Chapter 1
My home burned while my firefighter husband Derek Jeter diverted his entire crew to save his first love who was attempting suicide.]
I watched our carefully decorated home turn to ash without bothering to call him.]
In my previous life, he answered my call and rushed to save pregnant me. His first love, overwhelmed by depression, jumped from the 18th floor, dying instantly.
Axel swore he had no regrets about choosing me and our baby. Our wedding proceeded as planned.
But on our wedding day, he snapped my leg and dragged me to his first love’s grave.
The fucking fire was nothing. Ember,” he snarled. “You deliberately sent me away so I couldn’t see her one last time!”
“Layla was pure and innocent. Why couldn’t worthless trash like you have died instead?“|
Like a madman, he cut our baby from my womb, threw it from the 18th floor, then burned me alive.
When I opened my eyes again, I’d returned to the day of the fire. This time, if he wanted to save his precious first love, I’d
let him. I was done fighting for his love.
Thick smoke filled the apartment.[]
Choking through violent coughs, I grabbed my phone and dialed 911.
The
on the phone was al
all too familiar.
“Well, well, Ember,” the voice said smugly. “Axel said you’d call. Guess he was right.”
Derek–my husband’s fellow firefighter and drinking buddy.
“Derek, my place is on fire. Send someone now.”
0
A burning wardrobe collapsed nearby, its flaming debris searing my skin and tearing a scream from my throat.
Despite my obvious distress, Derek sounded amused.
“Drop the act, Ember.”
“Axel already told me you’d call because you’re jealous he’s saving his first love. We both know it’s bullshit.”
“Anyway, the police are short–staffed, so quit your drama.”
“Layla’s situation is actually life or death. You and Axel are getting married soon–your petty Jealousy isn’t helping your relationship at all.”
The flames grew more intense. I hung up on Derek’s condescending voice.
Five years wasted on Axel. I stared at our burning home–five years of memories fueling the flames around me. My hand drifted to my belly.
I never expected to relive this nightmare.
The first time, I called Axel directly. He rushed over with his team, missing Layla’s fifteen desperate calls.]
Later, we discovered Layla had experienced a severe depressive episode and jumped from the 18th floor.
After surviving the fire, I cried in Axel’s arms as he promised he had no regrets about saving me and our child. All lies.[]
Our wedding went ahead as planned. I wore my dream dress, marrying the man I’d loved for five years. Just as I thought we were beginning our new life, he destroyed everything.
Axel broke my leg. Blood soaked my wedding dress. Ignoring my screams, he drove me to where Layla had jumped and forced me to kneel and apologize to her.
I had no idea what I’d done wrong.
This man was my husband. My baby’s father.
His eyes blazed with hatred: “The fire was nothing. Ember. You fucking manipulated me so I couldn’t say goodbye to her!”
“If I hadn’t found Layla’s diary, I’d never have known what a conniving bitch you really are!”
“Her depression was YOUR doing. Layla was a goddamn angel while you’re nothing but poison. Why the fuck couldn’t it have been your brains splattered on the pavement instead?”
I had no idea what he was talking about, But Axel had truly snapped.]
“Now you can feel what it’s like to lose everything you lover”
With a knife, he cut our baby from my womb and threw it from the 18th floor.
My agonized screams didn’t trigger an ounce of compassion in him.
He dragged me like roadkill and locked me in a dark room.
I begged him to spare me, asking what our five years together had meant.
stood there, expressionless, pouring gasoline all over the room.]
My final memory was him staring down at me–not as his new wife, but as his mortal enemy.
He flicked his lighter and ignited the gasoline-
The thought of spending five years with disgusting filth like you makes me fucking sick!”
“You like faking fires to make me come running? Let’s see how you enjoy burning for real, bitch. I hope it hurts the entire
umer
