Chapter 3

I stood frozen, watching Frank and Sophie wrapped in each other's arms. My chest tightened painfully, as if an invisible hand was crushing my heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.

I turned to leave, but my shoulder caught the pillar beside me, the sudden noise echoing through the silence.

Frank and Sophie turned to face me at the same time. When Frank realized it was me, a flash of panic and awkwardness flickered across his expression.

Sophie glanced at me, then at Frank, her eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of hostility.

She gently hooked her arm around Frank's, her voice soft but with a subtle edge. "Frank, who is she?"

Frank hesitated for a moment before replying, "She's a friend. Emily Bennett."

Sophie's eyes dimmed briefly, but she quickly composed herself.

He released Sophie, opened his mouth as if to explain, but in the end just said, "Emily, why are you here?"

I forced a smile, swallowing the pain. "Do you think I shouldn't be here and that I should've died in the fire instead?"

Frank's face darkened. "Emily, can you stop being so snarky?"

I didn't say anything else, just stared at their intertwined fingers. "Miss Lane, I feel obligated to remind you. The hand you're holding belongs to my boyfriend.

"Unless you want to be the other woman, of course."

Sophie's face instantly drained of color. She hurriedly let go of Frank's hand, her eyes filled with hurt.

Frank frowned, clearly annoyed as he looked at me. "Emily, stop being dramatic. It's not like that between Sophie and me."

I let out a cold laugh. "Really? Then what do you call that hug just now?

"We haven't even broken up yet, and you're already with her. If she's not the other woman, then what is she?"

Frank raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

Regret flashed across his face as he stepped toward me. "I..."

I pressed my hand to my cheek, my eyes going red, but I bit down hard on my lip.

I glared at him, stubborn and furious. "Frank, you hit me? You hit me for that woman?"

Frank's hand hovered awkwardly in the air, regret flickering across his face. But he quickly calmed down and said coldly, "You're out of line. Sophie hasn't done anything wrong."

Sophie gently tugged at Frank's sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "Frank, don't be like this. Maybe I did something to upset Miss Bennett."

Frank immediately looked at Sophie with tenderness, his tone soft. "Sophie, it's not your fault. She's just being unreasonable."

I watched them banter, talking as if I wasn't even there. For a moment, I felt like I didn't even belong.

All the hurt and anger inside me boiled over. "Frank, what am I to you?"

Frank's brows knitted together, impatience clear in his eyes. "Emily, stop being so unreasonable. Sophie and I grew up together. That's something you could never understand. And we're not even married, so you don't get to boss me around."

His words blindsided me. I never thought he'd say something that cruel.

So many things I wanted to say, but not a single word would come out.

Sophie noticed my reaction, and for a brief moment, I caught a glint of satisfaction in her eyes before she quickly masked it with feigned concern.

She turned to Frank, her voice gentle and considerate. "Frank, don't be so hard on Miss Bennett. She's only acting this way because she cares about you. Maybe I should give you two some space."

But Frank pulled Sophie close, his voice resolute. "Sophie, don't bother with her. Let's go. You're not feeling well, so you shouldn't be out here in the wind. Let me take you home."

With that, he actually took Sophie by the hand and walked away. I was left standing there, stunned and alone, watching their figures disappear into the distance. Tears finally streamed down my face.

I watched as their figures faded into the distance.

My heart was aching.

The wound on my foot throbbed dully, and just as I was about to collapse, a hand caught me firmly around the waist, holding me up.

I looked up.

It was a man in a firefighter's uniform with striking features. His arm was wrapped in bandages.

"Thank you," I whispered.

His eyes landed on my face, and only then did I realize my cheeks were wet with tears.

Without a word, he helped me back to my room, gave me a gentle smile, and then left.

As soon as he left, the nurse came in to change my bandages.

She made small talk, casually asking, "Is that your boyfriend out there?"

"What?" I asked, confused.

The nurse's eyes sparkled with a hint of envy. "The one in the firefighter uniform. He pulled you out of the fire yesterday and stayed by your side all night.

"He got a pretty deep cut on his arm, but he barely got it treated. You two must be really close."