All Chapters of Burn Our Relationship to a Crisp: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Saturday rolled around, and as usual, I bought some groceries and headed over to visit my mother-in-law, Margaret Flint.But the moment I entered her apartment complex, I saw a thick black smoke billowing up. My heart lurched, and I dashed toward her building. A crowd had already gathered outside.Her neighbor, Mrs. Zeller, spotted me and grabbed my arm. "Oh, my goodness, Margaret's still inside! Hurry and call Joshua so he can bring his crew to put out the fire!"I watched the flames blaze out of control, my heart pounding with worry.My husband, Joshua Scott, was the captain of the local fire department. He'd definitely rush over if he knew Margaret was in danger.I tried calling him several times, but he never picked up. With no other choice, I dialed 911, urging them to come put out the fire as quickly as possible.The fire grew stronger by the second. I pulled out my phone, switched on the camera, and zoomed in on the balcony, trying to see what was happening inside. I spo

"Ruby, you're looking for Josh, right?" Louis asked. "This address is actually Mrs. Scott's place. I asked him about it, and he said she knows about the fire hazards, so there's no need to worry."Let me guess. You two had a fight, so you called in a false alarm, right? Look, Ruby. I'm not trying to lecture you, but sometimes, guys just need space."Don't be too controlling. Even if Josh did something wrong, wishing anything bad on Mrs. Scott isn't right—"I took a deep breath and interrupted his endless rant, "I don't care where Joshua is right now! I need the rest of your team here immediately to put out the fire! Margaret's life is at risk, Louis! This isn't a joke!"I'd always been nice to these people because of Joshua and had never raised my voice at them.Louis was shocked by my outburst and started to panic. "Come on, Ruby. You're just calling to find Josh, aren't you?""I don't give a damn about Joshua right now! Get over here fast, or Margaret won't make it!"I heard h

Louis and his teammates rushed to grab the high-pressure hoses, ready to fight the flames. But when they reached the base of the apartment building, they stopped dead, their faces pale with shock.They were too late.I knelt beside Margaret's body, my face heavy with grief. Her blood was all over me, but I paid it no mind. She'd jumped from the 17th floor, so there was no way her body could've stayed intact.I could see the fear in everyone's eyes, but the moment I realized the mangled mess on the ground was Margaret—always the one to greet me with a warm smile—I just couldn't find the strength to get up.Louis didn't know what to say. Margaret had always been so kind to them when she was around. At Christmas, she'd make roast turkey for them, and in the summer, she'd whip up sorbets to help them beat the heat.She always used to say that since Joshua and Bernard were firefighters, that meant all firefighters were like family to her. But it was these same "family" members who blin

I didn't reach out to Joshua for the next three days.I went to the crematorium alone. Margaret's broken body was put in the furnace, and when it was done, all that was left fit in a small box.She used to talk about seeing the ocean someday, but with a shop to run and Joshua always tied up, it just never happened.So I made a snap decision, took her urn, and spent a few days by the beach. When I got home, I saw a pair of shoes by the door that definitely weren't mine. My stomach sank, and I quickly entered the code to open the door."Oh, Rue, you're back," Sophie said.She was wearing my slippers, my apron around her waist, and my loungewear, like she belonged there."Josh ran out to grab something. He'll be back shortly. Why don't you sit on the couch for a bit?" Her eyes were dripping with mockery and fake sympathy.I carefully placed Margaret's urn down, then slapped Sophie hard across the face."You're the other woman, yet you show up here acting like you belong. Are you

"You're not going to sign it? Fine. I'll just file for divorce then," I said.I got up and grabbed my suitcase, ready to leave.Joshua stepped in front of me. "What's that supposed to mean? Why are you being so harsh? Are you really going to divorce me?"We were pulling at each other in the hallway when the elevator doors suddenly slid open. Mrs. Zeller hurried out with a bag in her hands. When she saw me, she quickly shoved it into my arms."I almost forgot about this. This is some bacon Margaret cured a while ago. She said you loved it. She kept losing track of time, so she gave it to me and asked me to hold onto it for her."I felt my eyes tearing up as I gripped the heavy bag.Joshua overheard and looked relieved. Then, he sneered. "See? I knew you were lying. My mom can still make bacon, so she's clearly fine. "Thanks, Mrs. Zeller. Once again, you've shown me how low some people will go!"Mrs. Zeller spat at him like he was something disgusting. "You heartless jerk! Don't