The Billionaire Could Only Watch His Mansion Burn... Until the Caterer Everyone Ignored Ran Into the Flames
Chapter 1 — The Mother Who Ran Into the Fire
The ceiling groaned above us.
A burning beam crashed across the hallway, showering sparks over the soaked tablecloth wrapped around the little boy.
He buried his face against my shoulder.
"I don't want to die," he whispered.
My throat tightened.
"You won't."
I held him tighter.
"I promise."
The smoke grew thicker with every breath.
The blue bedroom was already disappearing behind black clouds.
Somewhere downstairs, glass exploded.
The staircase.
I had to reach the staircase.
I crawled on my knees, one arm shielding the boy while the other searched through the smoke.
"Stay awake," I whispered.
"What's your name?"
"Elliot."
"That's a strong name."
He coughed violently.
"My daddy..."
"We're going to find him."
The floor suddenly shook beneath us.
A section of the ceiling collapsed only a few feet away.
Flames shot across the hallway.
There was no way back.
My heart pounded.
Think.
Think.
Then I spotted a window at the end of the corridor.
I staggered toward it.
Locked.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a bronze statue from a nearby table and smashed it through the glass.
Cold night air rushed inside.
Below us...
Firefighters had finally arrived.
One of them looked up.
"We've got them!"
A ladder was already being raised.
But before I could reach it—
Elliot grabbed my shirt.
His tiny fingers trembled.
"My puppy..."
I froze.
"What?"
"My puppy's still under my bed."
For one impossible second...
I closed my eyes.
A child.
Still thinking about his dog.
Even while trapped inside a burning mansion.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"We can't go back."
Tears rolled down his smoke-covered face.
Then...
A bark echoed through the room.
Weak.
May you like
Barely audible.
The puppy was still alive.
