Chapter 2
Maybe Liam's busy choosing a gift for Chloe.
I snapped a blood-stained ultrasound photo with trembling hands.
That scan showed our two tiny babies who never saw the world.
I wanted to send it to him.
He needed to see what he'd lost.
But my finger paused over send.
Would it matter if I sent it to him?
Would it just guilt him?
Or would he accuse me again of using the baby to trap him?
Just then, my phone buzzed.
It was a voice message from Liam.
A final hope sparked in my heart. Maybe he regretted it.
When I played the message, only his irritated shout answered.
"Evelyn, where are you? Chloe wants water. Don't you have a thermos? Bring it quickly!
"Stop pretending! I know you're by the exit!"
My hand went limp, and the phone fell onto the debris-covered ground.
By the exit?
I felt helpless, stuck in the mall's deepest part.
He ignored where I was and assumed I was overreacting.
Even now, he only thought about Chloe wanting water.
I burst out laughing.
My broken laughter left tears and snot smeared on her face, making her utterly disheveled.
I was not worth Chloe even getting water.
The flames spread, and the heat was suffocating.
My leg pinned under the beam was numb—likely nerve damage.
At least it didn't hurt anymore.
I pressed record on my phone.
My voice was eerily calm this time.
No hysteria, no pleas for help.
"Liam, you don't need to wait.
"I've had the water, and I'm taking our baby with me."
Then I released my finger and hit send.
The red exclamation mark briefly circled, then became a checkmark—sent.
That was my most defiant statement ever.
In the blaze, time both dragged and flew by.
I could feel my strength slipping away, little by little.
The shelves around me collapsed loudly.
Each tremor felt like death was near.
I curled tightly, shielding my unborn child as best I could.
Even though I knew it was pointless, I tried anyway.
"I'm so sorry, baby.
"Mommy chose wrongly and hurt you.
"In your next life, don't choose me as your mom. Find a loving family and a dad who loves your mom."
I seemed to see Liam in my daze.
Not the cold fire captain, but the college boy in a white shirt, smiling at her on the field.
I had scraped her knee during PE back then.
Liam carried me across campus, sweat soaking his back, searching for the nurse's office.
He said he'd always carry me when needed.
He said he'd fight anyone who tried to hurt me.
Those promises once felt sweet.
Somewhere along the way, everything changed.
Was it when Chloe returned?
Or was it the first time I gave in for him, out of loyalty?
Every time I gave in, I lost a part of myself I could never get back.
Until today, only my life remains to surrender.
Suddenly, the entire building was shaken by a violent tremor.
The structure groaned under the weight.
The main support column snapped loudly.
I knew this was the end.
Survival kicked in. I tried to move, but I couldn't.
I wasn't prey caught in a trap.
I was garbage, discarded.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded nearby.
"Anyone? Anyone alive?" the voice echoed through the chaos.
It was young, shaky, and near tears.
Was that another rescue team member?
I opened her lips, wanting to cry for help.
But my throat burned, packed with hot coals—I was mute.
All I could manage was a faint gasp for air.
Footsteps approached, then receded.
"Captain! The fire's too strong—we can't enter!" someone shouted.
"Fall back! The place is collapsing!" another voice yelled.
Liam's cold, authoritative voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"Evacuate now! That's an order!"
"Captain, I think I heard something," someone called anxiously.
"I said fall back! The third floor is clear. I already checked!" Liam barked.
His voice crushed my last hope.
He checked?
Checked what?
So only Chloe's safety mattered?
The young team member hesitated briefly but obeyed the order.
The footsteps disappeared entirely.
Only the sound of fire consuming everything remained.
I closed her eyes for the last time.
Liam, you were cruel!
You didn't just kill me—you destroyed our unborn child.
I hoped you never felt regret, not even in dreams.
I would never forgive you.
Outside the mall, the plaza was lit up by flashing police lights.
Liam placed Chloe on the stretcher.
She whimpered, gripping Liam's shirt tightly.
"Liam, don't go. I'm scared."
He crouched, gently reassuring Chloe with a soft touch on her hand.
"Hey, let the doctor help with your wound. I need to go—people are waiting," he said gently but firmly.
She sniffled and reluctantly let go of his shirt.
The young nurse brought disinfectant, and when she touched Chloe's finger, Chloe screamed sharply.
"Be more careful!" she cried in pain and frustration.
Liam shouted at the nurse.
"Go easy! She's afraid of pain!" he snapped urgently.
The nurse muttered, annoyed. "It's just a scratch—if she'd waited, it would've healed."
Liam ignored her, grabbed his walkie-talkie, and prepared to coordinate the next rescue.
Just then, his personal phone rang.
It was a message notification.
It was Evelyn's custom ringtone.
Irritation welled up inside him.
What's she fussing about now?
He grumbled she refused to bring water and was likely texting complaints about him or cursed at Chloe.
He could clearly picture Evelyn's bitter, mean face.