Chapter 3

I rushed into the bedroom, desperately trying to wake Luna and Liam. Yet, no matter how hard I shook them, they would not stir. With no other option, I tied the rope tightly around my body. I secured one child to my front and the other to my back.

As I prepared to run back to the balcony, a crystal chandelier came crashing down, narrowly missing the three of us by a second. I froze for a moment, catching my breath, before pushing forward. Behind me, I could hear the chaotic sounds of furniture collapsing and explosions echoing through the apartment.

Time was running out. If I did not get out in a matter of seconds, the heat blast could send us all hurtling from the building.

When I reached the balcony, I was startled by the voices calling from below. The fire department had arrived while I was inside and had already set up an emergency rescue cushion.

"Jump! Hurry, jump down!"

Relief washed over me. Tightening my grip on the children, I threw myself off the balcony without hesitation.

The moment we landed safely on the air cushion, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. As I lay there, tears slipped from the corners of my eyes. It was a moment of release—a bittersweet victory.

In this life, I had sought to take revenge on Emery and Sasha. Nonetheless, my priority had always been saving these two innocent children.

The firefighters quickly cleared a path and carried the unconscious kids to a waiting ambulance. I followed them to the hospital, then collapsed onto a bench outside the emergency room. My body felt drained of all strength as I finally caught my breath.

"Caroline! What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn't you explain the situation better earlier?"

I looked up to see Derrick storming toward me. His expression was somewhere between annoyance and disbelief. I could not help but find it amusing.

I had no intention of engaging with him, but Derrick was not one to back down. He snarled, "You planned this whole tragic stunt just to make yourself look like a hero, didn't you?

"You wanted everyone to see how much effort you put in and bash Emery for being heartless, right? And since those kids aren't even yours, you felt no guilt putting them in danger for your little spectacle!"

His eyes were filled with contempt as he mocked me. He was still trying to pin this entire situation on me.

"So you're saying I orchestrated this fire—risked the lives of two children—just to grab Emery's attention and turn people against him?" I asked. My voice was calm despite my exhaustion.

"Of course! Isn't that exactly what you did?" Derrick puffed out his chest, glaring at me like he had solved a mystery.

"Good," I said, locking eyes with him. "Remember those words because you won't deny that you ignored my emergency call earlier, will you?"

"Of course not. Emergency resources aren't something people like you can manipulate at will," he retorted smugly.

"Good to know," I muttered. Just then, the doctor emerged from the emergency room.

"Doctor, how are the children?" I rushed toward him. Concern flooded my voice.

"They're still unconscious," he said while shaking his head solemnly. "Both of them inhaled a large amount of smoke. They're suffering from severe carbon monoxide poisoning, and we'll need to monitor them closely."

"There's one other matter I need to discuss with you," the doctor added.

My heart sank at his words, but I braced myself. Something about his expression told me there was more.

"Doctor, please, do tell," I urged.

"Well..." The doctor hesitated. Then, he glanced nervously at Derrick.

I could tell he was worried about confidentiality and the risk of Derrick spreading information. However, in this life, I was determined to expose Emery and Sasha for who they truly were.

Hence, if Derrick wanted to meddle, I would make sure he helped broadcast the truth far and wide. I gave the doctor a reassuring nod and replied firmly, "It's fine. You can speak freely."