Chapter 35
Without her mother, Gwyneth wouldn’t even be alive. And her mother’s photo was anything but some stupid photo. Gwyneth’s anger flared, and with a sudden burst of strength, she broke free from Zachary’s grip and lunged back into the flames.
Zachary tried to stop her again, but Gwyneth, her eyes bloodshot with fury, slapped him hard. “Stop in
interfering! Get out of here.”
She shoved his arm away and finally grabbed her mother’s photo frame. Burning debris crashed down above her as she screamed and dodged, still refusing any help from him.
Screams erupted outside. Zachary’s heart ached more than his scorched face as he watched her dodge the falling debris. In one swift move, he pulled her out through the side door.
The moment they were outside, Gwyneth violently shook off his grip. “Who asked for your help! Get lost! Thank God Mom’s photo is safe. She cradled the frame protectively. Every detail had been chosen by her mother, making it one of a kind.
Zachary’s heart pounded. ‘Gwyneth has almost died in there. Who cares about this damned photo? He said, standing firm, “Gwennie, we need to
Gwyneth remained silent.
Suddenly, Diana’s scream cut through the air. “See! The astrologer was right! Gwyneth, we let your mother’s photo into the ball, and you still burned it down! Our family’s ancestors were all in there.”
The accusation hung in the air, and other family members quickly piled on, their voices rising in a chorus of blame.
Hidden from sight, Diana’s lips twisted into a cold smile. The memorial hall is in ruins now. What use is a photo in ashes!”
Gwyneth slipped around to the front, catching Diana’s gaze. Her eyes turned cold as she got it the fire in the hall–definitely Diana’s doing.
Seeing Gwyneth’s silence. Diana pressed on. “Gwyneth, why aren’t you saying anything? Feeling guilty!”
“Gulle
She’s definely the one who set the fire,” one of the elders put in. She always resented us–disrespectful just now, too—”
The elder’s words died mid–sentence.
Gwyneth yanked up her sleeve, revealing her red, burned arm. Her gaze sharpened. “Looks like someone was trying to kill me. I nearly got crushed by burning beams.
“If you all think I set the fire, then call the police. Let them figure out if this was arson to kill me or if I really wanted to burn down the hall.”
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. It made sense- if she’d set the fire, she wouldn’t have hurt herself.
Diana’s face drained of color. She couldn’t let Gwyneth call the police. If the investigation traced the origin of the fire back to her, she would be exposed.
“The hall’s a private placeno way we’re letting outsiders in, Diana said, her voice trembling. “I took a closer look. Only the inner doors and partitions are damaged.
“Probably just a candle that set off the curtain by accident. Gwyneth may be a bit reckless, but she’d never torch our family hall. This has to be, um. a misunderstanding By the end, she was sweating and sounded weak
Someone nearby mustered. “You’re a good stepmom, cleaning up after your stepkid’s mess!
Gwyneth felt sick to her stomach. Clutching her mother’s photo, she stormed our–she needed to find a clean place to honor her mother.
As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, Zachary’s hand clamped down on her wrist. She’d even forgotten he was sull here. “Let me go she snapped, yanking her arm free.
1/1
