New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 374

Claire’s heart pounded as she watched the ambulance doors close, taking Adrian away. She stood frozen, her mind racing. “Matthew, we have to follow them,” she said, her voice shaky but determined. She barely made a step toward the car when a police officer walked up to her.

“Ma'am, I’m going to need your statement about what happened here,” the officer said, his face calm but serious.

Claire blinked, her mind spinning. What had happened? How had it all gone so wrong? She couldn’t think about anything except Adrian. What if he didn’t make it? What if his injuries were worse than they looked? Panic tightened her chest.

Before she could respond, Matthew stepped in, looking between Claire and the officer. “Officer, Claire Peterson here needs to get to the hospital too,” he said, gesturing to her hands. Claire looked down, realizing for the first time that she had scratches across her palms and debris dusted over her clothes from the impact.

“I’m fine,” Claire muttered, her voice barely a whisper. Adrian was the one who mattered, not her. The thought of him lying in that ambulance, injured and possibly worse, was tearing her apart.

The officer studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, ma’am. I’ll stop by the hospital later to get your statement once you've been treated.”

Claire only nodded, too numb to say more. She stumbled toward Matthew’s car, and he quickly helped her into the passenger seat before climbing in himself. He started the engine, but Claire’s eyes were glued to the burning wreckage they were leaving behind. The twisted metal of the car, the flames licking up into the sky—the scene replayed over and over in her mind, and she couldn’t escape it.

Matthew glanced at her, his face tight with concern. “Claire, I’m so sorry this happened. Adrian’s going to be okay. We’ll make sure of that.”

Claire didn’t answer, just stared out the window. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and anger. How had this happened? Who would do this to them? She swallowed hard and finally whispered, “You’re going to help me find out who did this, right?”

Matthew didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Whoever’s behind this— they’re going to pay for what they did to you and Adrian.”

A tear slid down Claire’s cheek, and she wiped it away quickly. She hated feeling so helpless. But right now, all she could think about was Adrian. She had to see him. She had to know he was okay.

The drive to the hospital was only about 25 minutes, but it felt like an eternity. As soon as Matthew parked, Claire was out of the car, sprinting toward the entrance. Matthew followed behind, struggling to keep up with her pace.

They burst into the reception area, and Matthew was about to speak when Claire cut him off, her voice frantic. “Adrian Saint Laurent—where is he? He just came in.”

The nurse behind the desk blinked, surprised by Claire’s intensity, but quickly answered. “He’s being treated in the ER. First floor, on the right.”

Claire didn’t even wait for a full explanation. “Thanks,” she muttered quickly, already halfway down the hall. She could hear Matthew calling after her, telling her she needed treatment too, but she didn’t care. Not right now.

When she reached the ER, she pushed the door open and rushed inside. A nurse passed by, and Claire grabbed her arm gently but urgently. “Excuse me, have you seen Adrian Saint Laurent? He’s in a suit—he was just brought in.”

The nurse’s expression softened. “Yes, I know who you mean. He’s being treated by the doctors right now.”

“Is he okay?” Claire asked, her voice trembling. “Is he…?”

The nurse placed a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “The doctors are doing everything they can, but you can’t go in there right now. Please, just let them work. They’ll update you as soon as they can.”

Before Claire could say anything more, the nurse stepped away and pulled a curtain closed around Adrian’s bed, blocking him from her view. Claire stood there, staring at the curtain, her heart pounding in her ears.

Matthew caught up with her a moment later, his breath a little ragged from rushing after her. He gently touched her arm. “Claire, you need to let them check you out too. Adrian wouldn’t want to see you hurt like this.”