Chapter 6
As Roderick reached for the medication in my hand, I quickly slipped it into my bag before
he could take it.
“It’s just a cold. Nothing serious,” I said.
Francesca chimed in, “The weather’s been terrible lately. Many people are getting sick.”
But Roderick ignored her, his eyes fixed on my bag.
I wanted to leave immediately. However, the moment I turned to go, he stopped me.
“Savannah, what are you hiding from me? If you’re sick, tell me. I can arrange for the best
doctors.”
As soon as his words settled, Francesca’s expression hardened. I even caught her grip tightening on his arm.
“That’s not necessary, Mr. Campbell. I—”
Before I could finish my sentence, Roderick interrupted, “Have we really reached the point where you won’t even talk to me?”
The question struck me as odd. And just like that, anger surged through me.
“You made it perfectly clear a few days ago that you wanted nothing to do with me, Mr. Campbell. So no, there’s nothing left to discuss. Goodbye,” I snapped.
This time, I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned and quickly walked downstairs.
I never expected to see Roderick here. There was a time when I longed to see him everywhere. Even a day apart made me miss him terribly.
Yet, he was always so busy. Before I left the country, we barely saw each other. Most of the time, we only communicate through texts and calls.
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Chapter 6
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After I left, Roderick never contacted me again. He even blocked my number, leaving me alone in a foreign country with no one to turn to.
Now that I was back, seeing him again was the last thing I wanted. And yet, here he was.
The truth was, I had been fighting depression for years. On the worst days, I had tried to end it all. That had happened more than once, but each time, I’d failed.
The last time, I almost succeeded. But somehow, I kept going.
When I got home, Danny was waiting in the living room.
2
Neither of us had slept well the night before. So, I gave him a bath and made dinner.
After he ate, I carried him to bed and rocked him to sleep.
Just as I was finally drifting off, the acrid sting of smoke hit my nostrils.
At first, I assumed a neighbor had burned their dinner. However, the smell thickened. It
was only then that I realized something was wrong.
I bolted upright and rushed to the window. Outside, black smoke billowed into the sky. The building was on fire.
Memories I had buried came roaring back instantly.
Without thinking, I grabbed Danny from the bed. He stirred and mumbled, “Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Then, he smelled it too. He wrapped his arms tightly around my neck and cried out,
“Mommy!”
My voice trembled with fear, but I reassured him, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
I forced myself to calm down just enough to grab a wet towel and press it over Danny’s mouth. A beat later, I stumbled toward the door.
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Chapter 6
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By now, the hallway was thick with smoke. My vision blurred, but I managed to feel my way
into the fire stairwell.
My heart pounded violently in my chest as I ran. I couldn’t see and tripped several times.
Meanwhile, Danny trembled uncontrollably in my arms. Guilt gnawed at me. He was just a child, yet he had to suffer because of me.
When I fell again, I couldn’t get up right away. Although he was terrified, Danny didn’t cry. He just clutched me tighter and whispered, “You can do it, Mommy.”
His words gave me strength. Ignoring the pain, I held him close, held my breath, and kept
moving.
a
Outside, people had gathered on the sidewalk. Fire trucks had arrived, and fire crews were working to put out the flames.
The scene brought back awful memories.
Right then, my legs buckled. Still holding Danny, I collapsed by the curb, dizzy and gasping
for air. He clung to me tightly. Fear was written all over his face as he asked, “Mommy, are we going to die?”
“No, sweetheart. I won’t let anything happen to you,” I replied, hugging him.
As long as I lived, I would protect Danny. Because his biological mother had died saving me.
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