He Left Me To Die In The Fire

The words had barely left Jessica's mouth when regret hit her—she clamped a hand over her lips, shocked. Aliya Ross felt the blood drain from her face.

Eight years ago, when Santana Gray had just been accepted back by his family after returning from Boston, he faced brutal payback from relatives. At a make-or-break moment, Aliya volunteered to lead the pursuers away, but they caught her instead. Those three days and nights still haunted her whenever she dared to remember.

Santana waited outside the ER for seventy-two hours straight—not even a coffee break. When he learned Aliya's kidney had ruptured and she needed a transplant, he didn't hesitate for a second before volunteering for compatibility tests. He saved her life, but the psychological scars cut deep. She'd lock herself in the bathroom, scrubbing her skin raw, flinching violently whenever anyone came close. In her frenzied state, she stabbed Santana more than once. She nearly cost him an eye; the scar at the corner still lingered to this day.

Even then, Santana held her tight. His usual cool, proud composure shattered as he wept through the night, tears mixing with blood that seared her palms. "You're not tainted. You're not at all. You are the purest soul in the world."

To shield her from more trauma, Santana pulled every string he could to bury the kidnapping, forbidding anyone from ever bringing it up. When a well-connected young man tried to spread the story as gossip, he was silenced fast—his parents didn't even dare to complain.

Yet now, after overhearing the whole exchange, Santana simply tucked Jessica protectively behind him, like he was bracing for Aliya's reaction.

"Jessica didn't mean it. Don't blame her. Besides—" Santana sighed. "She's not entirely wrong."

Those few words stabbed through Aliya's heart, shredding all the fierce love she'd cherished for years into ribbons.

"So you think I'm filthy?"

Santana looked away. "I'm a man too. It's hard to completely look past this."

Though it was scorching summer outside, Aliya felt like she'd been thrown into an icy wasteland. She grabbed whatever she could reach and hurled it. "Get out! Both of you!"

But Santana caught her wrist, his tall, imposing frame caging her in. "Jessica was like a daughter to your mother. If you throw her out now, what will people think?"

The place that had once been her safe haven now filled her with dread. "What do you want?"

"We'll stay here with you through Thanksgiving. In return, you'll attend my wedding to Jessica."

Santana's voice carried a hint of indulgence. "It's the only way to spare Jessica from being judged."

Just to protect Jessica from a little criticism? Aliya glared at the man in front of her, feeling the fury blaze in her chest. "And what about me?"

Santana sighed again. "I know you want to be recognized."

"I've found a country where polygamy is legal. Your status can be legally recognized too."

"You want me to be a second wife?"

Aliya couldn't believe she was hearing this proposal in this day and age. The shame and humiliation nearly swallowed her whole. "Absolutely not!"

"I'm leaving you. I'll never—"

"With your reputation, who else would take you?" Santana cut her off, cold and impatient, each word stinging. "Your only family is gone. I'm all that's left. Where else could you possibly go?"

"I've given you recognition. Enough of this drama."

Jessica chimed in, "Exactly, Aliya. It's such a blessing that I'm the one marrying Santana. Don't worry, I won't make things hard for you. We'll still be besties, just like before, okay?"

"If your mother were still alive, she'd want us all to get along."

Seeing Jessica reach for her hand, Aliya felt a surge of revulsion and snatched her hand away.

Jessica stumbled off balance and fell toward the table that held the urn.

Aliya rushed to catch her, but Santana shoved her aside just in time.

With a crash, the urn shattered, ashes scattering across the floor.

"No!" Aliya screamed, the sound pure despair.

Santana saw what had happened and frowned. "I was only trying to keep Jessica from getting hurt."

Before he could say anything else, Jessica started coughing violently.

"Jessica, what's wrong? Is it your asthma?"

Jessica struggled to shake her head. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, the ashes wouldn't have—cough, cough—go comfort Aliya. I'll be fine..."

She passed out before she could finish.

Santana's entire demeanor shifted. He scooped Jessica up urgently, shouting for the medical team.

As he hurried out, he shot Aliya a look of pure contempt. "If anything happens to Jessica, I'll never forgive you!"