"Y… you… are so evil…" Rose sobbed, her voice breaking as the truth sank in. She had never imagined she would hear such confessions from them.
Suddenly, she noticed Tiffany pouring petrol across the floor, the liquid spreading quickly. Even the bed they were lying on was soaked.
"Today, you'll burn to death with your son… and this house" Meghan said with a chuckle.
"Don't worry," she added with a smile. "I'll make sure the death is slow… and less painful"
With that, she turned and walked out with her mother. The door shut behind them.
Minutes passed.
Then Rose saw it, thin lines of smoke slipping through the edges of the door.
The fire was coming.
Her heart pounded as she pulled Noah closer, wrapping him tightly in her arms. Soon, flames began to creep into the room, spreading across the walls before reaching the bed.
Tears streamed down her face as she held him, shielding him as much as she could, trying to keep him from seeing the fire… from feeling the heat.
Maybe this was for the best.
Maybe it was better to be free from this cruel world.
But… if she had one more chance, just one, to change everything… she would.
The flames rose higher, swallowing the room, then their bodies.
And soon, only their screams remained.
*****
Everything blurred at once...
Rose gasped sharply, her eyes flying open as she struggled to breathe. Her body tensed as if she could still feel the fire burning her skin.
What… just happened?
She quickly touched herself, her hands moving frantically, expecting pain, but there was none.
Instead, her fingers brushed against soft fabric. Confused, she lifted her hand and saw a white lace sleeve.
Her heart skipped.
Slowly, she looked down. She was wearing a long wedding gown.
Her breath caught as she raised her head, scanning her surroundings. Familiar faces filled the room, her father, her stepmother, her stepsister… Ethan's parents.
And right beside her… Ethan wearing a suit. Her eyes widened, she remembered this. This was her court wedding.
But how…? She clearly remembered the fire… Noah beside her…
Had she… returned to the past?
Rose's chest tightened as panic rose within her, her breathing becoming uneven.
"Rose, what's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly sweating?" her father, Mark Preston, asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Dad…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
She hadn't seen him in years. Only now did she realize how much she had missed him… and she didn't even know what had happened to him.
"Rose, what's wrong? Why aren't you signing?" Ethan's voice came from beside her.
"Huh?"
Rose looked down. The court registrar sat in front of her, staring in confusion. A wedding certificate and pen lay on the desk.
Ethan had already signed.
She was next. Her fingers tightened slightly.
No…
No.
If this was real… if she had truly returned to the past…
Then this was her chance. Her chance to change everything.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked at her stepmother and stepsister. The hatred in their eyes was so obvious just like always.
Without hesitation, Rose grabbed the hem of her gown and ran.
She dashed out of the court like a flash, ignoring the shocked voices calling her name as footsteps rushed behind her.
Bursting outside, she stopped briefly, her eyes scanning her surroundings. Then she saw him.
A tall, well-built, handsome man in a suit, walking straight in her direction.
An idea formed instantly.
Without thinking twice, Rose ran toward him.
Before he could react, she grabbed him and pressed her lips against his.
"Please… save me"
Those were the last words she managed to say before the kiss deepened.