Chapter 3 — The Woman Nobody Knew
The ambulance doors closed behind me.
A medic wrapped fresh bandages around my burned hands.
"You inhaled a lot of smoke," she said.
"You need the hospital."
I shook my head.
"My daughter's waiting for me."
The ambulance door opened again.
Preston climbed inside.
Still wearing his torn tuxedo.
His face was streaked with soot.
"I don't even know your name."
"Marisol."
"Marisol Vega."
He looked at me for a long moment.
"You saved my son."
I smiled weakly.
"I saved someone's little boy."
He swallowed hard.
"No."
"You saved mine."
The next morning...
Every news station carried the same headline.
UNKNOWN CATERER RISKS HER LIFE TO SAVE BILLIONAIRE'S SON.
Reporters searched everywhere.
But nobody could find me.
Because I was back at work.
Washing dishes.
Just like always.
Until a black SUV stopped outside the catering company.
The owner rushed into the kitchen.
"Marisol..."
"There's someone here to see you."
Standing outside...
Was Preston Blackwood.
Beside him...
Elliot.
Holding Charlie in his arms.
The little boy ran straight toward me.
"You came."
I knelt carefully despite the burns.
"I promised I would."
Then Elliot reached into his backpack.
He pulled out a drawing.
It showed a woman surrounded by flames...
Holding a little boy.
May you like
Across the top he'd written in crooked letters:
MY HERO.
