Chapter 5

The door opened, and Hailey walked in carrying a bowl of soup.

"Chloe, eat something," she said, sitting on the edge of the mattress, stirring the soup. "I begged Christian to forgive you. This matter is over. Tonight is the Pierce Family Gala, and you are coming with us."

She leaned in close, whispering, "Don't ruin this for yourself. If you don’t show up, Christian will only be more convinced you’re guilty."

She paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "Or are you just afraid to see us announce our engagement?"

I looked at her. Her face was soft and gentle, but her eyes were venomous.

I had to go. My flight was tomorrow morning. If I could just survive tonight, I would be free forever.

The gala was dazzling, the chandelier lights making my head spin. Hailey clung to Christian’s arm, greeting guests and basking in their congratulations.

"Is that Chloe Miller? How did she end up looking like a ghost?"

"I heard she had some... inappropriate thoughts and was sent away by Mr. Pierce for three years."

"My, look how generous Hailey is, still bringing her out."

While Christian was surrounded by investors, Hailey walked over to me.

"Chloe," she said, her voice loud enough for the nearby guests to hear. "Christian asked me to return this to you."

It was the heirloom emerald brooch—the piece traditionally passed down to the matriarch of the Pierce family.

When I was a little girl, I had begged Christian for it. Unable to say no to me, he had given it to me, saying I could keep it safe for him.

Christian looked over from across the room, his eyes dark and unreadable.

I walked straight to him and handed the box back. "Here. I wish you and Hailey a lifetime of happiness."

Christian snatched the box, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something, but a sudden scream cut him off.

Fire!

The curtains in the corner had caught fire, and the flames were spreading rapidly. The panicked crowd surged forward, shoving me aside. Through the smoke, I saw a little boy huddled in the corner, crying in terror.

Without thinking, I ran toward him.

"Chloe!"

Someone grabbed my arm—it was Christian. With his other arm, he scooped up the child and dragged me toward the exit.

A piece of the burning ceiling collapsed, grazing his arm. He groaned in pain but didn't let go of me.

We finally burst out into the freezing night air. I collapsed onto the grass, coughing violently, feeling as though my lungs were turning to ash.

Christian set the child down and immediately reached for me to check for injuries. His sleeve was scorched, and blood was dripping from his arm.

"Are you—" he began.

"Christian!" Hailey threw herself into his arms, sobbing hysterically. "Are you alright? You scared me to death!"

Suddenly, she pointed a shaking finger at me. "It was her! I saw her! She started the fire! She wanted to burn us all to death!"

Everyone turned to stare at me. Christian froze.

Hailey wailed, "She just returned that brooch to you as a farewell! She knew she couldn’t have you, so she wanted to destroy you!"

I shook my head, trying to speak, but my throat was so scorched by the smoke that no sound came out.

Christian looked down at my hands. Clutching in my trembling palm was a lighter—the one Hailey had shoved into my hand during the chaos.

"Chloe Miller," his voice was barely a whisper, filled with crushing disappointment and disgust. "You really are... utterly hopeless."

Hailey clung to him, weeping. "Christian, she almost ruined our engagement... I’m so scared..."

Christian wrapped his arms tightly around her. When he looked back at me, the last shred of warmth in his eyes had vanished.

He turned to his security guards, his voice flat. "Take her away. Hand her over to Hailey to deal with."

Hailey buried her face in his chest, but as she did, she cast a glance back at me, a vicious, triumphant smile flashing across her face.

The guards grabbed me. I didn’t struggle. I knew then that I wouldn't be boarding my flight tomorrow.

I watched Christian’s retreating back and remembered a night from my childhood when he had sat me on his shoulders to watch the New Year’s fireworks.

When the loud bangs started, he had covered my ears and whispered, *My little girl will never have to face danger as long as I’m alive.*

But now, he had personally thrown me into the abyss.

Hailey walked over, kneeling in front of me. "Tonight, Chloe, we’re going to have some real fun."