After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back

"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."

"Okay... sure." Aveline nodded, her voice a little slurred.

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

shut the door

moment her head hit the pillow,

half-conscious state, she began

Smoke?

did it smell like smoke in the

jolting her fully awake. She opened her

but as she sat up and looked around, she caught sight of flames

the haze of alcohol

Fire!

jumped out of bed, grabbed her coat, and rushed to the bathroom. She soaked the coat

the hallway was even fiercer than she'd imagined. Amidst the chaos, Aveline could just make out the

the door shut, her

did

fire department, but there was

Someone had done

was, they meant to burn them alive. What a cruel and twisted

Zachary's muffled voice came

shouted back, "I'm