Chapter 4

Zoey's POV

I was locked in the basement for what felt like forever.

Days passed in silence, broken only when a maid lifted the trapdoor to quietly toss down two bottles of water and a few pieces of bread.

No matter how hard I screamed for help, all I heard was my own voice echoing back at me.

Eventually, the water and bread ran out. As more time passed, I grew so weak that I couldn't even stand anymore.

Then, finally, I heard footsteps overhead.

A maid said with a trembling voice, "Ms. Gould, are we really going to do this while Mr. Gould is away on business? He only told us to teach Mrs. Gould a lesson. We were supposed to let her out two days ago. If he finds out what we've done, we're—"

Lyra slapped the maid across the face. "Mrs. Gould? How dare you call that bitch Mrs. Gould! From now on, I'm the lady of this house!

"If you're scared, then learn to keep your mouth shut. Pour more gasoline. Make sure the fire burns hot. Once Zoey Hawkins is reduced to ashes, there's nothing Justin can do, even if he finds out. He and Tommy will be mine."

"But... But..." the maid stuttered.

Lyra kicked her. The maid had no choice but to start pouring gasoline.

My blood ran cold. I stumbled to my feet, bracing myself against the wall.

My ears rang, but I could still hear liquid splashing above. The maid even poured gasoline through the gap in the trapdoor.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Lyra! Stop! This is murder! Help! They're trying to burn me alive!"

Lyra stomped on the floor above and let out a cold laugh.

"Zoey, save your breath. You can't open this door from the inside. You have only yourself to blame. If you'd left, I would've let you live. But you just had to take Justin and Tommy away from me. You really think you can go against me? Go to hell!"

I heard the click of a lighter, then the crackle of flames.

Not long after, Lyra's voice rang out from somewhere above. "Help! Fire! Somebody put out the fire!"

The flames spread rapidly, and thick smoke poured into the basement.

I didn't want to be burned to death. So, I threw all my strength against the door, pushing, ramming, and pounding it until my hands split and bled.

But the door wouldn't budge.

I could barely breathe, let alone call for help. My strength gave out, and I slumped back against the wall. My consciousness began to fade, and memories from my life flashed through my mind.

Just when I'd lost all hope, I heard a familiar rustling sound overhead. Someone outside struggled to lift the trapdoor, opening a narrow gap.

Tommy's soot-covered face appeared through the opening. He reached his small hand toward me and cried, "Mom, hurry! Let's go. I'll get you out."

…

Third-Person POV

Meanwhile, at the Gould Group's branch office, the assistant burst through the door without even knocking, panic written all over his face.

"Mr. Gould, your house is on fire! The fire is out of control! Mrs. Gould… Mrs. Gould didn't get out! Tommy is trapped inside with her!"