Chapter 3

Adrian!" Ethan, his brother-in law, called loudly again.

He quickly made his way to Ethan's room and he could hear the clinking glasses and low chatter.

Ethan would always do this. He would spend his days partying and ulping down alcohol.

His father Gregory had grown tired of his carefree behaviour and wished he had been gifted with a more sensible son, not this buffoon.

Adrian took a deep breath before stepping into the room. There was a high chance he could get an undeserved beating.

He found Ethan sitting on a leather sofa with his friend Dave, both of them half-drunk

The smell of alcohol hung in the air, and a whiskey bottle could be seen on the table, almost empty.

"There you are," Ethan said with a lazy grin.

"We need you to drive us somewhere."

Adrian frowned. "I can't, Ethan. I have to drive Mr. Gregory somewhere later today. It's important."

Ethan's grin was gone in an instant, replaced by a dangerous glint in his eyes. "What did you just say?"

Adrian took a prudent step back. "I am saying, I have to—

Before he could get the sentence out, Ethan launched himself to his feet and came at him fast.

Grabbing Adrian by his collar, he smashed him against the wall so the wind was knocked out of him.

"You think you can defy me?" Ethan snarled, his face inches from Adrian's.

"Who do you think you are? When I tell you to do something, you do it. No questions asked.”

Adrian held himself back. "I'll drive you," he said reluctantly.

“Just let me go."

Ethan held him there a moment longer. His grip tightened further before finally releasing.

Adrian hunched forward, straightening his shirt as Ethan motioned toward the door.

"Good," Ethan said with a sneer. "Let's go."

Adrian sighed internally and took the car keys.

As they moved towards the driveway, Dave followed behind, snickering as if it was all funny.

"You know, I never understood why Jane married a nobody like you," he said with disdain.

"She could've had anyone; she could've had me. Instead, she chose some pathetic driver."

Adrian said nothing, gulping down his anger, and there was no point in arguing since he had heard such talk a number of times.

They got into the car, Adrian behind the wheel. He turned the ignition and drove off, his eyes on the road ahead while Ethan and Dave continued with their slurred speech in the back seat.

The morning sun had barely begun to rise over the horizon, casting long shadows down the silent streets.

"Drive faster," Ethan said suddenly, his tone sharp.

Adrian peered in the rearview mirror. "I'm already driving at the speed limit, Ethan. I don't want to get pulled over."

"I said drive faster!" Ethan shouted, his face purple with anger. It was obvious that it was the alcohol talking.

Adrian kept his foot firm on the gas pedal, refusing to give the car more gas. But that only seemed to enrage Ethan the more.

"Pull over," Ethan growled.

"What?"

"Pull over and get out of the driver's seat," Ethan repeated, his voice cold.

Adrian took a moment before reluctantly pulling to the side of the road.

Ethan was already shoving the door open, and stumbling out of the car

"I'll drive. you're too fucking slow” Ethan muttered, pushing Adrian. the passenger's side.

Before Adrian could say anything, Ethan was already behind the wheel.

He barely had time to buckle his seatbelt when Ethan took off, accelerating the car to maximum speed.

Then it happened.

A flash of movement. The sound of screeching tires, and a loud thud. Ethan ran a red light and hit a man who was crossing the road.

Adrian's heart clutched. He peered through the windshield in horror as a man's body crumbled to the ground.

"Stop the car, Ethan!" Adrian yelled in panic.

But Ethan didn't stop. Throwing his foot on the gas instead, he drove away from the scene, leaving a man to die on the road behind them.

“Ethan! We have to call an ambulance!” Adrian pleaded.

“Shut up!” Ethan shouted, still speeding away from the scene of the crime.

Adrian's mind was racing. They just hit a man and they were running away. What if he died?

He felt sick to his stomach, and felt like throwing up.

Finally, after a while Ethan finally pulled over in a secluded area.

He turned off the car and sat there in silence, his face pale and sweaty.

"Dude. We…. we can't just leave him there," Dave whispered, his voice shaking.

Ethan whirled on him, his face cold. "Shut up. You didn't see anything. None of this happened."

Adrian stared at him in dismay. "But—"

"None of this happened," Ethan snarled low. "You got it?