Chapter5
1273 Words
Fire that cleanses sins.
Nina wasn’t letting this go.
She searched every room, every corridor and every corner of the mansion searching for Lily. Lily had snatched the picture she found from her hands and disappeared.
“Lily!” Nina called, entering into the kitchen, the laundry room, the gardens, “We need to talk. About that picture. Who was the woman beside me?”
No answer.
The other staff members quickly looked away when she approached. Like they were instructed to pretend she didn’t exist.
She cornered Lily later that evening outside the servant’s quarters.
“Why did you take the picture?” Nina demanded. “Who was the woman beside me?”
Lily didn’t answer immediately. She held the laundry basket in her hand very tight and looked around like she was checking if someone was watching them.
“It’s non of your business,” Lily said sharply. “Forget it.” “Was she my mother?” Nina asked, heart thudding.
Lily froze for a moment, then she turned and walked away.
Nina felt as though the closer she got to the truth, the more obstacles she faces.. She leaned against the wall of the corridor, fighting the urge to scream and rip her hair off. The following day, after another draining visit at the hospital. Nina decided to stop by the coffee shop opposite the hospital. She needed a moment to run away from her reality.
“Can I join you?”
Nina glanced up in surprise. It was Rachel.
She stood there wearing designer sunglasses and a suit that seemed unfit for a casual coffee stop, Rachel slipped into the chair across from her without waiting for a response.
Nina asked her with suspicions in her voice “You followed me?”
Rachel touched Nina’s cheeks. “You’re quite an intriguing woman, Nina.” Nina’s jaw became firm. “Is there something you want?”
“Nothing actually ,” Rachel said casually, “I am just curious, You’re staying in David’s house, wearing his clothes, visiting your son like you’re someone important. But are you important ?”
Nina didn’t shake, She leaned forward.
“You followed me. That says more about your insecurity than my importance.”
Rachel chuckled. “You’re sharp. But I’ll tell you something, Nina. David doesn’t keep people around for long unless they matter to him… or threaten something.”
There it was a veiled threat in a honeyed tone.
Before Nina could respond, Rachel stood. “Enjoy your coffee. It might be your last in peace.”
Back at the mansion, the air felt heavier. Thicker.
She sneaked in through the door in the kitchen. trying to stay clear of any further chaos.
As she walked down the corridor, a crying voice caught her attention.
David.
She slowed her pace.
He was in his room, shirtless with his head hanging low. Rachel was already making her way toward him.
Nina hesitated, her heart dropping. He appeared shattered.
Before Nina could say a word, Rachael reached for his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck, she murmured something quietly in his ears.
Nina turned and walked away, Something about the scene felt off, but she couldn’t determine if it stemmed from jealousy or fear
That night, as she changed into her night gown, her phone rang.
Unknown Number.
She hesitated. Then answered.
“Nina James?” “Yes.”
“It’s the fire department. We… we’re sorry to inform you. Your old home was caught in a fire. Total loss.”
Nina felt the air rush from her lungs. “My… my house? Is anyone…?
“No one was inside,” the man added quickly. “But we found something we think was left intentionally… a letter.”
“What?”
“There’s a note. Hand-delivered before the fire started. We’re turning it over to the authorities.” Nina sat down slowly on the bed.
Later that night, a courier arrived at the mansion with a sealed evidence bag. Inside was a single envelope.
Her name was written in slanted handwriting.
She opened it.
Inside, just one line.
“Be careful. Fire cleanses all sins.”
Her hands shook. The photograph. The threats. Rachel’s sudden interest. David’s distance. Her house burning.
She was being hunted. And she didn’t even know who the hunter was anymore.
But one thing was certain — she was done being afraid.
She folded the note, placed it gently in her drawer next to the crumpled hospital bills and the photo she’d managed to sneak back from Lily’s drawer. She stared at the image with so much disappointment as the face of the woman was not clear.
A fire had taken her past. But she would not let it erase her future.
The house felt too quiet that night.
Nina sat in her room, still staring at the letter. The edges were burnt. The photo inside was old, and her parents’ faces were crossed out in red ink.
Be careful, the letter said. That was all.
She tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t rest.
Then she heard a loud crash.
She jumped up, heart racing. Another sound followed , a glass hitting the floor.
She stepped into the hallway, following the noise. It was coming from David’s room.
The door was slightly open. She pushed it gently.
David was there. slouched on the couch, his shirt wrinkled, a bottle of whiskey on the table beside him. Another one lay broken on the floor.
His eyes were red. He didn’t even notice her at first.
“I want my mum,” he mumbled. “Not that witch… she’s not my mother…”
Nina’s breath caught. She’d never heard him sound so broken.
“I want my mummy…” His voice cracked.
She slowly stepped into the room. “David?”
He looked up at her. His eyes were glazed over, but something flickered there. Recognition. Confusion.
“You are not my mummy,” he said softly. “But you remind me of her, so loving, gentle and really pretty”
He reached out to her. She hesitated.
His fingers grasped her wrist, carefully guiding her down next to him. She sat, feeling uncertain.
“You drank too much ,” she whispered.
He didn’t respond. His gaze was fixed on her face. Then her lips. Her neck.
“You have a lovely scent,” he breathed. “You always do.”
She stiffened.
His hand caressed her arm. Then her waist. He leaned closer, resting his head on her boobs like a boy who's held in pain for too long.
“I miss this,” he sighed. “I miss being held.”
Nina found herself at a loss. Part of her wanted to push him away. But a small part of her didn’t.
A part of her… felt something.
Something deeper.
He was wounded. Sorrowful. And in this moment, he wasn’t the distant man she dreaded. He was merely a man, yearning for love
But when his hand started crawling deep between her thighs,, her body tensed up.
“David…” she said softly, attempting to change position.
He didn’t care..
“Please don’t go,” he whispered. “Don’t leave me like everyone else has.”
Nina gradually stood up, releasing his grip.
“You need to rest,” she replied.
He rested his body back on his couch. , his eyes already closing.
She stayed for a moment, as stared at him.
Then she turned and walked
away, her heart was beating fast.
“Why did his touch seem familiar”, Nina wondered.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD