Chapter 1: The Night I burned

Sheila’s POV

I woke up to the smell of smoke in the air, coughing. The air was thick and suffocating. My lungs screamed for relief, but I could only wheeze.

“What... what’s happening?” I jolted, sitting up.

Smoke curled through the room, thick and black, swallowing every shadow. The heat was unbearable.My nightgown stuck to my skin, which was already sweaty. I got out of bed and staggered to the window, my heart racing.

“Help!” I screamed, throwing it open, gasping for air. “Someone help me!”

The night was so quiet. No neighbors. No sirens. Just flames cracking behind me burning fast towards me like it wants to consume me.

That’s when I saw him.

Standing by the edge of the driveway, lit by the glow of the burning house, was Adrian,my husband. My “dead” husband.

His arms were crossed, his face calm. No panic, no urgency. Just a slow, smug smile as he leaned against his sleek black car.

I froze.

He lifted his hand… and waved.

Then he got in the car. And drove away.

“No,” I whispered. “No, no, no, no…”

There and then, everything clicked at once, like a slap to my soul.

Earlier today.

The bank. Him. Alive.

“You’re evicting me?” I blinked at the bank manager.

I was forced to go to the bank today after getting an eviction notice from them, trying to see if I could get an extension just like the last time.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. The mortgage hasn’t been paid in over six months. The house is no longer under your name.”

“Could you give me a few weeks? I promise, I’ll come up with the mortgage plus interest, even.” I pleaded, my eyes filled with tears.

“My hands are tied, there’s nothing more we can do for you.” He replied.

“But, but I just…”

“We already sent the notice. You need to vacate by the end of the week.”

I walked out of the bank, dazed, clutching the thin stack of rejection papers like they could hold me together. My stomach twisted. My head pounded. How could I owe so much? Where had the money gone? What should I do?

I didn't even know I had walked out of the bank and into the street until I heard tires screeching.

I turned, in shock and then I saw him.

Crossing the street, alive and well, in a tailored gray suit with sunglasses on his smug, familiar face, Adrian.

The man who was supposed to be dead.

I dropped my bag.

“Adrian?” I called.

He turned, froze… then smirked.

“You… you’re alive?” I gasped, storming toward him. “You faked your death?!”

He sighed like I was a pest.

“I don’t have time for this,” he said flatly, trying to walk past.

I blocked him. “You left me buried in debt! You let me think you died in that accident!”

He grabbed my arm. “Watch your mouth.” he said, gritting his teeth.

“I worked four jobs to cover for you!” I shouted. “I sold my family home! I donated a kidney for you, Adrian! And you.. you just vanished?” I stammered.

He looked bored. “You were useful. Now you’re not.”

“Useful?” My voice cracked. “I was your wife!”

He chuckled. “You were a placeholder. You should be grateful I kept you around as long as I did.”

I stared at him, in disbelief. “You’re a monster.”

“Call me what you want,” he sneered. “But don’t think you can run your mouth and get away with it.”

I shook with rage. “I’ll expose you. I swear, I will…”

He slapped me. Hard.

I stumbled, the taste of blood sharp in my mouth.

“Expose me?” he whispered, stepping closer. “You won’t get the chance. I should’ve silenced you long ago. Consider this your final warning.”

I laughed bitterly, tears in my eyes. “You won’t get away with this.”

He leaned in, cold and cruel. “Oh, sweetheart… I already have.”

---

Now I understood what he meant.

I ran for the door, but the hallway was an inferno. Flames licked the walls, swallowing the curtains, dancing over the pictures, our wedding photo turning into black ash.

I screamed and turned back, coughing, crawling toward the bathroom, but smoke had filled it too.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Help!” I choked. “Please!”

No answer. Just fire, roaring like a beast set loose.

This was no accident.

He meant every word.

He set this fire. He really meant to kill me.

I staggered to the window again, but the flames were too close now. My lungs were failing. My vision blurred.

This was it.

I dropped to my knees.

He betrayed me.

He used me.

I gave him everything. My money. My time. My body. My kidney.

And he left me to die.

I lay down on the floor as the ceiling groaned, ready to collapse.

I don’t want to die. Not like this. Not for him.

I clenched my hands together, trembling.

“If there’s anyone out there, anything. I don’t care if it’s God or the devil…” I whispered, “Give me another chance. Just one more. Let me come back. Let me make him pay.”

A sudden roar cracked through the house.

Then a blinding explosion of orange, red and white…

And darkness.

Until…

I gasped

My lungs drew breath like it hadn’t in days. Cold, sharp, sterile air.

I bolted upright, drenched in sweat. My heart was thundering against my ribs. My fingers clawed at the sheets beneath me, clean sheets. Smooth. Not ash. Not blood. Not flames.

I looked around, my eyes widened.

White walls. Dim light. A faint beeping sound.

A hospital? What...?

I touched my face. My chest. My legs. I was alive. No burns. No fire.

Just... me.

I blinked hard. Once. Twice. My breath caught in my throat.

Was it a dream?

I reached for my arm. The one that had blistered in the fire… it was smooth.

Then I looked toward the window.

A city skyline blinked back at me, shining lights stretching across the night. Like nothing had happened.

“What... the hell?”