"Lucas..." Aveline murmured his name as she dialed his number.

Zachary watched her, shaking his head with a sigh.

Maybe she didn't even realize it herself, but her resistance to Lucas had softened.

After all, she wasn't heartless. How could anyone remain unmoved in the face of sincere apologies and requests for forgiveness? The busy signal droned in her ear, and as the dull beeping continued, Aveline's expression turned sour.

Why wasn't he picking up? Where had he gone?

In the end, the call disconnected automatically.

"He won't take my call... then I don't need him," Aveline muttered, wobbling slightly as she stood up and headed toward the door. Zachary quickly stepped in to steady her, preventing a fall.

But Aveline pushed him away. "I... I'm fine. I can manage on my own."

He stayed close, ready to catch her if needed.

Given how much she had drunk, her unsteady gait was no surprise.

Thankfully, despite her zigzagging path, she managed to avoid falling.

Back in her room, Zachary said, "Get some rest. I'll leave now but call me if you need anything."

Aveline nodded, her voice a

look at her-she was lying on the bed

he shut the door and turned to

moment her head hit the pillow, Aveline fell

half-conscious state, she began

Smoke?

it smell like smoke

odor grew stronger, jolting her fully awake. She opened her eyes and

was still foggy, but as she sat up and looked around, she caught sight of flames flickering outside

the haze of alcohol cleared from her

Fire!

the bathroom. She soaked the coat thoroughly with water, then draped it over herself before

as she cracked the door open, a surge of flames leaped inside! The fire in the hallway was even fiercer than she'd imagined. Amidst the chaos, Aveline could just make out the cries

door shut, her face

happen? How did a

fire department, but there was no signal. She couldn't even make an emergency

an accident. Someone had done this

burn them alive. What a cruel

Zachary's muffled voice came from

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