My Family Died in His Fire, This Time I Light It First

I could still feel it. The suffocation. The burning smoke choking my lungs.

My eyes flew open. I gasped for air.

No towering flames. No bloodcurdling screams.

Just the blinding sun of our Greenwich estate.

A "Happy 5th Birthday, Lily" banner swayed in the wind on the lawn.

Our four kids were running around in a bouncy castle, all dressed up in their party clothes.

I was alive. I was actually alive again.

"Ava, honey."

That voice. My stomach twisted into a knot.

I turned. My husband, Caleb, was standing by the dessert table.

He wore his custom suit, tears pooling in his pathetic eyes.

He rushed over and grabbed my hand, his voice low and pleading. "Ava, please. Give me another chance. I was an idiot. It was a mistake. I know now I can't lose you. I can't lose this family. Please, forgive me."

Last time, I fell for it. I saw this cheating bastard, and my heart softened.

We had four beautiful children. All I wanted was for them to have a complete family.

And in return for my forgiveness? He burned us all alive. Took everyone down with him.

I can't make the same mistake.

This time, I'm divorcing him. Immediately. I'm getting my family away from this psycho. And then I'm going to send him straight to hell myself.

I shoved down the hate rising in my throat. I pulled my hand back. "I need to use the restroom," I said. "We'll talk later."

Before he could argue, I turned and slipped through the crowd. I hurried down to the basement utility room.

I grabbed a steel wrench. Aimed for the main gas valve. And brought it down. Hard.

CRACK.

The sound of breaking metal. The sharp smell of gas filled the air instantly.

I smashed the fire alarm on the wall. A piercing siren sliced through the happy sounds from the lawn.

I ran back upstairs. Chaos. People were scrambling.

"Gas leak! Everybody out!" I yelled, directing the security guards.

Caleb ran over, playing the part of the panicked father.

I pushed past him. I grabbed my mother’s wrist, my voice loud and clear. I made sure Caleb heard every single word.

"Mom, the house isn't safe! The repairs will take days. I've booked a private jet. We're heading to our chalet in Aspen until it's fixed! We leave now!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. The slightest twitch of a smile on Caleb's lips.

Aspen. Deep in the mountains. Snowed in.

The perfect bait. It would distract him from my real plan.

It would buy me time. Time to keep my family safe.

I turned away and tapped my smartwatch. Marcus, my head of security, stepped forward.

"Take my parents and the kids to the Tribeca penthouse," I whispered. "Kill the trackers. Send the jet to Aspen empty."

Marcus’s eyes hardened. "Understood."

My armored Maybach pulled out of the driveway.

Caleb pulled open the passenger door to get in. I slammed it shut and blocked his way.

"You're not coming," I said. My voice was ice.

The perfect mask on his face cracked. "Honey, are you still mad? I'm your husband! I have to protect you!"

I let out a cold laugh.

I pulled a manila envelope from my bag and slapped it against his chest.

"Divorce papers. Sign them."

The color drained from Caleb's face. He stared at me in disbelief. "You set me up?!"

"You disgust me," I said, looking right at him. "And just so you know, as of this second, I’ve frozen everything. The joint credit cards. The family trust accounts. Everything is cut off."

He went pale. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Ava! Are you insane?!" The mask was completely gone now.

He lunged for me, his face twisted with fury. "I've already been fired! You're divorcing me and cutting me off? Are you trying to kill me?!"

I took a step back.

Two armed bodyguards instantly moved between us, blocking him.

I put on my sunglasses, hiding my eyes.

Then I opened the car door.

"What happens to you," I said, "is not my problem."

The stage is yours now, Caleb. Go on. Play the part of the loser with nothing.