die? Did someone send you to do this to implicate me?"

Wendy's eyes dropped, her voice barely audible.

"Please...just hit me. Nobody sent me, no one is here, no one will know. I don't want to live anymore."

Steve's expression was unreadable.

"Get out of the middle of the road. You're not going to die tonight. I refuse to take responsibility for your death!"

Wendy's gaze lingered, disappointment etched on her face. Why wouldn't he just end her life? Why wouldn't he just hit her so that she can be happy and leave this wicked world? At least there were no witnesses to hold him accountable.

"How about strangling me, then?" Wendy's sudden question caught Steve off guard, and he shot her an irritated glance.

"Stop whatever game you're playing," he said firmly. "I don't have time for this. I'll pay you double of whatever they're paying you – just stop."

Wendy's eyes flickered to Steve's chiseled features, and tall appearance and for a moment, she felt a pang of regret. If only she weren't about to die, she'd muster the courage to flirt with him and get his number.

"I just need to die tonight, can't you understand?" Wendy's voice cracked as she pleaded, her tears welling up. "Tomorrow will be even worse, and I don't want to face it, I just want to end it now."

As she grasped Steve's large hand, her tears spilled over. For the first time, Steve's stoic expression faltered, and he found himself asking.

"Why do you want to die?"

Steve's question hung in the air, and for a moment, Wendy was transported back to her father's expression and her mother's happy face. She moved few steps away from Steve, tears falling down her cheeks as memories flooded her mind.

Steve watched, intrigued, as Wendy's expression changed.

What could drive someone so young to want to end it all? He glanced at his watch - 9 pm. He had a Zoom meeting with his company executives at 10 and couldn't afford to be late. The rain continued to fall, and Steve's patience wore thin.

"Listen, miss, I don't have time for this, my time is precious. Please, for your own sake, go home. I'll call the authorities if I must."

Steve's words sparked something in Wendy. Her eyes lit up suddenly, and her expression transformed into a calculating gaze.

There's still hope!

Steve's curiosity got the better of him. "Miss, can you hear me? What are you planning again?" Wendy's eyes shone brightly, and she looked up at Steve with a glimmer of hope.

In a shocking turn, Wendy hissed, "I might as well kill you and spend the rest of my life in jail." Steve was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

Why was this woman so desperate to die?

Why?

Steve's gut told him to stay away from her, and as Steve turned to leave, Wendy lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his back tightly. Steve's irritation grew, he hated being accosted by women, especially those with ulterior motives. He tried to pry her hands off, but Wendy held tight. With a surge of adrenaline, Steve forcefully removed her hands, sending Wendy crashing on the floor.

THUD!

Wendy's butt slammed hard onto the cold ground, leaving her numb and hissing in pain. But as she lay there, something shifted inside her. She realized she didn't want to die anymore she wanted to live and make her father pay for his sins.

With newfound determination, Wendy decided to rethink her plan.

Steve, still watching her in frustration, finally spoke up. "Since you want to die so badly, tell me, how do you want to die? I'll help you fulfill your wish" Wendy's face contorted in a mix of emotions as she tried to apologize and explain, but the pain was too much and she couldn't even move her body. She could only sit there and watch him. She has no energy left in her to shout or explain.

Steve's eyes narrowed. "Cat gat your tongue? You want to die, and you want me to hit you, I'll do you that favor." His voice was laced with anger, and Wendy shivered under his piercing gaze.

As Steve turned to leave, Wendy watched his back, wincing in pain. Waiting for the car to hit her.

Is she really going to die this way??

The sound of the car engine got closer, and closer......

VROOOM!