Chapter 7
Natalie stepped out of the place she had called home for over six years as if she were just go- ing for a stroll.
She used to see Felix as her entire world and never imagined leaving him. But now that she was walking away, it wasn’t as difficult as she once feared.
Her steps felt lighter as she sent her flight details to Liam.
Suddenly, a car screeched to a stop next to her.
Three strong men jumped out, threw a black hood over her head, and dragged her into the vehicle.
In just a few seconds, the car sped off, leaving her phone behind.
Natalie forced herself to stay calm. “Who are you guys?”
But no one answered. Throughout the whole ride, they said nothing.
Eventually, she was tied to a chair in an old, abandoned house.
Mabel sat nearby, also tied up. But instead of looking scared, she was smiling.
“Don’t be so tense, Natalie. I just wanted to play a little game with you.”
Natalie stopped scanning around and looked at Mabel. “You set this up? Why? What do you want?”
People around them began pouring gasoline all over the place.
Mabel’s eyes lit up with a strange excitement.
“I’m already married to Felix, but you’re still clinging to him. You’d rather be his hidden mis- tress than leave him. I had to give you a reason to stop chasing him.
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“You’re so irritating. Felix even kept our marriage a secret because of you. He never treated me like this before.
“I heard you’re scared of fire. Want to bet on something? Let’s see who Felix will choose when he gets here. The one left behind will be burned to death.”
The house reeked of gasoline after several barrels were emptied inside. The strong odor made Natalie shiver.
“There’s no need for this! I already bought the plane ticket–I was on my way to the airport when you had me taken.
“Please let me go. I won’t fight you for Felix. He’s yours–he never loved me anyway.
“Tell them to stop! Don’t set it on fire. Please, don’t-”
But her pleas were useless. The lighter was tossed, landing in the gasoline, and the flames quickly spread.
Natalie froze, her breathing ragged as she stared at the fire.
Mabel sneered. “Scared of a little fire, are you?
“Don’t blame me for being cruel. I’ve always liked to grab what I wanted. I don’t need any- one’s hand–me–downs.
“The game’s begun. Let’s see how it ends.”
Then, her face twisted into panic, and she suddenly started screaming for help.
Natalie, paralyzed by fear, instinctively followed suit.
She was just as helpless as she had been 17 years ago.
Back when Anna was saved, nine–year–old Natalie hid under a table. The roof collapsed around her, black smoke filling her lungs until she could barely breathe. Flames eventually reached the table as well.
Her world became a blur of heat and fear.
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The firefighter said he’d be right back, but he never returned until she passed out.
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She woke up in the hospital and stayed there for over a year. Even after healing from one op- eration, she had to go through another. It felt like the surgeries would never end.
“Mabel? Natalie?”
Natalie thought she heard Felix’s voice. “Felix? Felix! I’m here–”
Flames were eating away at the old furniture. She was tied to a chair, unable to move.
Felix burst through the door. “Don’t be scared. I’ll get you out.”
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded desperately.
But just as Felix reached for the ropes, Mabel cried out weakly, “Felix…”
He turned toward Mabel.
Natalie saw Mabel smile at her and then collapse.
Felix untied Mabel’s rope and said anxiously, “Hold on, Natalie. Wait for me. I’ll come back. Don’t worry!”
His words were the same as what she heard back then, but the firefighter never came back. Fear of being left behind took over her again.
“Mabel is fine. She planned the whole thing. She wasn’t unconscious.
“I’m the one who saved your mother back then. Can you help me out first?”
Natalie was overwhelmed. She was shaking and struggling to speak clearly.
“Natalie, I never expected you’d go this far just to stay alive.” Felix tossed Mabel’s rope aside and pulled her into his arms. “I had you all wrong.”
Tears streamed down Natalie’s face. “Please don’t leave me! Don’t go…”
But he didn’t turn back. He vanished into the flames.
She cried harder, pleading with him.
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Back when nightmares used to torment her, it was Felix who helped her sleep. He knew ev- erything, yet he still walked away.
He had forgotten those dark days when she was the only light he had.
Natalie understood he would never return to save her.
Every time Mabel showed up, Natalie was the one who got left behind.
The engine’s roar cut through the crackling fire, sharp and painful.
Natalie collapsed with the chair and crawled slowly toward the fire, letting the heat sting the ropes still tied around her wrists behind her.
She wasn’t ready to die. She hadn’t said sorry to her parents. She just wanted to go home.
“You idiot.”
A cold snort came from above. Someone lifted her and undid the rope.
“That blind man already ran off with the woman he loves. Even if you burn alive, he’s not coming back for you.
“Oh, but he did call the fire department. Think you’ll still be breathing when they get here? Still dreaming of his fake sweet words?”
Blake carried Natalie out of the fire.
Her ears rang, and she couldn’t catch everything he said.
She clung to his neck, sobbing.
“Please take me home. I want to go home…”
Blake kept answering her, again and again, “Okay. I’ll take you home.”
Felix took Mabel to the hospital and persuaded her to get a check–up.
But his mind was stuck on Natalie’s teary face and her desperate cries asking him to stay.
She wasn’t picking up his calls either.
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Frustrated, he returned his assistant’s long string of missed calls. “Is Natalie safe?”
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The voice on the line sounded low. “I’m sorry, Mr. Harrison. I arrived less than five minutes after you left, but there was no one in the flames.”
Felix breathed a sigh of relief. “Then someone must’ve gotten her out. Find her. Search all nearby hospitals. Track down whoever kidnapped them and started the fire!”
He hung up and used all his connections to locate Natalie. Eventually, he found out which hospital had treated her.
But the messenger told him, “Ms. Shaw only treated her wounds. A helicopter picked her up. She just left Washington.”
“What?”
Natalie had never left his side before. Felix couldn’t believe she was gone.
“Double–check it! Maybe it’s just someone with the same name.”
Even as he said it, panic crept in.
He left Mabel at the hospital and rushed home.
Everything there was unchanged. The maid was making dinner, and Natalie’s belongings were still in place.
Just as he felt a bit of relief, the maid said, “Ms. Shaw told me to tell you she left some gifts for you on the bedside table.”
Those words convinced him she still loved him. He wouldn’t believe she would leave him.
With a small smile, Felix trotted into the bedroom.
There were two small gift boxes on the bedside table. He opened the familiar one–inside was the engagement ring he had given her.
His chest tightened. He reached for the note beneath the box.
Though there were only a few lines, they were enough to hit him like a lightning bolt.
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