Chapter 222

Sophia Whitmore shook violently as she coughed, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Her voice came out in ragged gasps between coughs.

"Nathan...there's something I need to tell you..."

Julian Hartwell tightened his arms around her trembling form. "Don't speak," he murmured, pressing her closer. "The smoke's too thick. Save your strength."

But Sophia wouldn't be silenced. Her vision blurred from the acrid smoke, yet she clung to Nathan with desperate strength. If these were her final moments, she wanted them to be in his arms.

The once-celebratory atmosphere had turned deadly. Through stinging eyes, Harrison Whitmore spotted a fire extinguisher mounted on the far wall.

Without hesitation, he stripped off his jacket and wrapped it around his head. "Cover your faces!" he shouted before plunging into the flames.

"Harrison!" Evelyn Carter screamed as fire licked at his exposed skin.

With remarkable speed, Harrison wrestled the extinguisher from its mount. White foam sprayed toward the inferno as he yelled, "Everyone out! Now!"

The group scrambled toward the exit as an alarm finally blared through the chaos.

"Sophia?" Nathan called, but she'd already gone limp in his arms.

On the other side of the room, Evelyn collapsed, her lungs burning. Just before darkness claimed her, she felt strong arms catch her fall.

Three days later...

In Frenda's most prestigious hospital, the Kingsley family kept vigil around a still figure.

Leonard Kingsley gripped his cane until his knuckles turned white. "When will she wake?" he demanded for the tenth time.

Dominic Kingsley placed a steadying hand on his grandfather's shoulder. "The doctors say Evelyn's vitals are strong. She just needs time."

"Time?" Leonard's cane struck the floor sharply. "It's been seventy-two hours!"

As Dominic turned to summon another physician, a soft groan came from the bed.

Evelyn's eyelids fluttered open, revealing confused hazel eyes. The sterile white room and sharp antiseptic scent overwhelmed her senses.

"Grandfather...Dominic...Julian..." Her voice emerged as a painful rasp. "What happened?"

Julian moved to her side instantly. "You were caught in the club fire, remember? You passed out from smoke inhalation."

Fragmented memories surfaced - heat, screams, Harrison's heroic dash through flames. Evelyn's eyes widened. "Olivia! The others - are they-?"

"Everyone's safe," Julian assured, smoothing her hair. "Focus on recovering now."

But Evelyn's mind raced with unanswered questions as she weakly grasped his hand. The fire hadn't been an accident - and someone would pay for nearly taking everything from her.