Chapter 4

Ashley POV

The moment our eyes met, I saw a flicker of panic, almost imperceptible, in Liam's eyes.

He released Serena's hand and took a step forward, as if to come over. But Serena chose that moment to let out a delicate whimper of pain. "Liam, I feel so dizzy."

Liam's steps were rooted to the spot. He looked at the swaying Serena in his arms, then back at me, pale-faced and hooked up to an IV behind the curtain. Finally, he turned back to support Serena.

"I'll take Serena to get bandaged first, I'll come find you later," he said coldly, from several feet away.

I didn't respond. I simply pulled the curtain shut, blocking his view.

I knew Liam too well. As long as Serena shed a single tear, his "later" would become "never."

Sure enough, even after I finished my IV, had the needle removed, and walked out of the hospital alone, Liam never reappeared.

For the next few days, I buried myself in work. I took on more tutoring jobs, leaving early and returning late, deliberately avoiding any encounters with Liam and Serena.

Liam seemed to enjoy my absence too. He spent every day shopping, visiting art exhibits, and seeing a therapist with Serena, acting like a devoted boyfriend.

One afternoon, I was teaching a class at a high-end tutoring center downtown.

The center was on the third floor of an old commercial building. Downstairs was a popular coffee shop.

I was standing at the podium, explaining a complex math problem, when suddenly, a piercing fire alarm blared through the entire building.

"Fire! Run!" There were heart-wrenching screams from outside.

My face changed. I immediately put down the chalk and directed the dozen students in the classroom. "Don't panic, everyone! Cover your mouths and noses with your clothes, duck down, and form a line to the emergency exit!"

Thick smoke quickly poured in through the door cracks, making it hard to see. By the time I shielded the last student out of the classroom, the hallway was engulfed in flames.

The old building's fire safety system was outdated, and the fire spread incredibly fast. I coughed violently from the smoke, tears streaming down my face.

I fumbled my way towards the stairwell, but at a corner, a suddenly collapsing wooden beam struck my calf.

I cried out in pain, falling heavily to the ground.

Sparks still clung to the beam, and the intense heat scorched my skin, making me almost pass out. I desperately tried to push the beam away, but it was too heavy. I couldn't budge it.

Flames licked at the surrounding walls, and the air grew thinner and thinner. I lay on the ground in despair, my vision gradually blurring.

Just then, a tall, imposing figure suddenly rushed up the stairwell.

It was Liam.

He was wearing a well-tailored suit, his face smudged with ash, anxiously searching for something in the inferno.

My heart pounded fiercely. Was he here to save me? Did he know I was teaching here, and rushed in despite the danger?

"Liam," I used all my strength, reaching out towards him, my voice hoarse beyond recognition. "I'm here. Save me."

Liam heard my voice and spun around.

Through the smoke and flames, his gaze landed precisely on me. I knew he saw me pinned under the burning beam, saw the desperate will to survive on my face.

He took long strides, running towards me.

Ten feet, five feet, three feet...

Just as I thought I was finally saved, and hope ignited in my eyes, a piercing cry suddenly came from the other end of the hallway.

"Liam! Help! I'm so scared!"

It was Serena.

She was in this building for some reason, now trapped near another classroom door, surrounded by fire.

Liam's steps abruptly halted.

He looked at me, so close, then at Serena in the distance. For the first time, his stern face showed struggle and hesitation.

"Liam," I stared at him, tears mixing with black ash and flowing into my mouth, bitter enough to make me gag.

Don't choose her.

Please, this time, don't choose her.

However, no miracle occurred.

Liam just looked at me deeply, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. Then, he unhesitatingly turned and sprinted towards Serena.

"Ashley, hang on! The firefighters will be here any minute! Serena has depression; she can't handle this!"

The man's voice cut through the flames, like a poisoned knife, savagely stabbing into my heart and then twisting.

I watched as Liam wrapped Serena in his suit jacket, picked her up, and rushed down the stairs without a single glance back.

He didn't even turn his head once.

The fire grew fiercer, and the ceiling above groaned, cracking under the strain.

I gave up struggling. I lay on the scorching floor, feeling the flames creep closer and closer. A string in my heart snapped completely.

Boom!

A massive, burning section of the ceiling crashed down, engulfing me entirely.