Chapter 2 - The Truth About the Flames
The church erupted into terrified whispers.
My father froze completely.
His grip on my wheelchair loosened just enough for Margaret to shove his hands away.
"What are you talking about?" I whispered.
My voice sounded small and broken.
I had always been told a space heater caused the fire.
It was a tragic accident that destroyed my life.
Margaret looked at my father with absolute disgust.
"Tell her the truth, Mark."
My father swallowed hard and looked away.
Emily screamed from the altar.
"Shut up, Margaret!"
Daniel grabbed Emily’s arm to keep her from lunging.
"Don't touch my mother," he warned.
Margaret kept her eyes locked on my parents.
"I hired a private investigator before this wedding."
"I wanted to know why you kept Sarah hidden like a shameful secret."
"The investigator found the original fire marshal's report."
"The one you paid to have buried."
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I looked at my mother, who was sobbing silently.
"Mom, what report?" I asked.
Linda couldn't meet my eyes.
Margaret answered for her.
"The fire didn't start in the living room."
"It started in Emily's bedroom."
"Ten-year-old Emily was playing with matches in her closet."
"She started the fire, and then she ran out of the room."
The air left my lungs completely.
I remembered the thick smoke.
I remembered running into that house to save her.
She hadn't been trapped by the flames.
She had been hiding under a collapsed curtain out of pure guilt.
I burned my entire body to save the person who set the fire.
And my parents knew.
"Is it true?" I demanded.
My father finally looked at me.
His eyes were cold and devoid of any paternal warmth.
"You were always so dramatic, Sarah."
May you like
He pulled a folded document from his coat pocket.
"You think you're the victim, but you don't even know who you really are."
