"Eliana, where are you?" Now I heard Lisa’s voice co through. She was here too?
Did they call just now because they were already close here?
I couldn’t help but cough. The noise outside was getting louder, soone probably ca to put out the fire
Jas handed a wet cloth. "Ms. Brooks, cover your nose and mouth with this. Help is on the way. We’ll be fine!"
I nodded and looked at Joshua’s family and saw their faces filled with panic. They just lost their son, and now this? If they got hurt, I would never forgive myself.
I felt awful. If I hadn’t co here, they wouldn’t be in this ss. Clearly, soone was out to get and hurt the Morses as well.
"Crack!"
A sharp noise ca from above. I looked up to see the old beams, already a bit worn, beginning to loosen with the spreading fire.
This was the closest I’d ever been to death, but I tried to stay calm. I could hear the fire truck sirens in the distance. If we could hold on a little longer, we might be saved.
But the house was too old to withstand this for long. When the beams finally gave way. I heard Mia scream, and I leaped towards her without thinking.
Maybe it was guilt, but I was willing to do anything to protect Joshua’s parents.
I felt a heavy weight hit my back, followed by a searing pain. Then I felt water pouring down, putting out the fire on my back.
"Eliana!" Damon’s voice rang out, sounding desperate. "Eliana, answer !"
I wanted to reply, but I’d inhaled too much smoke, and my throat was in agony. It was hard to speak.
Sothing seed to be pinning down, immobilizing .
Just as I was about to pass out, I felt the weight lifting off . I managed to lift my head and found that Damon was looking at , his eyes red. The mont he saw , his tears fell.
"Damon..." I croaked, barely audible.
I wanted to say that I was Joshua’s family’s bad luck charm.
I wanted to ask about the family and about Jas
But I couldn’t speak. Then everything went black.
I must have been burnt on my back.
When I woke up. I was in pain and realized what had happened.
I was in a hospital gown, lying on my side. Damon was asleep on the edge of my bed.
He looked like he hadn’t slept well; his brows were furrowed even in sleep.
He must have been watching over all night.
I tried to move, but the pain in my back made gasp. The slight sound woke Damon up.
He opened his eyes, they were still red and bloodshot, with dark circles underneath.
"Are you awake? Does your back hurt?" Damon asked, his voice hoarse and tired.
"I’m alright, How are Calvin and the others?" I asked, looking at him anxiously
Damon’s face changed. "You’re worried about them? You’re the one who’s most seriously injured. They’re okay, they just inhaled so smoke and are being treated"
After hearing this, I let out a sigh of relief. Then sothing occurred to . "Why are you here? Is your mom here too?"
"She sent " Damon answered helplessly "She found out you were here, gave Ariel a piece of her mind, got the address from Hannah, and sent here"
I hadn’t expected Lisa to be so concerned about . I felt she cared more for than Damon did.
With Lisa not around, Damon and I didn’t need to pretend to avoid each other. So I told him what I was thinking.
I was certain the fire at Joshua’s family house was a plot. Like soone knew I was coming and set the fire to get
But who, besides Hannah and Damon, whom I trust, would know I was coming?
Damon frowned, seemingly puzzled
Just then, Lisa ca in with so food. Damon and I were deep in thought, making the atmosphere tense.
Lisa thought Damon and I were having a silent standoff and dragged Damon up. "Don’t upset Eliana. You should leave. I’ll take care of her."
Damon’s face turned pale. He looked helpless.
He got up and left the room.
Lisa sat down where he had been, held my hand, and looked at sympathetically. "Eliana, you’re too foolish. You should have sent soone for them. Why did you have to go yourself? It was dangerous."
"Madam, I... "I hesitated but didn’t ntion my guilt over Joshua.
"I know Damon’s a jerk. God knows what Ariel’s been feeding him. They’ve been at it for years. I’ve talked to Ariel, hoping she’d lay low." Lisa told earnestly.
I didn’t know what to say. If this kept up, I was worried about escaping unscathed.
Knowing I could no longer have kids made it clear there was no future for Damon and .
Seeing my silence, Lisa continued. "Hannah told you ca for her parents because of your friendship with Joshua. That makes think you’re a good girl with a strong sense of loyalty. I don’t like Ariel. She’s too cunning"
I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or embarrassed by her praise.
"Madam, there are plenty of fish in the sea; Damon doesn’t have to stick with Ariel. He could try dating other girls. and Damon... that’s a ship that’s sailed." I said as I glanced coldly at the hospital room door.
Lisa was taken aback, and then she let out a helpless sigh. "I know he’s hurt you, but I still think things aren’t over between you two..."
"Madam, Eliana."
Ariel’s voice echoed from the door; her face was a picture of sorrow. She must have heard so of the conversation between Lisa and .
The mont Ariel showed up, the smile on Lisa’s face vanished and was replaced by a look of rejection and disgust.
How on earth did Ariel end up here?
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