The bride of vengeance

Rain poured heavily from the dark sky, crashing against the streets like endless tears. Thunder echoed across the city while bright flashes of lightning cut through the night. Inside a black luxury car, warmth and laughter still existed. James Johnson sat behind the steering wheel with a relaxed smile on his face. Beside him, his wife, Jane Johnson, adjusted the small silver crown resting gently on their daughter’s curly hair. Mary Johnson smiled brightly from the backseat. Today was her eighth birthday. The little girl hugged her wrapped gifts tightly against her chest while staring excitedly through the window at the colorful city lights. “Daddy,” she called happily, “can we really go to the beach tomorrow?” James chuckled softly as he looked at her through the rearview mirror. “Of course, princess. I promised you, didn’t I?” Mary grinned. Jane turned slightly and pinched her daughter’s cheek lovingly. “But only if you sleep early tonight.” “I will!” Mary replied quickly. The car filled with laughter again. For a brief moment, life felt perfect. The Johnson family was admired across the state. James Johnson owned one of the biggest construction companies in the city. He was respected not only for his success but also for his honesty. Unlike many wealthy businessmen, James believed in fairness. That was why many people trusted him. But trust could sometimes become dangerous. Especially when given to the wrong person. James’ smile slowly faded as his phone vibrated inside his pocket. His eyes briefly glanced toward the screen. Recce Robinson. His closest friend. James ignored the call. Jane noticed immediately. “You’re still upset?” she asked softly. James sighed quietly. “I just don’t understand him anymore.” Jane frowned slightly. “You think the missing money is really connected to him?”James tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “For months, money has been disappearing from the company accounts. Contracts have been changed illegally. Somebody is stealing from the company.” “And you think it’s Recce?” “I know it’s him.” Silence filled the car for a moment. Rain continued falling harder outside. Jane looked worried. “Then maybe you should stop investigating,” she whispered carefully. “We can settle this privately.” James shook his head immediately. “No. I trusted him like a brother. If he truly betrayed me, then I need to know why.” Mary watched her parents quietly, not fully understanding the conversation. But she could feel the tension. Her father rarely looked serious around her. Suddenly, bright headlights appeared behind them. Too bright. Too fast. James frowned slightly and checked the mirror. A large truck was speeding toward them aggressively. Jane noticed it too. “James…” she whispered nervously. The truck grew closer. Its headlights flashed violently through the rain. Mary sat up slowly in confusion. “Daddy?” James’ expression darkened. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. The truck suddenly accelerated. Jane gasped. “James!” CRASH! The impact slammed violently into the back of the car. Mary screamed as the vehicle spun across the wet highway. Glass shattered everywhere. Metal twisted loudly. James struggled desperately to control the steering wheel. Another violent hit came from behind. Harder this time. Deadlier. The car lost control completely. Jane cried out in fear while reaching for Mary. “Hold on!” Mary’s small body shook violently against the seatbelt. Rainwater mixed with blood across the cracked windows. James looked into the mirror one final time. And his face filled with horror. Because he recognized the driver. “Recce…” he whispered painfully. The truck slammed into them again. The car flipped. Everything became chaos. Screaming. Glass. Blood. Darkness. Then silence. Only the sound of rain remained. Mary slowly opened her eyes. Pain burned across her body. Her vision blurred badly. She could barely breathe. The car was upside down. Smoke rose into the air. “Mom?” she whispered weakly. No answer. Her tiny fingers trembled as she reached toward the front seat. She saw blood running down her father’s face. James was motionless. Mary’s breathing became shaky. “M-Mom…” Jane’s hand moved slightly. Very slowly. Her mother turned weakly toward her. Tears mixed with blood on her face. “Mary…” Jane whispered softly. Mary cried immediately. “I’m scared…” Jane tried reaching toward her daughter one last time. But her strength faded. Her hand dropped lifelessly. Mary screamed. Outside the destroyed car, another door opened. A tall figure stepped out into the rain. Recce Robinson. His expensive black shoes splashed through muddy water as he slowly approached the wreckage. Lightning flashed across his face. Mary stared at him through the broken glass. Recce’s expression carried no sadness. No guilt. Only panic. His breathing became uneven as he looked at the dead bodies inside the car. Then his eyes locked onto Mary. Alive. Mary saw it clearly. Fear. He never expected her to survive. For a long moment, neither moved. Mary’s small body trembled violently. “U-Uncle Recce…” she whispered weakly. Recce froze. The sound of her voice shattered something inside him. He stepped closer to the car slowly. His hand tightened into a fist. For one terrifying second, Mary thought he was going to help her. But the coldness in his eyes frightened her. Distant police sirens suddenly echoed through the highway. Recce quickly stepped back. Panic crossed his face. Without another word, he rushed back toward the truck. Mary watched helplessly as the vehicle disappeared into the storm. Leaving her alone beside her dead parents. Rain poured endlessly around the wreckage. Mary cried until her voice became weak. That night, something inside her changed forever. The little girl who once believed in love, family, and happiness died on that highway. And in her place… A broken survivor was born.