6
4:06 PM •
<
A bitter laugh escaped me.
You love her so selflessly.
Yet I’m the one you sacrificed.
I turned off the TV and returned to my room.
A text message popped up on my phone:
“We’ve retrieved what you wanted. We’re coming to pick you up now.”
The wedding had reached the bouquet toss.
James watched the girl in the wedding dress smiling happily, and downed a glass of wine.
For some reason, he thought of Lily’s eyes when they got married.
Full of trust in him despite all the betrayal she had endured.
Thinking of his years of deception,
James tugged at his tie, trying to reassure himself.
She’s forgotten all about what happened anyway.
He had already helped fulfill Amy’s greatest wish.
From now on, he would take Lily abroad and they could live their life together, just the two of them.
His silenced phone started vibrating frantically.
James picked up the call, and after listening for tr
sentences, his face turned deathly pale.
“What did you say? How could a fire suddenly break out?”
The person on the other end sounded very anxious:
“The fire started in madam’s room. She watched the live broadcast of Miss Amy’s wedding for a while today, then locked herself in. We finally managed to pick the lock, but found heavy objects blocking the door!”
James was so panicked he could barely breathe. He stood up and was about to run out:
“Call the fire department immediately! Try to get in through the windows to put out the fire!”
Amy saw him about to leave and quickly went to stop him:
“James, there’s going to be dancing later. Aren’t you going to dance with me?”
James‘ face was terrifyingly pale:
There’s a fire at home. I need to go back and save Lily.”
Amy was displeased:
“Who cares what happens to her? Didn’t you say my wedding was the most important thing? How can you leave halfway through for that bitch Lily Evans!”
“It’d be best if she burned to death. Then you wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of taking her abroad.”
James listened to Amy’s usual contempt and curses towards Lily
D
4:06 PM
<
For the first time, he felt disgusted.
“Enough! The main parts of your wedding are basically over. Don’t stop me from going back to save Lily!”
Amy wouldn’t let it go. She pouted, looking wronged:
“You haven’t taken your marriage to her seriously, have you? Wasn’t it agreed from the start that it was just an act?”
“We’re the real family. You were even willing to help me deal with the overlooked online surveillance backup that night. Why are you so worried about her now?”
Mentioning the surveillance footage backup he had personally found a hacker to clear, James‘ whole body stiffened.
His heart felt like it was splitting open.
He had always known that little Daisy’s death was an eternal pain in Lily’s heart.
Yet after covering for her enemy, he still wanted to make her forget this hatred in a daze.
Recalling the psychologist’s words back then, James could no longer tolerate Amy’s endless chatter.
He shoved her away hard and turned to run towards the parking lot.
He drove at breakneck speed.
By the time he reached the home he shared with Lily,
The entire villa had long been engulfed by the huge fire.
James ran towards it like a madman.
The bodyguards he had arranged grabbed him.
“Let go of me! I have to save my Lily! My Lily is still inside!”
The bodyguard apologized in a low voice:
“Sir, we have to ensure your safety.”
James was held back tightly until the fire was completely extinguished before finally being released.
He stumbled into the ruins and grabbed a firefighter in charge of the search:
“Have you seen my wife? Has she been rescued?”
The firefighter regretfully told him that the fire was too intense. Everything in the house had been burned beyond recognition. It was impossible for anyone to have survived.
James‘ eyes turned red as he charged past the police line.
Frantically digging through the rubble regardless of the danger.
“Lily! Come out! Don’t scare me! I’m begging you, come out and see me!”
But no matter how much he shouted,
No one would ever respond to him again.
