“Hang on, Jeanette! I swear I’ll get you out of here!”
That familiar voice snapped me back to reality and made me break out in a cold sweat. I opened my eyes just in time to see the burnt wooden door—warped from the flames—crash down, missing my face by inches.
Terrified, I pulled my mother-in-law, Phyllis Mason, back into the bedroom.
“Don’t open the windows, Phyllis! That’ll just make the fire worse,” I said.
I quickly scanned the room, grabbed a pillowcase, soaked it with bottled water, and handed it to her so she could cover her mouth and nose.
I could hear the sirens getting louder outside.
Phyllis’ face lit up with relief. “Don’t be afraid. Caleb’s here with the rescue team. We’ll be fine.”
I looked at her hopeful face, then lowered my gaze, my heart heavy. I had no clue how to tell her that one day, Caleb Holt would end up killing her granddaughter for the woman he truly loved.
The fire raged on, and the heat inside was unbearable. The tiles beneath our feet were almost too hot to stand on.
I managed to get Phyllis to a safer spot when I heard Caleb’s voice from the other side of the door.
“Bri, Bri, are you in there? Don’t worry. I’m here to get you out!”
The door crashed open with a loud bang. The fiery red flames blocked my view, but I could hear Brianna Jones crying.
“I’m on the balcony, Cay! Help me! I’m so scared!”
“Everyone, follow me! Stop wasting time searching! Follow me straight to the balcony to rescue her!”
As soon as Phyllis heard that, she clutched her chest and started gasping. “Caleb… That brat… How could he…”
She didn’t finish her sentence before her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed from anger and fear.
Through the thick flames, I saw Caleb holding Brianna in his arms, carrying her out. The whole place was burning, and the tears in my eyes vanished as soon as they hit the air.
I bit my tongue to keep from screaming for help. I didn’t owe Caleb anything anymore—not in this lifetime.
He left with Brianna.
