Love Burned to Ashes

Drunk and reeking of alcohol, Connor stumbled back into the room. The moment he climbed into bed, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping himself around her from behind, his hand fitting snugly around her narrow waist.

In a low, raspy voice, he murmured her name. "Samantha... Samantha, I missed you so much."

His words and his touch were thick with tenderness, so convincing that Samantha found herself hesitating.

Her back stiffened slightly. She placed her hand over his, inhaling deeply before testing him. "Connor, do you really love me?"

His chin nuzzled into her hair like a kitten seeking warmth. Without a pause, he said, "I love you. I love you so much. Samantha, let's never be apart. Ever."

Her eyes were blank, unfocused. She gently guided his hand to her chest, right over her heart.

After a long silence, she echoed, "Alright. Let's never be apart."

If Connor was willing to throw himself into this cruel game of revenge, then she was just as willing to offer up her entire life in return.

Later, his breathing evened out. He'd fallen asleep.

Samantha sat up suddenly, reached for his phone, and tried unlocking it with her birthday. Wrong password.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. Then she entered Cathy Simone's birthday.

The screen lit up.

The shame of her own blindness hit her hard—how easily she'd trusted him, how oblivious she'd been to the deceit that had wrapped itself around her life like a noose.

She opened WhatsApp, scrolled through his group chats, and clicked into one with his friends.

[Connor, it's almost Cathy's death anniversary. Let's do something big that day, really give Samantha a lesson she won't forget. Consider it a tribute to Cathy.]

[Yeah. I've got an idea—let her relive that nightmare from three years ago. But we'll make it worse. When the fire starts, you swoop in and 'save' her again. She'll be even more obsessed with you. Then when she's madly in love, just dump her.]

There was a long pause before Connor replied: [Alright. But don't take it too far. Safety first.]

His friends replied:

[Connor, you're still too nice to her. Have you forgotten? If it weren't for her, Cathy wouldn't be dead.]

[You're not actually falling for her, are you?]

His reply came instantly. [As if. She killed Cathy. I could never love her. Not in this lifetime.]

Samantha stared at that message. She could almost picture the look on his face as he typed it—eyes cold, jaw tight.

He must hate her. Hate her so much he could barely stand it.

And yet, for years, he'd played the role of the doting lover. How much pain must he have endured, pretending every day?

Her chest felt hollow. But her thoughts were already settling into clarity.

On Cathy's death anniversary—one month from now—she would "die". Right in front of him.

She'd give him what he wanted: release.

But she also had a parting gift for him.

She was going to uncover the truth behind Cathy's death.

Because that death had always been strange. And she had nothing to do with it.

The day it happened, they had been practicing dance together at the studio. The security cameras confirmed no one else had entered or left the building.

Then out of nowhere, Cathy jumped.

No signs of suicidal thoughts. No reason to end her life. So naturally, everyone pointed fingers at Samantha.

But she was innocent.

Her fingers clenched into fists. She could already imagine the moment Connor found out that Cathy's death had nothing to do with her.

And by then, she would already be gone—destroyed by his revenge.

She couldn't wait to see the look on his face.