Chapter 1

My body lay in the corner, burned beyond recognition by the raging fire, my stomach gnawing with hunger.

On the third day after I was locked inside the house, Rosalie Lockwood cut off all my food.

It all started because I forgot to feed Caleb Stratford's dog, and he ate something he shouldn't have, getting poisoned. Rosalie believed I killed Caleb's dog on purpose out of jealousy.

There were tears in Caleb's eyes as he lashed out at me. "Why would you hurt Bentley? If you don't like me, I'll just leave."

Before I could explain, Rosalie frowned, staring at me with her lips pressed tight. "Damian Whitmore, you're truly vicious."

She barked, "Apologize!"

I shook my head. "Rosalie, I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?"

While taking care of Bentley for Caleb, he bit me three times, and I had to get three rabies shots.

Last night, after getting the shots and taking medicine, I grew drowsy and forgot to feed Bentley. I never thought he would eat something strange and end up poisoned.

Rosalie said, "You even pick on Caleb's dog—you're truly pathetic! Caleb's birthday is in a few days. Since you get jealous so easily, stay here. The last thing anyone needs is for you to show up and ruin his party."

A sharp thud rang out as Caleb raised his hand and punched my face.

I was about to retaliate when Rosalie suddenly grabbed my wrist. "Since you refuse to repent, stay here until you're ready to admit your mistake."

She locked me inside a villa in the suburbs.

The fire broke out without warning. All the windows were sealed shut, and since I hadn't eaten for three days, I had no strength to run far.

I grabbed my phone and called Rosalie. "Rosalie, where's the key?"

Rosalie was in the middle of hosting Caleb's birthday party. She replied indifferently, "It's only been a few days, and you already can't handle it. Did you stop to think about how much Bentley suffered while you were hurting him?

"It's Caleb's birthday today. Don't even think about ruining it. Once it's over and he's had a good time, I'll let you out."

"Rosalie, the house is on fire! Please tell me where the key is!" I screamed hysterically.

She sneered. "What trick are you trying to pull now? Wasn't killing Caleb's dog enough? Do you want to ruin his birthday too?"

A man's voice cut through the noise. "Rosalie, come cut the cake."

Voices wishing Caleb a happy birthday echoed through the phone as I remained trapped in the fire, waiting to die.

"Rosalie, let Damian join us," Caleb said.

"No," Rosalie replied. "He'll definitely cause trouble if he comes. He's the jealous type. If he shows up, he'll start acting jealous again for no reason. Let him stay locked up and starve for a few days. Only then will he learn his lesson."

I choked on the smoke and let out broken whimpers for help. After Rosalie hung up, I tried calling the fire department, only to find both the phone signal and the water cut off.

Leaning against the corner, I clawed at the window repeatedly, trying to open the sealed frame. Even after my hands were raw and bleeding, the window wouldn't budge. I could only lie there in agony as the flames consumed me.