Arson
“You’re kidding me, right?” I ask her, hoping that she was just joking.
She shakes her head sadly before handing over her phone.
AVA SHARP’S HOUSE BURNS DOWN HOURS AFTER SHE REVEALS HER IDENTITY AS HOPE
FOUNDATION’S FOUNDER.
I read and re–read the title of the news, hoping that this was one big joke. I’m proven wrong when I
scroll down and see the video of a burning house.
As much as I didn’t want to believe it, there was no way to deny that it was indeed my house
burning.
With my heart in my throat, I place Mary’s phone down and stand up quickly. My movements are
jerky as I rushed out of the room.
“Ava, wait” She calls me but her words fall on deaf ears.
Faces blur as I move at a speed that would put vampires to shame. Nothing registers in my mind
as I get outside.
Getting into my car, I peel out of the parking lot just as Mary burst through the door. She waves.
her hand. Trying to make me stop. I ignore her and keep driving.
My head was in turmoil. Anger and panic wage war inside me.
Did I forget to turn off my stove and that’s what caused the fire? I had no answer because I couldn’t
remember if I had turned it off or not.
My phone rings with an incoming call from Rowan. I ignore it. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind
to deal with him.
I get more calls from Ethan, Letty and even Travis and mother. Just like with Rowan’s call, I ignore theirs too. I just wanted to get to my house and see how much damaged they caused.
“Fucking bitch, watch where you’re going” a man screams and gives me the middle finger.
In my rush to get home, I almost ran him over.
“Sorry” I shout out the window, but he doesn’t listen. He instead continues to curse me and I
+15 BONUS
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into my neighborhood.
I drive slowly as there are civilians, cops, police cars and a fire truck. I bring my car to a stop and walk a short distance to where my house was burning.
I watch in horror, unable to believe that it was true. Firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire, but even I knew that by the time they’re done there won’t be anything left.
I feel my heart break as I watch the fire consume my house. It may not be grand but it was mine
and Noah’s home for the past few months. I loved it and I had so many good memories there. 1
Tears threaten to fall. Why was this happenifng to me? Haven’t I been through enough?
his deep voice brings me back from to the
at
you doing here?” I ask as I wipe away my
other house had caught fire. I don’t know what
your phone, I
wanted a hug so badly, but I knew I wouldn’t get it from him. Couldn’t get
I give my house one final looking before turning and walking away. There wasn’t anything
increase my steps when I hear his footsteps behind me. I was out of a home so I
car, I think I’ve lost Rowan, only to be surprised when he opens the passenger door and plants his
are you doing?” I
I allowing you to be on your own he puts his seatbelt on as
“Get out I snap.
+15 BONUS
He ignores.
out of my
cold look. “It’s either you
choice”
him, but he doesn’t budge. We have a stare down for a couple of minutes. Eventually, I give up when I realize he
I ask as I start
he must have driven here or had his driver drive him. Rowan
who takes cabs.
home….I’ll call him when I need him” he mutters just as I
then
no longer have that” I whisper
going to be
it?” I
it wasn’t going to be okay. That the worst was yet to
my phone I call my real–estate agent. He
Ava. I saw what happened to your house”
I pause. “Please tell me you have something for me, anything really, given I’m
homeless”
idea of staying in a hotel for whatever period of time. I don’t know
have one and it’s perfect for you. I’m sure you’ll love it” he
send me the address now, I want to check it out. If I like it then I’ll
agrees before I
I have properties which you’re entitled to. You could have just picked one and I would have given it you” Rowan says startling me
+15 BONUS
so quiet and I had been so focused on getting a
he was with
can buy myself a damn new house and that is exactly what I will do. I don’t
your help”
under his breath, but it’s too low
while. The atmosphere in
I checked, your father
probably curious, he also
It was given either I would give up and ask for a divorce or you would. Personally I thought it would be you. I knew it was only a matter time before Emma
happened between them yesterday after I left, but I didn’t care. It was after
single dime from you except what was Noah’s. I wanted to continue providing Noah a life he was used to and I couldn’t do that on my teacher’s salary, so about
that company succeeding was small. They were sure that I would
very successful in its field. I was still a
started earning from my shares and it felt great. I took a part–time business course, just to know the ins and outs of managing a business. From there, I started investing in startup companies. Those who
+15 BONUS
investment. After the companies
member of the
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