Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 329: Caught Up

Chapter 329: Caught Up

The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, and the distant sirens only added to the cacophony of chaos that surrounded her.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed from shattered windows, masking the once-familiar structure in a shroud of darkness. Flames danced hungrily, devouring everything they touched. The world seemed to slow down as Viviana’s eyes locked onto the building’s charred facade, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.

As time stretched on, the smoke grew thicker, making it impossible to see the building clearly. The flames continued to ravage the structure, making it appear as if her worst nightmares had come to life.

This is the third time she’s witnessing a fire. And this time, it’s her husband in the fire.

A lump formed in Viviana’s throat as she clung to the hope that somehow, Leander had escaped the inferno. The smoke rose above spreading the dreadful smell around. She looked closely to see if anyone was getting out of the house.

In the chaotic time, Helena broke into laughter. "Hell on earth!" she cackled. "God punished him for breaking his promise to me by taking another woman to his house!"

God? Did God punish Leander?

"I told you, didn’t I?" Helena grabbed Viviana’s hair. "You will never be happy. Look! He’s dead!" She cackled like an evil witch.

Viviana broke down. Her chest hurt and the dreaded feeling of losing her legs came back. She fell to the ground on her knees.

There it is...fire...once again when she thought she was happy with her life...

Martha saw Viviana’s state and rushed to her. Helena saw the baby in the car and picked her up. Martha screamed at Helena to stop. She didn’t know who to help first and made a split-second decision to get the baby from Helena before she escaped.

Luca jumped the wall and got inside.

"Why do you have to take everything from me? Why?" she shouted looking up.

No one answered her. Just like the day she prayed to save Leona. No one saved Leona. Leona died.

Viviana shouted from her abdomen. Everything else blurred in her vision. The rising inferno that reflected in her eyes burned her soul. She saw Luca rushing inside. In the distance, she heard sirens blaring.

Right! I can do something this time. What if he’s trapped?

She stood up. Blood rushed to her head and she stumbled and fell as her legs had gone numb. Her chin hit the floor and her tongue bled. That didn’t stop her. She forgot about everything else. She even forgot her baby.

Her soul was crying for her husband.

Leander... Leo... My Leo... please, be safe...

She climbed the gates. The entire place was covered with thick smoke. Her chest constricted and burned as she inhaled. Her eyes stung. Her heart was weak but her spirit was high. She pushed through.

"Signora!"

She heard a familiar voice.

"Steve!" she shouted. Without knowing she let out a sharp exhale. If Steve is here, Leander would be safe too. "Where is he?" she shouted. Smoke got inside her lungs and she coughed. Amidst the burn in her chest, she shouted again. "Where is my husband?"

"Signora! Get out! It’s raging in there... Signora!" Steve shouted and ran to her.

Viviana squinted her eyes and looked around. She didn’t see Leander anywhere.

"Where is he, Steve? Why is he not with you?"

She ran inside holding her chest that was burning as she coughed. She didn’t want Steve to catch her. She had to look for Leander. She was prepared to die looking for him. She was not going to stand still and let fire take everything she holds dear.

Either she was going to take her husband from the jaws of the deadly fire or she was going to join her husband in the fire. She decided to fight to the death against the fire.

Either she wins or she dies.

"Signora!"

Steve’s voice became distant behind her as she stepped inside the house. She knew that house inside and out. She was drenched in sweat and the heat made her skin sting. She couldn’t bear to take a step forward. She found that there was no air left for her to breathe. But she pushed through.

"Leo!" she used her final breath to shout his name. She knew it was her last breath. She couldn’t even keep her eyes open. Her fingertips had gone numb. Her head hurt as if someone hit it with a hammer.

"Signora!"

She heard Steve shouting once more and that was followed with another BOOM.

It came from the kitchen. It must be the gas, she thought. That was the last thing she remembered. Everything around her blackened and she fell curled up inside the burning house.

She was out of her consciousness but she was not dead yet. She had read somewhere that when the brain lacks oxygen and as the brain cells die, the neurons gets fired up and that gives hallucinations. That was the reason many who faced near-death say that their whole life flashed in front of their eyes. Some say they saw a bright light and angels and some see demons and hell.

Her neurons must be firing out too. Because she was seeing an angel.

Michael...

With his wings spread, Michael descended in a streak of blue light with his sword. With just a flutter of his wings the fire disappeared. "Dearest Jo..." Michael leaned to her and she started to float.

Take me with you, Michael...

She spoke in her dream-like state.

Let’s fly away together...

Everything went blank once again.

Viviana didn’t know how much time had passed. She furrowed her brows feeling the strong light over her eyes. She couldn’t move her limbs but she didn’t feel any pain.

Am I dead?

Slowly, she blinked her eyes to open to the white walls in front of her. There was a breathing mask on her face. She looked to her side to see various machines that were hooked to her.

I’m in the hospital.

Leo!

She pulled the mask out of her face and sat up.

"Leo!" she screamed. "Leo, where are you? Leo!!!"