Chapter 4

Vivian flashed me a triumphant smile. I smiled too, relieved. I got back to the place Eric and I shared. The lawyer had already arranged for movers to take away my valuable personal belongings. My two-year-old son was still asleep. I couldn’t bring myself to wake him. The lawyer was accidentally injured when a cabinet toppled over, so I rushed her to the hospital. Estimating when my son might wake up, I hurried back as fast as I could to pick him up. I wasn’t even at the house yet when I saw thick black smoke rising like a cloud above the roof. My heart clenched tight as I slammed down the gas pedal. The closer I got, the stronger my dread grew. My hands shook on the steering wheel, and all I could do was pray silently that it wasn’t our home on fire. But the moment I got out of the car, I saw the house being devoured by flames. In that instant, my whole world collapsed. Vivian nestled against Eric’s chest, crying in a delicate, trembling voice. "Eric, I’m sorry, I didn’t think setting off a few fireworks to celebrate would actually set the house on fire. "What do we do now? Oh no…" She trembled like a frightened rabbit, eyes wide with fear. Eric didn’t seem to care about the burning house. He just smiled and soothed her, saying, "It’s okay, don’t cry. It’s just a house. It’s not a big deal. "I’ve got plenty of houses. This is nothing to me. Come on, don’t cry, my silly girl." I rushed toward the fire, my legs weak, screaming desperately, "My son is inside! Somebody help! Put out the fire! Please—" I lost control, trying to fight my way in. Eric grabbed me from behind, wrapping his arms around me. "Madeline! Calm down! We don’t have a kid! There is no kid! "If you’re upset about the house, I’ll give you another one!" Vivian chimed in, her voice thick with mock concern. "Madeline, what’s this act? What kid? Don’t tell me you’re delusional." I fought free from Eric’s grip and slapped him hard across the face, my whole body shaking with rage. "It’s our son! He’s two years old! He’s sleeping in there!" I was completely out of my mind as I tried to charge into the burning house again. Flames were devouring the entire house, crackling and popping as everything was nearly burned away. Sirens wailed in the distance. The fire truck was almost there. Eric caught me again, shouting in anger, "Are you out of your mind? Is this your new trick to control me? "Madeline Brooks, your life is on you! If you go in there, you’ll die. Is that what you want?" "A son? When did you ever give birth? How would I not know? You must be crazy!" Vivian echoed him, nodding like it made sense. "I think so too, Madeline. Love can’t be forced.Why do this to yourself?" I lunged at Vivian, grabbing her hair and dragging her toward the flames. "Vivian, if anything happens to my son, you’ll burn with him!" She shrieked, twisting away in pain. Eric rushed over, blocking me from Vivian. He slapped me hard, glaring. "Madeline Brooks, are you insane?" Then he turned and barked at the bodyguards, "Take her to the psych ward. Get her evaluated!" Two tall bodyguards moved in right away, ready to drag me off. In that hopeless moment, I was ready to give up everything and ready to rush into the flames to find my son. Suddenly, a familiar, shaken voice came from behind me— "Mommy, I’m here…"