Chapter 286

Vivian hauled Nathan's unconscious body through the roaring flames, barely making it out alive.

She collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. The cool breeze against her skin felt like a miracle.

Life had never felt so precious.

Sirens wailed in the distance as fire trucks screeched to a halt. Paramedics rushed toward them with a stretcher.

"I'm fine," Vivian rasped, pushing herself up. "Help him first. His leg—it's broken. He needs surgery now!"

Her voice cracked. "He got hurt saving me. You have to fix him. Please."

She'd checked his injuries. The right calf bone was visibly dislocated. If he never walked again...

The medic nodded firmly. "We'll do everything we can."

They loaded Nathan onto the ambulance. Vivian turned back toward the smoldering ruins of her home—and froze.

Something important was still inside.

She lunged toward the flames.

"Ma'am, stop!" A firefighter grabbed her arm. "It's suicide to go back in there!"

"My things!" Vivian fought against his grip, wild-eyed. "I have to get them!"

"Nothing's worth your life—"

"Let me go!"

Tires screeched. A black sports car skidded to a stop.

Ethan Blackwood stepped out, his icy glare cutting through the chaos.

"Enough."

That single word silenced everything.

The moment Vivian saw him, the dam broke. Tears streamed down her soot-streaked face.

"They won't let me go back in!" She slammed her fists against his chest. "My parents' things are still there!"

Ethan caught her wrists, pulling her against him. His voice dropped to a murmur. "Tell me where. I'll get them."

Vivian went still. "My bedroom. Second floor. Dad's painting and Mom's map..."

Ethan handed her off to a paramedic. Then he grabbed a wet towel and fire extinguisher.

And ran straight into hell.

"Mr. Blackwood!" Firefighters shouted after him. "The structure's unstable!"

Vivian's blood turned to ice. "Ethan, no! Forget the things—just come back!"

But he was already gone, swallowed by smoke and flames.