"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

last look at her-she was lying on the bed with her eyes closed,

soft sigh, he shut the door and

hit the pillow, Aveline fell into a deep

in her half-conscious state, she began to

Smoke?

smell like

odor grew stronger, jolting her fully awake. She opened her eyes and saw thick smoke swirling through the

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

instant, the haze of alcohol cleared from her

Fire!

soaked the coat thoroughly

a surge of flames leaped inside! The fire in the hallway was even fiercer than she'd imagined. Amidst the chaos, Aveline could

she slammed the door shut,

How did a fire

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

wasn't an accident. Someone had

they meant to burn them alive. What a cruel and

Aveline!" Zachary's muffled

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