Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

"Effie, where are you?" Fidelia Etheridge's voice came through the phone, sharp and insistent.

Effie couldn't help but sigh. Lately, Fidelia had been haunting her like some persistent ghost, popping up out of nowhere and refusing to let go.

"Why should I tell you?" Effie replied, her tone dry.

Lindy glanced over. "Is that Fidelia?" she asked.

Effie rolled her eyes. "Yeah. It's her."

Lindy looked just as puzzled as Effie felt. Fidelia used to be distant, almost cold. She'd barely acknowledge Effie, let alone seek her out. Now, she seemed determined to stick to her like glue, and neither of them could figure out why.

Fidelia must have heard Lindy's voice in the background. "Effie, I heard that. Aunt Lindy's with you, isn't she? You guys are out shopping, right? I'm coming to find you."

"You're not just trying to buy another mystery box, are you?" Effie shot back.

There was a moment's pause before Fidelia replied, a little defensively, "Hey, don't say it like that. I don't have to buy anything. I can just hang out."

"Go ahead and buy one," Effie said, a smile tugging at her lips. "I kind of want to see what's inside, too."

Fidelia made a clicking sound, as if something had just occurred to her. "Effie, be honest are you starting to get hooked on these things?"

She sounded almost smug, as if she'd finally succeeded in converting Effie to her one true hobby.

Effie shook her head, amused. "You've only got one sad little interest. If I don't play along, you'll pout for days."

"Effie! Is it really so hard for you to say something nice for once?"

"Apparently, yes."

Fidelia let out a dramatic groan, scratching her head. "Fine. I'll remember that!" "Thanks," Effie replied, unfazed.

Despite her complaints, Fidelia still asked for their location so she could join them.

Effie and Lindy waited just outside the mall, and before long, Fidelia appeared, waving at them from a distance.

But then, out of nowhere, an old van barreled straight toward Effie and Lindy.

"Run!" Fidelia screamed, her eyes wide with terror.

She'd seen the van coming from

afar, but there was no way she could reach them before it did. All she

could do was shout at the top of her lungs.

Effie caught sight of the out-of-control van just in time. She shoved Lindy aside with all her strength.

She braced to dodge, but suddenly, a pair of hands reached out and pushed her hard out of harm's way.

Stunned, Effie turned and saw Isabel

Foster hurled into the air by the

impact, crashing heavily to

ground, blood everywhere,

unconscious.

Effie snapped out of her daze, dragging her twisted ankle as she rushed to check

on Isabel and call for help.

Within minutes, both an ambulance and a police car arrived.

Shaken, Lindy and Effie recounted everything to the officers, while Isabel was rushed away in the ambulance.

The police went to check on the van's driver, only to find he was already gone.

The coroner's report soon revealed the man had suffered a fatal heart attack behind the wheel, whiche caused him to lose control and led to the accident.

"How could that happen?" Fidelia murmured, her voice trembling. "And Isabel just happened to be there, too?"

Fidelia looked at Effie, her face pale. "I'm so glad you're okay. You scared me half to death just now."

Effie nodded. Honestly, she was just as shaken as Fidelia—maybe more.

"Effie, your ankle looks pretty bad. We should get it checked out at the hospital," Lindy said, worry etched across her face.

"It's nothing, really. Just a sprain," Effie protested.

But Lindy wouldn't hear of it. A sprained ankle could be a big deal if left untreated —what if it messed up her walk for good?

With Lindy insisting, Effie finally gave in, and they headed to the hospital.

"Mom, are you okay?" Effie asked as they sat in the waiting room.noveldrama

"I'm fine," Lindy reassured her. "Just a little shaken up, that's all."