Chapter 76 Help!
The words fell like a death sentence. Immediately, one of the men pulled out a lighter.
The small metallic flick sounded harmless on its own but in that moment, it was the loudest, most terrifying sound Rebecca had ever heard.
Her heart stopped.
“No!” she screamed, her voice raw with terror. “Derek—!”
She didn’t even realize she had said his name aloud.
The flame sprang to life. Just a small flame. Blue and yellow. Innocent-looking but what it was about to do wasn't innocent the least bit.
Then the man dropped it and the fire caught instantly.
Whoosh.
Flames raced across the petrol-soaked floor with terrifying speed, spreading in every direction, licking up the walls, climbing the crates, roaring to life like something that had been waiting to be unleashed.
Heat slammed into Rebecca’s body.
She screamed. The realization brought a sudden rush of emotions so strong it made her chest ache. Hope, fear, love, regret, all of it crashed into her at once.
Her heart squeezed painfully as she thought of Derek.
His face flashed in her mind, clear and vivid despite the pain. His worried eyes. The way his jaw tightened when he was angry. The way his voice softened only for her, even when he tried to hide it. The way he had looked at her that last day, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how and everything that led her here.
A sob tore from her chest. Why didn’t I tell you? She thought desperately. Why didn’t I just say it?
Her hand trembled as it rested weakly over her stomach. Another dull ache rolled through her, but she welcomed it because somehow, in the chaos and in that moment, it reminded her that her baby was still there.
Our baby.
Tears poured down her temples and soaked into the floor beneath her head.
I should have told you you were the father, Derek. I should have trusted you enough. I should have stopped being afraid.
Fear. That was what had ruined everything.
She had been so scared of ruining what they had, scared of the timing, scared of the mess surrounding them, scared that loving him fully would mean losing control. Scared that he might betray her just like Liam. She had always held parts of herself back, always careful, always guarded especially after everything Liam did.
And now, here she was, bound, bleeding, staring death in the face.
If I make it out of here… she thought, her chest tightening, if I survive this…
The fire crackled loudly, filling the warehouse with violent light and sound. Thick smoke began to rise, dark and choking, curling toward the ceiling and rolling back down.
The air grew hot, unbearably hot, pressing against her skin, stealing her breath.
“Help!” Rebecca cried desperately, coughing hard. “Please! Somebody help me!”
Her eyes burned. Her throat felt like it was on fire. Tears streamed uncontrollably as the flames drew closer, their glow reflecting in her wide, terrified blue eyes.
The fire crept nearer, snapping and hissing as it consumed everything in its path. Wooden beams groaned. Fabric caught instantly, flames shooting upward, lighting the warehouse in a furious orange glow.
Vanessa finally turned. For a split second she looked at Rebecca. The sight before her made something twist painfully in her chest.
Rebecca was crying, broken, terrified, her body curled around her stomach, shielding her unborn child with the last strength she had.
A flicker of doubt crossed Vanessa’s face again. But then the flames roared louder reminding her that the deed had been done and there was no going back now.
Vanessa’s expression hardened. She turned away sharply. “Let’s go,” she snapped. “Now.”
The men didn’t hesitate. They backed toward the exit quickly as the fire spread out of control. Smoke filled the air, thick and suffocating, reducing visibility with every passing second.
Rebecca coughed violently, her vision blurring as tears and smoke mixed together. Her lungs burned as she struggled for air.
The heat grew stronger. The flames were close now and as the fire consumed the warehouse, Rebecca lay trapped inside, surrounded by smoke, heat, and fear, holding on to the last fragile thread of hope that help would arrive before the flames reached her.
Her heart twisted painfully. But what if he doesn’t get here in time?
The thought hit her like a blow. What if he’s too late?
Maybe this is it, a voice whispered inside her. Maybe this is how it ends. Her eyes burned as fresh tears spilled over.
Derek, please hurry, she begged silently. Please don’t let it be too late.
Yet even as despair threatened to swallow her, another thought followed closely behind.
“But if you do find me… if you get here…”
Her heart fluttered weakly. “I promise I’ll live differently.”
She imagined standing in front of him, alive, scarred but breathing, telling him the truth without fear. She imagined loving him without rules, without walls, without silence. She imagined giving their child a life full of warmth, honesty, and love.
“I won’t hide anymore,” she thought firmly. “I won’t be afraid to love you.”
Her grip tightened over her stomach as another wave of pain rolled through her. She winced, biting back a cry.
Hold on, she told her baby desperately. Please, hold on just a little longer.
She could almost feel the baby, small and fragile, depending entirely on her. The thought gave her strength and broke her heart at the same time.
I’m so sorry, she thought, tears slipping into her hair. I wanted so much more for you.
Rebecca closed her eyes briefly. Derek’s face appeared again and she thought of the strange man they'd caught and the fact that Derek might be closer than she thought.
The hope hurt but the fear that it might be too late hurt more.
But even now, standing on the edge of everything ending, Rebecca held on to both because hope, no matter how fragile, was the only thing keeping her alive.