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.

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

he shut the door and

head hit the pillow, Aveline fell into a

began to notice

Smoke?

like

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

foggy, but as she sat up and looked around, she caught

an instant, the haze of alcohol cleared

Fire!

bed, grabbed her coat, and rushed to the bathroom. She soaked the coat thoroughly with water, then

of flames leaped inside! The fire in the hallway was even fiercer than she'd

slammed the door shut, her face draining

happen? How did a fire break out so

to call the fire department, but

Someone had done this on

them alive. What

muffled voice

shouted back, "I'm