FROM THE ASHES OF REVENGE

The Fire

Chapter 2

She stood outside my cell, her hands clasped in front of her, a smirk playing on her lips. My blood ran cold as I stared at her, my confusion deepening.

“Surprised to see me?” She asked sweetly, though her voice was dripping with malice.

I couldn’t speak. I could barely process her presence, let alone the fact that she was smirking after the loss of her child.

“I should thank you, Alicia.” Emily continued, stepping closer to the bars of the cell gates, “You made this so much easier for me.”

My brows furrowed in confusion, “What… What are you talking about? I made what easier for you?”

Her smile widened, a sinister glint in her eyes, “Oh, that I was never pregnant, you foolish girl, you helped me lose the pregnancy that I never had.”

My heart stopped immediately, “What?”

“Oh, don’t look so shocked.” Emily chuckled, “You think I’d destroy myself for a child? No, I needed something more… dramatic. Something that would bind him to me forever.” She paused, her gaze narrowing on me, “And you, Alicia, were the perfect scapegoat.”

Her words were like a punch to the gut, “You… You set me up?”

“Of course.” She said casually as if discussing the weather, “I needed a way to ‘lose’ the baby I was never carrying, and what better way than to pin it on you? Lucien was always so soft for you, even after rejecting you. But now? Now he’ll never look at you again, he hates you.”

I felt sick. My entire world was crumbling around me, and she was standing there, smiling like she hadn’t just destroyed my life.

“And the best part?” Emily leaned closer, her voice lowering to a whisper, “You are pregnant, Alicia. Pregnant for Lucien, although it's a wonder that you haven't lost that pregnancy after everything that has happened to you these past few days which shows that this baby is very strong. But I can't let the runt live, it'll destroy my plans.”

My breath hitched in my throat, “W… What?”

“I couldn’t let your little secret stay hidden, now could I? A child from Lucien’s rejected omega?” She shook her head, “No, that would ruin everything.”

I stumbled back, my hand instinctively going to my stomach. Pregnant? How could she possibly know? I hadn’t even known that I was pregnant, I hadn't felt anything!

“But don’t worry.” Emily’s smile turned cold, “You won’t live long enough to worry about that.”

Tears streamed down my face as I realized what I was going to lose. She had orchestrated everything, I wasn’t just losing my life; I was losing my child, Lucien’s child, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Emily straightened, brushing imaginary dust from her dress, “Enjoy your last night, Alicia, you're going to miss it.” She smirked and bent forward, and I finally saw what she brought in with her.

Diesel. It smelled like Diesel. I shifted back instantly, “W… What are you doing? What the heck are you trying to do, Emily? Why are you doing this to me?!”

“Oh, darling…” Emily said, her tone sweet but laced with venom, “This isn’t about what you did to me or what I'm doing to you. This is about securing my place. You see, Lucien needs someone like me, someone who knows how to play the game. You? You’re just in the way.”

I watched in horror as the diesel splashed around me, soaking the floor, the walls, everywhere. She was setting the stage for my death, one that would be far more painful than a beheading. And then she did something even more twisted. She pulled out a rope and began tying herself up.

“Lucien should have killed you the moment he found out that you were responsible for my miscarriage, but he didn't do that proving he still remembers you. That will never happen, you have to die most painfully so that everyone can forget you!”

Emily smiled that wicked smile again, securing the ropes loosely around her wrists. She then sat on the cold stone floor, positioning herself like a helpless damsel, her expression serene, “You’ll see. We’ll see who Lucien will choose to save when the flames are burning.”

She pulled out a match, the small flame flickered to life, and with a cruel smile, she tossed it onto the diesel-soaked floor. The fire ignited instantly, the flames roaring to life, rapidly engulfing the cell.

“No!” I screamed, pressing myself against the wall as the fire quickly spread. My vision blurred with tears, the heat growing unbearable.

“Goodbye, Alicia,” Emily called out as she sat back down in her fake hostage position, waiting. The flames were suffocating, the heat burning against my skin as they closed in. I screamed for Lucien, for anyone to save me, begging for a chance. I didn't want to die. I didn't want to die.

And then, through the haze of fire and smoke, I heard footsteps. Lucien! He was coming, he was here! My heart leaped with hope, thinking he had come to save me.

But as the door to the dungeon burst open, I saw him rushing inside, his eyes wild with panic. He didn’t even look in my direction, instead, he sprinted straight to Emily, as if he didn't see me.

“Emily!” He shouted, pulling her into his arms and cutting her fake restraints, “I’ve got you, you’re safe, I won't let anything happen to you.”

“No… No…” I gasped, reaching out through the fire, the pain unbearable, “Lucien… please, I’m here. Lucien!”

But he didn’t hear me. Or worse, he didn’t care. No, I had to try again, he had to save me, I didn't want to die for nothing, Emily was the bad guy here! But what? How could I pull him back? How?!

“W… Wait, Lucien, please… I… I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant with your child.” I said desperately, holding the hot bars of the cell, my lips shook into a clumsy smile, “Did you hear? I'm pregnant, your pup is in my belly, you wouldn't want me and our child to die, would you? Huh? I'll tell you the truth, Emily isn't pregnant, she… She was doing this to lure you so you would make her Luna, she was lying all along! You believe me, don't you?”

Lucien stopped, looking at me with shock in his eyes. I sighed in relief, he was going to help me. Lucien believed me, he was going to help me. But I was wrong, his shocked look turned into anger, and then disgust.

“I knew you were a liar but I never knew you would stoop this low. You deserve to die here, Alicia.” He spat out venomously, carrying Emily out, cradling her in his arms like a hero rescuing a princess. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving me alone, surrounded by flames. My body was on fire, the heat consuming me.

“Please…” I whispered, my voice a broken sob as the flames devoured me, “Please… give me another chance. I’ll make them pay. I’ll make her pay, I'll make her regret doing this to me so please, please give me a second chance. Please… Urk!” I gasped in pain when my skin began to burn, the smell of cooking flesh filtered into my nose. And gradually, I began to lose the feeling of my body, even though pain engulfed me.

Darkness closed in and I thought it was the end, but then, everything went silent and the pain stopped. It felt like I was in water, drowning, and struggling to stay afloat. And then, I was suddenly pushed to the surface and I opened my eyes, gasping for air.