Chapter 5
“Are you out of your mind?” Leanna leaped out of bed, ready to flee, but Crystal gripped her wrist firmly.
“What’s the rush?” Crystal taunted. “Do you really think I’ll perish with you?”
She leaned into Leanna’s ear and whispered icily, “I had someone call Dylan before I arrived. Tell me, who do you think he’ll rescue first?”
The thick smoke made Leanna’s eyes water uncontrollably. She fought to free herself but heard the sound of hurried footsteps beyond the door.
“Crystal! Leanna!”
As Brenton burst into the flaming room, Leanna had a fleeting memory of their wedding night. He had held her close and promised, “Leanna, no matter what, you will always be my top priority.”
But the truth was, he didn’t even glance her way. Instead, he scooped up Crystal and dashed out.
“Brenton…” Leanna called out, reaching for him, but a falling beam blocked her path.
The intense heat scorched her skin. As she collapsed, it felt like she was seeing Brenton walking toward her on the playground all over again.
***
“Leanna? Leanna!”
The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the air as Leanna struggled to open her eyes.
E
17
Brenton sat beside her, his chin covered in dark stubble and deep shadows etched beneath his eyes.
“You’ve just had a skin graft. Don’t move,” he advised, reaching out to steady her, but she pulled away from his touch.
“A skin graft?!” Leanna’s voice was raspy, disbelief evident in her tone.
Brenton frowned deeply. “You started the fire and nearly killed Crystal. Now you’ve had a skin graft. Is there any reason to be so upset?”
Leanna suddenly began to laugh, tears brimming as she did. “She said I started the fire? And just because she said it, you believed her?”
“What else should I think?” Brenton sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. “I’m her husband. If I don’t believe her, who else
should I trust?”
The word “husband” pierced Leanna’s heart like a dagger.
Leanna abruptly yanked the needle from the back of her hand. “Then why are you here? Leave!” she demanded.
The infusion bottle crashed to the floor, shattering. Brenton applied pressure to her bleeding hand, trying to soothe her. “Leanna, please calm down. I understand you’re upset, but just hold on for ten more months. Once the baby is born…”
“Get out!” Leanna interrupted, hurling a pillow at him. “I never want to see you again!”
The pillow barely grazed his shoulder, feeling light and insubstantial.
Brenton remained still, swallowing hard before finally turning to leave.
After the door clicked shut, Leanna noticed a box of her favorite toffees on the bedside table.
In a fit of anger, she threw it against the wall, the candies scattering across the floor, mirroring her shattered heart.
