Chapter 3
“What are you burning?” Noel stood in the doorway, eyes like ice.[]
Vivienne didn’t look up, calmly tossing another photo into the flames. “None of your business.“[]
Noel clicked closer in her heels, looming over her. “Excuse me? You think you’re still daddy’s little princess or something?“]
The firelight danced across Noel’s perfect makeup, twisting her features into something vicious. “Reality check, Vivienne–you’re nothing now. Just everyone’s favorite punching bag.”
Without warning, Noel’s foot shot out, sending the fire basin flying.
CLANG!
Burning papers scattered everywhere. Sparks hit the old curtains piled nearby and flames shot up instantly.[]
“What the hell-” Vivienne dove for the spreading fire, but Noel slammed her back.[]
The flames spread fast. Smoke filled the room in seconds.[]
“FIRE! SOMEBODY HELP!” []
Screams erupted from downstairs, but it was way too late.[]
Heat slammed into Vivienne’s face. She choked on the thick smoke, vision blurring.]
She tried to stumble toward the door, but Noel grabbed her wrist. “Going somewhere?“]
“Let go…” Vivienne struggled weakly. “We’ll die…“[]
Noel’s smile was sickeningly sweet. “Then let’s die together.“]
The door exploded open.]
Dominic and Cameron burst in, raw terror on their faces–until they spotted Noel and visibly relaxed.[]
“What happened?” Cameron pulled Noel into his arms, voice sharp with concern. “How’d this start?“]
Noel’s eyes immediately filled with tears, pointing accusingly at Vivienne. “She lost it completely! Started burning all of Leona’s things. When I tried to stop her, she set the whole room on fire!“]
“I didn’t…” Vivienne shook her head weakly, but smoke cut off her words.[]
Dominic’s expression went arctic. He stormed over and grabbed her wrist. “Un–fucking–believable. Three years of this shit and you haven’t learned a damn thing.“]
Vivienne opened her mouth but no sound came out.[]
Her vision was fading. The last thing she heard was Cameron’s cold voice:[]
“Lock her in the oven. Let her think about what she’s done.“]]
1.6%
Thus All Toad for Her? With Terminal Cancer I’m Done Playine their Games
Chapter 3
Security dragged her to the kitchen and shoved her into the preheated industrial oven.[]
The door swung open and hellish heat slammed into her. They forced her inside onto the burning metal, her skin sizzling on contact.[]
“AAAHHHHH!“]
Her screams echoed through the kitchen as her flesh burned like she was being stabbed by a thousand red–hot needles. Sweat evaporated the second it formed.]
She pounded frantically on the door, but no one cared.[]
As consciousness slipped away, memories flashed through her mind.[]
Little Dominic holding her hand, promising he’d always protect her.[]
Cameron running through the rain with her burning up with fever.[]
Jer parents singing happy birthday with huge smiles…]
Those moments were real. She’d been loved once, genuinely loved.[]
When did it all turn to hate?]
The pain was beyond description, but she couldn’t even scream anymore.[]
Finally, the door opened.[]
Noel stood there with that sweet smile. “Cool her off.“]
A bucket of ice water crashed down on her.[]
‘AHHH!”
ට
The shock from burning to freezing sent her body into convulsions. She curled up on the floor like a dying fish and blacked out
completely.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.