Chapter 1

1

The house was on fire.

Mom and I could have escaped.

Dad, instead, called, telling us to find his childhood sweetheart, Annabelle, and her daughter, Cindy, who lived next door, and bring them down.

That's why we missed our chance.

He, a firefighter, rescued them first.

Then, trying to get to us, he was blocked by a falling beam.

Mom burned alive.

I was left scarred, blamed for starting the blaze, and hated by everyone online.

I wanted to prove my innocence.

Dad told me to be quiet.

"If you clear your name, what about Annabelle and Cindy? Be generous. Can't you take the fall for them?"

I refused.

I tried to call the cops, and Dad, eyes red, yanked out my oxygen tube.

"You're too hurt, honey. You'll be in pain even if you live. Suicide is the best way out, for everyone."

Full of bitterness, I died in that hospital bed.

I woke up, back on the day of the fire.

......

The smell of smoke hit me, and I sat straight up.

Looking around, I broke out in a cold sweat.

No burns, no bandages!

Just the growing smell of smoke.

No time to think, I ran to the next room and woke Mom.

Last time, a fire had started in the hallway, spreading to our place.

Mom and I could have gotten out.

But no, our neighbor had to be Dad's little crush!

He, a firefighter, actually told us to go back and get Annabelle and her kid.

That's how Mom died.

This time, no hesitation, I grabbed Mom and got out.

"Lily, don't run ahead. Mom's in front. Stay behind me."

Feeling Mom's love again, I teared up.

Last time, I was burned so badly, lying in a hospital bed with infected wounds, and nobody cared.

If Mom had been alive, she would have been there, keeping watch.

"It's okay, Mom. The fire is still contained. We just need to get downstairs."

We raced down the stairwell.

But I stopped us on the third floor.

Mom adored Dad.

This time, if we were going to survive, she needed to see him for who he really was.

"Lily, why are we stopping?"

I looked around. "Mom, the fire's moving upwards. We're safe here for now."

Mom clutched her chest, like she was relieved.

Then, she said, "Call your dad. Tell him to send the fire trucks!"

I just smiled.

His call came less than a minute later.

This time, I put him on speaker.