Chapter 14
“Word is, it was the summer three years ago,” Caleb said, catching Jaxon’s eye in the rearview mirror.
Jaxon’s gaze sharpened. “Start with her last client. That could lead us to her quicker.”
“On it, sir,” Caleb replied.
Back at Windmere Estates, Sally texted Howard, explaining that she was the one pushing for the divorce and asking him not to make things tough for Brad and Nick.
She wasn’t trying to protect them–she just wanted Brad to sign the papers so she could move on.
Half an hour later, Howard texted back with one short line.
Howard: [I just want you to be happy.]
Sally stared at the message, her eyes lingering.
Be happy–She used to want that too, to keep their family together.
But after Brad and Nick worked together to put her in prison, that hope was long gone.
The soft glow of the lamp above cast a warm light, but the words on her screen felt harsh, almost piercing.
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.
She opened it to find Abigail standing there.
“This Lillian kid is tough to pin down,” Abigail said, handing her a folder as she walked in. “Probably because of her messy background.”
Sally followed her inside, opening the file.
It was a full rundown of Lillian’s dad’s debts–gambling losses, unpaid corner store tabs, restaurant bills, the works.
“So, her dad’s buried in debt and dragging her around with him?” Sally asked, scanning the pages.
“Yep,” Abigail said, grabbing a glass of water. She looked at Sally, her face serious.
The guy’s a mess. Owes money all over and, from what I’ve heard, he’s rough with the kid too. We’ve got to find her fast.”
Sally’s brow furrowed. “But I’m not so sure she’s still with him. What if he dumped her somewhere else, like another orphanage, after taking her?”
“Could be,” Abigail said. “A deadbeat gambler like him? No way he’s playing doting dad, lugging a kid around. Too much
trouble.”
Sally’s expression darkened. “Where was their last known address?”
“Hold on. Abigail pulled out her phone, her fingers moving fast. She looked up. “Henderson Road.”
“And the closest orphanage to that area? Have you checked it out?” asked Sally.
Abigail took a sip of the water and replied, “You said yesterday her dad took her, so I focused on tracking him instead of checking orphanages again.”
Sally nodded. “I’ll do some research tonight. If there’s an orphanage nearby, I’ll swing by tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Abigail also nodded.
A quick pause hung between them before Abigail looked at her again. “So, when are you getting back to work?”
“You mean crystal carving?” Sally asked, her voice even.
“Yeah” Abigail grinned. “I’ve had a bunch of old clients hitting me up, wanting their broken carving pieces fixed. I’ve already
1/3
10:22 AM
Chapter 14
passed on six orders.”
“Crystal work’s pricey, and I don’t have the funds to dive back in yet,” Sally said. “I’m thinking of opening a Traditional Medicine Clinic first, then maybe restarting the crystalware shop later.
“Once the clinic’s going, I’ll take on some crystalware orders on the side.”
“That’s awesome!” Abigail’s face lit up. “You’re finally getting back out there. Seeing you pumped like this? That’s the Sally I know.”
Sally met her eyes, a warm smile breaking across her face.
The next afternoon, Sally followed Abigail’s tip and checked a map, finding an orphanage near Henderson Road.
When she got there by taxi, she spotted a line of shiny black luxury cars parked out front.
After telling the security guard why she was there, she was let inside.
She waited in the director’s office.
She waited in the director’s office. There, an assistant told her the CEO of a charity group was visiting to talk about upgrading the orphanage’s facilities and living conditions.
The director was busy with the VIP but would meet with her when they were done.
Sally waited and waited, nearly half an hour, but the director still hadn’t shown up.
Growing antsy, she stood to stretch her legs when a sharp, bitter smell hit her.
She could tell it was burnt wood.
Then, urgent shouts echoed from outside the door.
“Sir, the second–floor storage room’s on fire!” someone yelled, “Probably a bad plug. Three kids are trapped inside, and the flames are spreading fast…”
Another guy yelled, “Shut off the power now and call for help. I’ll get the security team to fight the fire.”
As a mom, hearing kids were trapped sent a fierce, protective jolt through Sally, like a tidal wave.
When she’d arrived, she’d noticed most of the orphans were around five or six–way too young to fend for themselves in a fire.
She flung the door open and stepped out.
Thick smoke was already creeping down the hallway. Following the smell, she reached the edge of the corridor.
Looking up, she saw heavy smoke pouring from the staircase at the far end. Without hesitating, she ran toward it.
At the orphanage’s front entrance, the director was saying goodbye to a guest.
“Mr. Zale, thanks for stopping by today,” the director said warmly, offering her hand. “Let’s meet again sometime.”
Jaxon was about to shake her hand when a piercing shout cut through the air behind him. “Fire! The second–floor storage room’s on fire! Somebody, help!”
He spun around, his eyes locking onto the orphanage building.
Dark, thick smoke was billowing from the right side of the second floor.
Then, a figure caught his attention–a woman in a white dress racing down the corridor.
Her hair streamed behind her as she sped past white stone pillars, moving like a gust of wind toward the second floor.
Even from a distance, Jaxon’s memory was sharp as a blade.
He’d seen her before–up close. It was Sally.
2/3
e
Chapter 14
‘What’s she doing here?‘ Jaxon wondered.
When Sally reached the fire, it was out of control.
A few staff members were gathered at the doorway, but none dared to go inside.
“Help! Somebody, please!” a kid screamed.
Another one cried in misery. “It’s too hot in here… I’m scared!”
The raw, panicked cries of kids inside sliced through the air.
Sally clenched her jaw and charged into the blaze.
Two kids were crouched under a big table near the entrance.
She got to them fast, leading them to safety. But as they stumbled out, she heard another cry from deeper inside.
“Ma’am, our friend’s still in there…” one of the rescued kids sobbed, pointing toward the heart of the fire.
A staff member grabbed Sally’s sleeve. “You can’t go back in! It’s a death trap!”
Her colleague nodded. “Yeah, it’s too dangerous!”
Sally sighed, “But if no one goes, who’s gonna save the kid?”
The staff’s frantic arguing filled her ears, the scene turning chaotic.
In the middle of the noise, Sally dove back into the flames.
To dodge the toxic smoke, she held her breath as long as she could, her face turning red.
When she finally gasped for air, the thick, biting smoke choked her.
The child’s cries were faint, coming from the far end of the room.
Feeling her way through the blinding haze, she followed the sound.
Then, a deafening crash thundered above her.
Sally froze, instinctively looking up.
A huge circular chandelier, its wooden mount burned through, broke free from the ceiling and came crashing down toward her.
Her smoke–stung eyes widened, a fierce wave of defiance surging in her chest.
She hadn’t gotten her revenge yet. She hadn’t made the people who’d hurt her pay.
‘Is this it?‘ she asked herself, ‘Am I going to die here?‘
Then her eyes refocused as her made her decision. “No, this isn’t over yet.”
3/3
