Chapter 3

It felt like I was back in the fire.

It was the day of Celia Gibson's birthday party. Cedric had to leave for a meeting, but before he went, he made Eloise stay home to work on a proposal.

After he left, she begged me to take her. She hadn't shown interest in anything for so long. It was a rare spark of life in her eyes.

I hesitated, but she broke down in my arms. She said the pressure of taking over the company was crushing her. She just wanted one night off, but was too scared to tell Cedric.

I'd watched Eloise grow up. She was like a little sister to me.

I couldn't bear to turn her down. So I said yes.

I never expected the party hall to go up in flames. Chaos broke out. A friend tried to pull me to safety, but I fought free and pushed through the crowd, shouting Eloise's name.

I searched desperately, but could not find her. Fire clawed my skin, smoke choked me, and darkness took me.

Then everything went dark. I woke up in the hospital. Cedric sat beside me, his face smeared with soot, part of his hair burned away. When he saw I was awake, relief flooded his eyes.

I grabbed his hand. "Did you find Eloise?"

He stared at me, stunned. "You took her with you? Why didn't you tell me?"

But it was too late.

I took Eloise with me, but I didn't bring her back.

Over a dozen people died. Some bodies were unrecognizable. Eloise was one of them, nothing left but ashes.

I lay unconscious for a full day before the weekly cleaner found me and called an ambulance.

The doctor said my condition had worsened. I probably wouldn't make it to winter.

Maybe that was for the best. Cedric and I fell in love during the first snow. We once promised that if we ever watched the snow together, it meant we'd stay together for life.

Now, I didn't want that future anymore.

During my chemo, Cedric called. He knew I hadn't appeared in public for years, but he ordered me to attend a charity gala with him that night.

"I'm in the hospital," I said. "Take Denise with you."

He laughed coldly. "I don't care if your legs are broken. You'll crawl there if you have to. Remember, I saved your life, but you killed my sister and almost made Denise lose our baby. You owe me."

So Denise was pregnant. I caught my reflection in the hospital room mirror, pale, drained, broken.

Suddenly, I was just tired. I was tired of the fighting and the heartache. Softly, I said, "Just wait a little longer. I'll repay everything soon."

He was quiet for a moment and then snorted, "Do you think I'll pity you?"

His voice turned sharp. "If you don't show up, your family's two-year project is finished. Your competitors will ruin them."

He hung up before I could say a word, leaving only the cold dial tone.

Cedric sent his secretary with a dress and orders to wait for him at the venue entrance.

The fire left my arms and shoulders scarred. I always covered up.

But this dress was strapless, putting every mark on display.

With a mask on, I felt like a total outsider among all the glamorous, well-dressed people.

I hugged myself, nails digging in, as passersby cast looks of pity or disdain. In the thick summer heat, I felt only an icy hollowness, like being thrown into the heart of winter.

I kept calling Cedric, hoping he'd show up faster, but he just wouldn't pick up.

I'd been standing there so long my leg was aching when Cedric finally showed up.

He smiled when he saw me, then turned and helped Denise out of the car.