They Locked Me In a Tower. All To Please Her Chapter 04

They Locked Me In a Tower. All To Please Her Chapter 04

I lay sideways on the balcony, tears carving rivers down my face.

The night wind chilled me to the bone.

I don’t know how long passed.

My fingertips went numb. Pins spread through my limbs.

Blood loss made me dizzy.

Then—the smell of something burning.

My chest tightened. I forced my head to turn.

The kitchen was on fire. Flames growing.

I dragged myself across the floor. The rope tore my hands bloody.

I pulled until my right shoulder dislocated. The rope came loose.

I ripped off the tape. Screamed for help.

But at this hour, the neighbors were at work.

The balcony door was locked. The fire had reached the living room.

I fumbled for my phone. Called my mother.

Rang forever. No answer.

I called Knox. He picked up.

Laughter in the background.

I choked on. Begged,

“Knox, help me! The house is on fire!”

“I’m locked on the balcony! I can’t get out!”

Two seconds of silence. Then a cold laugh,

“Mila. You’d make up a fire just to get back at Ella? You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m not lying!” Tears poured, “Knox, the fire’s real! I can’t hold on much longer!”

The call cut off.

Daisy’s messages flooded in,

[Mila, let me be straight with you. Knox has been with Ella for a while.]

[That design at the finals? Knox gave it to her. He just didn’t know you had backup proof.]

[All these years—your surgeries, your hospital stays. He never visited.]

[But when Ella got depressed, He kept his door open at night. Just to keep an eye on her.]

[That wedding house. The top-floor river view.]

[Anyone with eyes could see it wasn’t for you. You were just too stupid to notice.]

[Ella’s almost better now. Her award is back.]

[Mila. Know when to quit. Bow out!]

Below the messages—a video.

A private room. Warm lights. Laughter.

Knox stood behind Ella. Arms around her waist.

Fingers laced. Together, they held the cake knife. Cut the cake.

Then Ella turned. Kissed his mouth.

Knox pulled her in. Kissed her back. Deep.

The camera panned. Dorian clapping. My parents, smiling. Beaming.

I stared at the screen. Frozen. Couldn’t move.

Behind me, the heat roared.

But I was ice. From head to toe.

While I was running toward our future—he’d already turned down another road.

An appliance exploded. Jolted me back.

I walked to the window. Looked down.

My head spun. Heart pounded.

I looked back. Fire had swallowed half the living room.

The balcony glass cracked.

I closed my eyes. Opened my arms.

And jumped.

—

Three hours later. Ella’s birthday party ended.

They pulled up to the building. Saw the flames.

The property manager ran over.

“Your apartment’s on fire! Is anyone still inside?”

Mila. Tied up on the balcony.

Every face went white.