Flames of Regret

"Cece, what are you doing? The fire wasn't your fault, and she wasn't injured trying to save you. Why are you blaming yourself?" Benedict said.

Celestine clung to his chest, sobbing and shaking her head. "But I just feel awful! I wish I had been the one burned instead. If I were the one lying here, I'd feel a little better about it."

Watching this pair of shameless lovers put on such a melodramatic show in front of me almost made me gag.

With a mocking sneer, I said, "You should feel guilty. My dear husband chose to save his old flame while leaving his actual wife to fend for herself. If I were to spread the word, do you think the two of you would be drowned in public outrage?"

Celestine stiffened for a moment at my words, but she quickly recovered and suddenly lunged toward the wall as if to bash her head against it. "Let me die! Let me die! It's my fault Ophelia got burned. I'll compensate her with my life!"

Benedict paled and rushed to grab her. "Cece, don't do anything rash! Ophelia is just upset. She didn't mean to blame you!"

I seized the moment and added fuel to the fire, my voice even louder than Celestine's tearful wails as I said, "Who said I didn't mean it? I do blame her!

"She knew you were married, yet she still clung to you. And you—you knew that whoever wasn't rescued first would likely die, but you didn't hesitate to choose your ex. If it weren't for your coworker arriving in time, I wouldn't even be alive right now. Am I not even allowed to resent the mistress?"

Benedict could no longer tolerate me verbally lashing out at his innocent first love. With a loud smack, he slapped me hard across the face.

"You're being unreasonable! Cece is delicate and fragile. What's wrong with me saving her first? It's not like you're dead, are you?"

That slap severed the last shred of emotion I had for him.

Exhausted, I turned to my caretaker, Thea Winslow.

"Thea, I'll pay you a thousand dollars. Get these two pests out of my sight."

Thea didn't hesitate. She rolled up her sleeves and gave each of them a resounding slap.

Benedict, with his thick skin, barely flinched. Celestine, on the other hand, was not so lucky. Her meticulously styled hair came undone, her face swelled up on one side, and she let out an ear-piercing shriek.

I nodded in satisfaction. "Well done, Thea. Another thousand-dollar bonus for you."

Emboldened, Thea didn't hold back. Despite being a middle-aged woman, she had no trouble chasing the two young lovers out of my hospital room, leaving them scrambling like frightened rats.

After I was discharged, Anwen decided to accompany me home. She packed my things, unwilling to let me be alone.

Forcing a smile, I tried to sound nonchalant. "You're so busy, yet you still made time for me. I feel bad about this."

She flicked my forehead lightly. "Don't pretend you are happy. Do you really need to wear a mask even in front of me?"

With just those words, the walls I had so carefully built around my emotions crumbled.

I threw myself into her arms and broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably. All the grievances, all the pain, I let them pour out.

Holding me tight, Anwen whispered, seething with anger. "Don't cry. The best revenge against a scumbag is to live a happy life."

After a few more comforting curses on my behalf, my sobs gradually subsided.

Wiping my tears, we finally stepped into my home.

But the moment we saw what was inside, Anwen's face twisted in fury, and she nearly jumped in rage.