Chapter 28

Bella's POV

The flames danced with an intensity that mirrored the chaos in my heart. The penthouse, once a symbol of luxury and opulence, was now engulfed in a sea of destruction and despair. The crackling of the fire mingled with the sound of alarms blaring, creating a symphony of devastation that echoed through the halls.

As smoke billowed through the rooms, obscuring my vision, I stumbled forward, coughing and gasping for breath. My eyes searched frantically for Xander, my love, my anchor in this sea of chaos. And there he was, emerging from the thick smoke with a look of determination on his face.

"Bella!" His voice rang out, filled with urgency and concern. He reached out a hand, pulling me closer to him. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, my voice choked with emotion. "Yes, Xander, I'm okay. We need to get out of here."

Together, we made our way through the inferno, stepping over debris and broken remnants of our once beautiful home. The fire raged around us, devouring everything in its