The morning arrived with the gentle glow of the rising sun filtering through the curtains, casting a warm light across the room.

Outside, the sweet melody of birds chirping filled the air, blending with the rustling leaves and the distant hum of the waking world.

It was a peaceful scene, a perfect start to a day that promised to be full of simple joys.

"Wake up, dear!"

My wife’s sweet voice called out, cutting through the tranquil morning sounds like the first note of a favorite song.

It was a voice I could never resist, no matter how much I wanted to cling to the last remnants of sleep.

"Did you forget you promised to teach me how to drive today?" she continued, her tone playful yet firm.

The words pulled me fully from the comfort of my dreams, and I blinked my eyes open, the memory of yesterday’s promise coming back to me in a rush.

The sight that greeted me was enough to chase away any lingering sleepiness.

My wife stood by the bed, already dressed and ready, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Beside her, Chloe was practically bouncing on her toes, her face lit up with the anticipation of the day ahead.

They were both eager, brimming with the energy of a new day, and it made my heart swell with love.

"Umm… but it’s too soon in the morning," I muttered with a yawn, rubbing my eyes as I tried to adjust to the brightness of the room.

The idea of staying in bed a little longer was tempting, but I knew there was no escaping what was to come.

"No excuses," my wife said, her voice taking on a stern but affectionate tone.

"Breakfast is already on the table. Get ready quickly and eat it. We’ll be waiting outside, okay?"

"But… wait," I started to protest, trying to find some reason to delay, but she was already one step ahead.

"Let’s go, sweetie," she said to Chloe, who nodded eagerly, the two of them already moving toward the door.

There was no room for negotiation; their minds were made up.

I watched them leave the room, the sound of their footsteps fading down the hallway, and sighed with a mix of exasperation and fondness.

"Haa! Let's get ready quickly," I muttered to myself, pulling back the covers with a sigh of reluctant resolve.

The lingering comfort of sleep was quickly replaced by the anticipation of the day ahead as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and got to my feet.

The cold tiles of the bathroom floor were a sharp contrast to the warmth of the bed, jolting me fully awake as I splashed cold water on my face.

The rhythmic brushing of my teeth and the refreshing feel of water against my skin helped to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I could see the faint traces of a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, a quiet excitement building inside me despite the early hour.

Stepping out of the bathroom, the scent of breakfast greeted me, wafting from the table where everything was already perfectly laid out.

The sight of it, carefully prepared by Sarah, brought a warmth to my chest that had nothing to do with the food.

It was a simple meal, but it was filled with love, a tangible reminder of the life we’d built together.

I quickly sat down and ate, savoring each bite, knowing they were both eagerly waiting outside.

With breakfast finished, I grabbed the car keys from the counter, the metal cool in my hand as I made my way toward the front yard.

As I stepped outside, the morning air greeted me, fresh and crisp, carrying with it the sounds of life waking up all around.

In the yard, Sarah was standing with Mrs. Thomas, their conversation animated and full of laughter.

Chloe was beside them, trying her best to join in, her little voice bubbling up with excitement.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

The sight of them all together was heartwarming, a scene that felt like it was straight out of a perfect, peaceful morning.

Mr. Thomas, as usual, was sitting nearby, engrossed in his newspaper, the pages rustling softly as he turned them.

It was a picture of serene routine, everyone in their place, everything as it should be.

As I approached, Mrs. Thomas was the first to notice me.

"Oh! Good morning, Michael, " she greeted me warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners with a smile that spoke of years of familiarity.

"Good morning, Mrs. Thomas," I replied, offering her a small bow out of respect and affection.

"I heard you’re going to teach Sarah how to drive today," she said, her tone laced with the gentle teasing of someone who has watched you grow over the years.

"Yes," I nodded, a smile of my own forming as I glanced at Sarah.

Her eyes met mine, sparkling with a mix of excitement and a hint of nervousness.

I could tell she was looking forward to this, to learning something new, to spending this time together.

"That's great, Michael," Mrs. Thomas said with a fond smile, her eyes misting slightly as she reminisced.

"It wasn’t long ago that you were just a boy who used to cry to ride in the car, and now you’re the father of a little girl yourself. Time really flies, doesn’t it?"

Her words, filled with warmth and nostalgia, tugged at a deep place in my heart.

I shifted slightly, feeling a mix of emotions—gratitude, pride, and a bit of embarrassment.

"Yes, it really does," I replied, trying to keep my tone light, though my cheeks warmed under Sarah and Chloe's curious gazes.

It was a little embarrassing, being reminded of my childhood in front of my wife and daughter.

Chloe’s wide eyes were full of innocent curiosity, and Sarah’s amused smile told me she’d be asking about these stories later.

"Old woman! You’re wasting their time," Mr. Thomas interjected, his voice gruff but affectionate, saving me from further tales of my youthful antics.

"What did you say, old man?" Mrs. Thomas shot back, turning to him with a playful glare, but I could see the fondness in her eyes.

"You should go, lad," Mr. Thomas said, turning his attention to me.

His words carried a subtle command, as if he knew we had more important things to do than dwell on the past.

"Yes, you’re right," I nodded, grateful for the escape.

But before I turned away, I hesitated, recalling a habit I’d picked up from years of knowing the Thomases.

"By the way, is there any important news?" I asked, nodding towards the newspaper in his hands.

Mr. Thomas glanced down at the paper, then back at me.

"Nope. Just that it might rain heavily today. Be careful out there," he advised, his tone more serious now.

"Okay, dear, wait outside with Chloe. I'll bring the car around," I said, giving Sarah a reassuring smile.

She nodded, taking Chloe's hand as they moved toward the sidewalk.

I watched them for a moment—Chloe skipping alongside Sarah, her little ponytail bouncing with each step—before heading to the garage.

I pulled the car out carefully, the engine's low hum filling the quiet morning air.

As I reached the road, I saw them waiting—Chloe already excitedly pointing at the car.

I brought the vehicle to a stop in front of them.

Chloe scrambled into the back seat with boundless energy, her small hands fumbling with the seatbelt before Sarah leaned over to help her.

Once Chloe was secure, Sarah settled into the passenger seat beside me.

"Take care of the house while we're gone," I called out to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, who were watching from their porch with warm smiles.

"Okay, go on now," Mr. Thomas replied with a wave.

I smiled back, then pressed down on the accelerator, the car gliding forward smoothly.

We drove until we found a stretch of road that was relatively empty, a quiet space where Sarah could practice without any pressure.

Once I was sure the area was safe and spacious, I pulled over and turned to Sarah.

"Alright, your turn," I said, stepping out to switch seats with her.

Sarah moved into the driver’s seat, her movements a little tentative but filled with determination.

Chloe watched from the back, her eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.

"You remember all the basics, right?" I asked as I settled into the passenger seat.

She nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Yes. Keep my foot on the brake, start slowly, then gently accelerate, and always keep my eyes on the road."

"That’s right. Just take it slow and steady," I encouraged her, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

"You’ve got this."

Sarah took a deep breath, her hands gripping the steering wheel.

She pressed down on the brake and turned the key.

The engine purred to life, and she cautiously released the brake, the car rolling forward at a snail’s pace.

Her eyes were fixed on the road ahead, her expression a mixture of focus and nerves.

"Good, just like that," I said, watching her carefully. "Now, slowly give it some gas."

She pressed down on the accelerator, and the car picked up a bit more speed.

Not too fast, but just enough to feel like she was driving. I could see her starting to relax, her grip on the wheel loosening slightly as confidence began to take root.

"You're doing great, Mama!" Chloe cheered from the back, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

Sarah smiled, glancing briefly at Chloe through the rearview mirror before refocusing on the road.

"Thanks, sweetie."

As we continued down the road, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride.

Sarah was doing better than I had expected for her first real driving lesson.

She was cautious but composed, handling the car with care.

The sun was shining, Chloe was happily chattering in the back seat, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

"See? You're a natural," I said, my voice warm with encouragement.

Sarah turned to me briefly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and pride.

"Thanks, dear," she said, her voice soft but full of emotion.

We shared a smile, one of those small, quiet moments that stick with you—a moment where everything feels right, like a little bubble of happiness that you wish could last forever.

As she continued driving, I leaned back, savoring the simplicity of the moment.

It was just us—no work, no stress, just my family together on a quiet road, making memories that would last a lifetime.

She made a few mistakes along the way, but I was there to guide her through them.

"Slow down on the turns," I reminded her gently, my hand resting on the wheel for support.

"Look ahead, or you'll hit the wall," I added when she hesitated, helping her steer clear of any trouble.

Despite the initial jitters, she was picking things up quickly, her confidence growing with each passing minute.

Chloe was having the time of her life in the backseat, her laughter ringing out like music.

"Faster, Mama! Faster!" she squealed, her tiny hands clapping in excitement.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.

"We’ll go a little faster soon, sweetie," I assured her, sharing a knowing smile with Sarah.

It felt like one of those perfect family moments—a simple day off filled with love, laughter, and the joy of just being together.

But then, everything started to shift.

The warmth in my chest, the comfort of the moment, began to unravel.

It was as if the air around us thickened, growing heavy with something unseen.

Why did it suddenly feel so wrong?

Was it because Sarah pressed down on the accelerator a bit too hard?

Or was it the truck that appeared out of nowhere, barreling toward us with terrifying speed?

My heart pounded in my chest, panic flooding through me.

"Sarah, slow down!" I shouted, my voice tinged with fear, but it was too late.

The world around us seemed to blur as the car spun out of control.

I tried to hold onto the wheel, to do something—anything—to protect them, but I was too late.

"Baam!!"

With a deafening sound, the car got crashed into the truck and rolled over the road.

And slowly my vision darkened, the world slipping away from me as if I were being pulled into a void.

"Sarah! Chloe!" I called out, my voice barely a whisper, desperate and hollow.

But there was no response.

The sound of their voices, the warmth of their presence, was gone, swallowed by the darkness.

Where were they?

Why couldn’t I hear them?

Panic clawed at me, a raw, primal terror unlike anything I’d ever known.

My mind raced, frantic to find them, to make sense of the horror that was unfolding, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

The only sounds that reached me were distant—disconnected from the world I knew.

The wail of ambulance sirens, the chaotic shouts of people, and somewhere in the midst of it all, a twisted, eerie laugh that was too vivid and felt too horrible to explain.

It was the last thing I heard before everything faded to black, my consciousness slipping away, leaving me alone in the darkness.

And then… nothing.

Just emptiness.