Harriet eagerly tapped her ID on the scanner, clocking out from the hospital for the day. She hummed as she walked to the parking area where Zoey's car was parked. Though she had her own other cars, she preferred using Zoey'sâit was a small comfort, filled with Zoey's familiar scent.
Settling into the driver's seat, she sighed contentedly, then pulled her phone from her bag. She hit Zoey's number, and after a few rings, Zoey picked up the video call.
"Hey, sweetheart," Harriet greeted with a wave as Zoey's face appeared on the screen.
Zoey smiled and waved back. "Out early today?"
Harriet nodded, placing her phone in the holder beside the steering wheel. "Yeah, no more appointments, so I clocked out," she said with a shrug. "You're coming back tomorrow, right?"
"Yup. Miss me already?" Zoey asked with a teasing laugh.
"Yeah, every day," Harriet replied, buckling her seatbelt and glancing at Zoey before backing out of the parking space.
"Should I hang up so you can focus on driving?" Zoey asked, tilting her head.
"No, just stay on the lineâI can handle it," Harriet said, chuckling as she drove out of the hospital premises.
They chatted lightly, and at one point, Harriet asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Yep, I cooked for Mamita earlier," Zoey said with a smile.
Harriet nodded, but her attention was briefly caught by an unusually bright car behind her, flashing its high beams. She raised her hand to shield the glare in her rearview mirror, grumbling, "Someone's a bit overzealous with the high beams."
Zoey noticed her frustration. "Maybe just let them pass."
Harriet tried slowing down, but instead of passing, the car honked loudly, keeping close to her. "No luck-they're not passing, just tailgating," Harriet muttered, turning onto a quieter road.
Zoey's voice turned cautious. "Do you want to call me back once you're home? It sounds like they're making you tense."
"No, stay on the line," Harriet replied, trying to stay calm as she adjusted her speed.
Seconds later, the car behind her nudged her rear bumper. "What the hell?" Harriet hissed, tightening her grip on the wheel. Another, harder bump followed, shaking the car.
"What's happening?" Zoey asked, her voice tense.
"Some idiot keeps bumping the car from behind," Harriet said, weaving between other cars, but the tailgater mimicked her every move. "This is ridiculous." She sighed, eyes scanning for the nearest intersection where she could try to U-turn and lose them.
Another hard nudge forced her car forward, and Harriet's stomach dropped. The vehicle behind wasn't letting up. Deciding quickly, she attempted the U-turn, but the tailgating car accelerated and hit her bumper with enough force to send her spinning. Harriet fought for control, releasing the wheel momentarily to let it stabilize, but the pursuer abruptly sped off.
In a last-ditch effort to stop safely, Harriet steered toward a nearby garden barrier. The impact jolted her forward, her head colliding with the steering wheel, and the world faded into darkness.
"Harriet? Harriet?!" Zoey's panicked voice echoed through the car, hearing the screech and the crash before the call went silent. She hung up and, heart pounding, made plans to drive back to Geneva immediately.
Zoey quickly stepped out of her car, barely locking it after finally finding an open parking spot. She jogged toward the hospital entrance, her pulse quickening. Riley had called her too, confirming that Harriet was here. After nearly four hours on the road, stuck in a relentless traffic jam, she'd been on edge, her worry intensifying with each passing minute.
Navigating the hallway with a mixture of nervous speed and restraint, Zoey finally located Harriet's room. She pushed the door open and was met with the sight of Riley, Sienna, Nyx, Veraâand Harriet, sitting up in the hospital bed for the second time in recent memory.
Still catching her breath, Zoey gave a quick nod to everyone before stepping fully inside and closing the door. Harriet's brows furrowed at first, but her eyes widened in surprise.
"Zoey? I thoughtâ" Harriet's words faltered as she took in Zoey's expression. Zoey was panting, her gaze fixed intently on Harriet as she approached.
Biting her lower lip, Zoey took in Harriet's injuriesâa patch of bandage on her right eyebrow, bruises along her jaw, and additional bruises and scrapes on her hands. Letting out a deep sigh, she wrapped her arms tightly around Harriet.
Harriet was taken aback and looked to the others, but Nyx subtly ushered everyone else out, leaving the two of them alone. Slowly, Harriet hugged Zoey back. "Did I make you worry?" she murmured with a small chuckle. "If I hadn't gotten in an accident, you wouldn't be here."
"You still have the nerve to joke about this?" Zoey asked, sniffling lightly. "Do you know how worried I've been?"
"I'm fine," Harriet assured her, resting her head on Zoey's shoulder and rubbing her back gently. "Don't cry, I promiseâit's nothing serious."
Zoey pulled back slightly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I was going out of my mind, Harriet," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Who did this? Did they catch the person responsible?"
Harriet let out a sigh and gently wiped away the remaining tears on Zoey's cheeks. "Look at you," she said softly, her own concern evident. "Did you drive straight here after you heard?"
Zoey nodded. "Of course I did. I couldn't bear the thought of something serious happening to you."
Harriet rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm sorry for putting you through that."
Zoey's eyes searched Harriet's face, her gaze drifting over Harriet's covered feet. "Are you absolutely sure it's nothing serious?" she asked, about to lift the blanket to check when Harriet gently held her hand.
"Just... a swollen ankle," Harriet said quietly, looking away as she loosened her hold on Zoey's arm.
Zoey blinked, lifting the blanket carefully to see Harriet's right foot wrapped in a bandage. She sighed in frustration, rubbing her temple. "What did the authorities say? Did they catch the idiot? My car's got a dashcamâthey can use it if they needâ"
"Zoey, sweetheart, breathe," Harriet said, holding her hands up in a calming gesture. "They're handling it. Nyx already filed the report, and I gave an interview about an hour ago."
Zoey stepped closer, cupping Harriet's face. "Look at youâanother injury, more bruises. Your knuckles, your palms, your foot..." Her voice broke slightly, eyes glistening.
Harriet scoffed, trying to brush it off. "I told you, I'm fine." She pulled Zoey into another hug, tightening her hold. "But I'm glad you're here with me."
"Of course I am," Zoey replied, resting her head on Harriet's shoulder. "I was so worried, I didn't even pack the things I meant to bring for you. All I could think about was getting to you before... before anything worse happened."
"That's why you should never leave me again," Harriet murmured with a soft laugh, rubbing Zoey's back in slow circles.
Just then, the door swung open. "Harrietâ" Maggie's voice trailed off as she saw them.
Harriet glanced over, chuckling softly. "Mom, Dad."
Zoey quickly stepped back, clearing her throat. "Ms. Maggie, Dr. Pierce," she greeted, her cheeks flushing.
Maggie chuckled, closing the door and walking over to Zoey. "Dear, you can drop the formalities outside of work, you can just call us Aunt and Uncle. After all, you're our Harriet's girl," she said warmly, patting Zoey's cheek. Zoey blushed, catching Harriet's amused smile.
Maggie turned to Harriet, hands on her hips. "Now, Harriet Pierce, what happened?"
Leaning back against the headboard, Harriet shrugged. "Just a little accident, Mom. Nothing serious."
Her father, William, inspected her bruises, his brow creasing. "You're certain? Any tenderness or pain we need to worry about?"
Harriet groaned. "Dad, I'm okay. Just a headacheâprobably from the impact." She shrugged lightly.
William ruffled her hair affectionately. "Take some time off. A month at least-you need to rest that ankle too. Let's make sure there's no lasting damage."
"Oh, a free vacation?" Harriet quipped.
"Without a paycheck," her dad added with a laugh.
"Mom, can you adopt me temporarily? I'll be broke for the month," Harriet joked, glancing at her mother.
"Sorry, honey, no can do," Maggie replied, chuckling. "Maybe we should get you a driver and bodyguard, hm? With all that's been happening lately, I think it's high time."
"Oh, come on, Mom," Harriet groaned playfully. "I'm not a kid."
"Well, from where I'm standing, you look the part," Maggie replied with a laugh.
Zoey couldn't help but smile at the warmth and banter shared between them, biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Watching the Pierce family interact, she felt a renewed sense of belonging. This was the kind of family she'd always dreamed of-one that felt like home.