My Husband's Lover Died in Our Fire

I jolted awake at dawn, choking on thick smoke.

As I stumbled through the burning building, I ran into the desperate mother and child from downstairs. Without thinking, I plunged into the flames to save the little boy who'd fallen—ignoring the danger to myself.

But instead of gratitude, the woman shoved me away.

My husband came rushing in—only to brush right past me and go straight to them.

Trapped under the collapsing security door, I heard the child's voice cut through the smoke: "Dad!"

After being reborn, I finally escaped them.

That family of three would get what they deserved.

When the smoke woke me again, I realized I'd been given a second chance.

The fire had already spread downstairs. Single mother Olive was fleeing with her child, just like in my past life. A familiar cry reached my ears—but this time, I didn't hesitate. I soaked a towel, covered my face, and bolted for the opposite stairwell.

A different path. A different choice.

Using my phone's dim light, I navigated the smoky darkness.

I wasn't heartless—I'd just learned the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished.

Last time, I'd followed those cries and saved the boy from the inferno. Olive snatched him back, then pushed me toward the flames. My husband Calvin arrived like a hero—only to charge past me, straight to them.

By the time I tried to stand, the security door crushed my legs.

I watched him scoop up the boy, grip Olive's shoulder, and vanish into the smoke.

Before the fire swallowed me whole, I heard the child call Calvin "Dad."

The flames drowned my screams.

He never looked back.

Even now, the phantom stench of burning flesh clawed at my nerves.

If I'd known Olive and her son were Calvin's secret family, I'd have let them burn.

How stupid I'd been.

This time, I'd let fate handle them.

Victor's wails and Olive's shrieks faded behind me as I descended. My stomach churned; my heart hammered like a drum.

When I burst outside, gasping for air, the fire roared behind me—crackling wood, shattering glass, blaring alarms. Neighbors swarmed, asking if I was okay.

Then a hand yanked me backward.