Chapter 10
The flames licked at Natalie’s skin, each burn unleashing waves of excruciating pain through her
body.
But none of it compared to the agony inside her heart.
She had given up everything–her family, her dignity, her hope–just to leave quietly. But neither Clarissa nor Colton had ever truly intended to let her go.
The fire crackled around her, drawing broken screams from her lips. Through the haze of pain and
smoke, her mind wandered back over her life.
She remembered sobbing into her grandma’s arm, asking,
“Why don’t my parents want me?”
Her grandma had gently held her and replied,
“Honey, don’t cry. They may not want you, but I do.”
Later, when her birth parents finally came for her, she had thought–naively–that the loneliness of her childhood had finally come to an end. That she’d finally have a home. A real family.
But they had already given their hearts to Clarissa.
Then she thought maybe–just maybe–Colton would be the one to stand by her side, to fight for
her when the world turned its back.
But years of so–called happiness turned out to be nothing more than a cruel, orchestrated illusion.
And now, all of it was about to vanish into ash.
Curled in on herself, the burning slowly gave way to a strange warmth.
Natalie closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her soot–streaked cheek.
So warm…
Just like lying in Grandma’s arms as a child.
Right before her consciousness faded, she thought she heard a voice.
“Don’t give up–please, stay with me…
As her legal husband, Colton Lowell arranged a full military funeral for Natalie.
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He refused to accept that she was really gone.
But after searching through the charred remains of the warehouse for a full day and night, he found
her body.
She’d been curled into a fetal position, burnt beyond recognition.
His hands trembled as he gently reached for what was left of her.
Once–soft skin, a smile that had always been so gentle–he couldn’t reconcile that sweet, bright
girl with the charred remains in front of him.
“Colton,” Clarissa said softly, her voice full of feigned sympathy,
“She’s gone, Colton. You have to let her go.”
In truth, she was already wondering how to reschedule the wedding.
But Colton didn’t hear her.
His mind was consumed by Natalie’s voice–broken and defiant in the fire:
“In the next life, I never want to see you again.”
He kept thinking about her expression the moment he chose Clarissa, the heartbreak in her eyes.
She had known.
She had known the Joey was his. She had known the truth behind all the lies they’d fed her for years.
She had escaped the fire–only to choose death with her own hands.
Because she had lost the will to live.
Colton clutched the necklace she’d loved most–the one he’d fastened around her neck the day they
married.
All that remained was this fragile chain–proof that once, however fleetingly, they had been happy.
After the funeral, Colton drank constantly.
He wasted away in days, his body growing gaunt, his eyes hollow.
Mr. and Mrs. Hays watched him fall apart, their hearts heavy with guilt.
Colton had always been a good son–in–law–respectful, generous, loving.
He told them everything.
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That Natalie had found out about the child. About all the lies. About how everyone–everyone–had
betrayed her.
That she had survived the fire, but didn’t want to keep living.
That death had become her only escape.
It finally sank in.
The favoritism. The blind indulgence toward Clarissa. The countless chances they gave her.
It had all driven Natalie to despair.
Mrs. Hays wept daily, whispering through tears,
“We owe her too much… too much…”
Mr. Hays stopped speaking altogether, the black in his hair turning white in mere months.
As for Clarissa-
She had finally gotten what she wanted–Natalie out of the picture.
But there was no victory in it.
Colton never looked at her the way he once did.
His warmth, his affection–gone.
All he saw was the ghost of the woman he’d lost.
Every time he looked at Joey, he muttered softly,
“Natalie would’ve been four months along now. If she were still here… our baby would’ve been just
as beautiful.”
Clarissa ground her teeth behind a forced smile every time she heard it.
Natalie. Always Natalie.
Had they all forgotten?
Natalie’s baby wasn’t supposed to survive. That had always been the plan.
Joey was supposed to be the only child.
The only one.
Now, Colton never even mentioned the wedding.
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He spent his free time sitting in silence by Natalie’s grave.
Whenever Clarissa tried to get close, he brushed her off with cold indifference.
And slowly, fear began to take root in her heart.
She could see it–her parents changing, Colton changing.
Everyone who once adored her… was starting to look at her differently.
And no matter what she did, she couldn’t erase Natalie’s presence.
Even in death, Natalie cast a shadow she could never escape.
Clarissa began to dream.
Night after night.
Dreams where Natalie stood engulfed in the flames, eyes full of grief and fury;
And refused to let her go.
