Ethan had barely left when Vanessa pushed open the door.
She stood over me with a cold smile, taking in my weakened body.
"I heard you're dying. That's wonderful. Once you're gone, no one will be left to compete with me for Ethan."
Her smile widened.
"I really should thank you, Ms. Dawson. You pushed Ethan away and gave me the chance to 'save' him from that fire."
I stared at her.
'So this is the rescue Vanessa has been taking credit for?'
I had transferred the pain from his life-threatening injuries into my own body. Ethan had suffered only superficial wounds and mild smoke inhalation. Almost anyone could have dragged him the rest of the way out.
Vanessa had arrived afterward, claimed the rescue as her own, and let Ethan believe she had saved his life.
Then she used that lie to s
