He Saved Her Child And Left Me In The Fire

Chapter 4

The next morning, a courier delivered an envelope from Sophie.

Inside were the divorce papers. Adrian had signed them.

I had no idea how Sophie had managed it, but she had.

I gave a faint smile and scheduled an abortion for the next day.

I'd just put the papers away when Adrian came home with rice pudding from the place I'd been craving.

"Baby, the company's anniversary gala is tonight. Come with me."

"Okay."

I was leaving tomorrow. There was no point in making trouble now.

He visibly relaxed and went to pick out jewelry for me. Even his footsteps seemed lighter.

I couldn't sort out my feelings.

*****

The car stopped outside the hotel, and I walked into the gala on Adrian's arm.

Mercer Group was one of the biggest companies in Bellford, the capital. Anyone who mattered seemed to be there.

I spotted Sophie as soon as we entered the ballroom. She wore a white evening gown and had Lucy by the hand. When she saw me, she smiled. She couldn't have looked more smug.

I ignored her and turned to find a quiet corner. Instead, I found a familiar face beside the champagne tower.

Owen Reed.

We'd grown up together, but he'd cut off contact after I married Adrian. From what I'd heard, he'd been living abroad ever since.

He barely said a word, just raised his glass to me.

I was about to return the gesture when a hand closed around my wrist.

Adrian pulled me behind him before I even realized he was there. He glared at Owen as if daring him to come any closer.

Owen held his gaze, smiled, and walked away without another word.

Around us, people began to murmur.

"Look at him. Still that protective after 7 years."

"Adrian Mercer? His wife is his whole world. Everyone knows that."

I lowered my eyes, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

To everyone there, I was the woman Adrian adored.

They had no idea he had another family.

I shifted a little, putting space between us. Adrian noticed. "What's wrong? Your ankle?"

I shook my head and moved away from his hand.

Halfway through the gala, an explosion shook the ballroom.

The equipment room along one wall burst into flames. Smoke poured out. People screamed and surged toward the exits.

I grabbed a table to steady myself and tried to run, but the moment I put weight on my ankle, pain stopped me in my tracks.

The fire was spreading.

A short distance away, Sophie sat on the floor with Lucy clutched in her arms.

"Daddy!" Lucy screamed. "Daddy, help!"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

He scooped up Lucy, draped his jacket over her head, and hurried Sophie toward the emergency exit. He never looked back.

"Adrian!"

I screamed his name, but he couldn't hear me over the crowd.

As he disappeared into the smoke and the crowd, I remembered what he'd promised at our wedding.

"I'll always protect you, Nora. For the rest of my life."

He'd lied.

Tears spilled down my face.

Then something cracked overhead.

A burning beam broke loose, showering sparks as it fell toward my head.

"Nora Ellis!"