The golden rays of the evening sun filtered through the Owens' living room curtains as laughter filled the air. The day had been nothing short of beautiful—soft conversations, shared memories, and warm smiles that hinted at something deeper growing between Olivia and Peter.
Dinner plates were cleared, the aroma of Amelia's cooking still hanging faintly in the room. Peter leaned back on the couch, smiling as Olivia's father cracked one of his rare jokes. For the first time, Peter felt at home—really at home.
But soon, it was time to go.
Peter rose from the couch and picked up his car key. "Thank you so much for today, sir, ma'am," he said respectfully. "It really means a lot."
Amelia smiled warmly. "You're always welcome here, Peter. Drive safely, okay?"
Olivia stood beside him, holding his bag as they walked toward the door. Her heart felt strangely heavy, as if something was telling her she wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet.
John followed them out, exchanging a few light-hearted remarks with Peter before giving him a friendly pat on the back. "Take care of yourself, young man," he said.
Peter nodded. "I will, sir."
He walked toward his car and opened the door. But before he could step in, he noticed Olivia still standing there, her eyes fixed on him like she was waiting for something unsaid. Amelia, standing by the doorway, caught her daughter's gaze and gave her a gentle nod—a silent mother's signal that spoke louder than words.
Olivia's heart raced. Her fingers trembled. She took a deep breath, ran toward Peter, and before he could even react—
She kissed him.
It was soft. Pure. A moment suspended in time.
Peter froze, eyes wide, then slowly smiled as Olivia stepped back, her cheeks flushed. "Goodnight," she whispered shyly.
He couldn't stop smiling. "Goodnight, Olivia."
As he got into his car, he caught one last glimpse of her in the side mirror—standing by the gate, her mother's arm now around her shoulders. He turned on the engine, rolled down the window, and waved.
Then, with music blasting softly from the car stereo, he drove off into the fading orange light of the evening.
Inside the car, Peter felt weightless. His heart pounded with happiness. The memory of that kiss played in his mind over and over, each replay making him grin wider. He began singing along with the music, tapping the steering wheel and laughing to himself.
He didn't even notice the bend in the road until it was too late.
The tires screeched.
The sound of impact tore through the night.
Then silence.
A few minutes later, a phone began to ring.