The explosion shattered the night, and in a heartbeat, the entire Carter estate was engulfed in a roaring inferno.
These towering flames would light Chase's escape route—and finally draw a line under the mess between me and Julian.
Standing in the heart of the blaze, I got Felix's message.
Felix: Chase's out. Where the hell are you?
I didn't answer. Just flung my phone into the fire, watching the flames greedily swallow it. For the first time, my chest felt light—almost free.
Chase was safe. If death meant peace, I'd greet it with open arms.
Then, through the wall of fire, a figure came barreling in—Julian. His voice ripped through the chaos, raw with panic. "Mia, where are you?"
I stood there, numb, as he recklessly searched the flames. Didn't even twitch.
"Julian!" Winnie stumble
