Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 221: A Nightmare Come True

Chapter 221: A Nightmare Come True

Eric’s captivating eyes, reflecting Ella’s soft, pink cheeks and vibrant red lips, stirred something deep within him. Unable to resist, he gently pinched her lips, then leaned in for another kiss.

Ella let out a small whimper, her entire body feeling weak. She turned her head slightly to avoid his lips, "No more... I’m so tired."

Eric chuckled, lightly pinching her chin and whispering, "I just wanted to kiss you. What were *you* thinking?"

"Eric, you jerk!" Ella playfully punched his chest, and Eric instantly pretended to be in pain.

"Ouch! That hurts! Queen, you can’t punish your servant like this. If you want to punish me, you should... ride on top of me instead!"

"Eric! You really can’t say anything decent, can you?" Ella’s face flushed red as she turned her back to him, embarrassed.

Eric wrapped his arm around her waist, his mischievous smile full of charm. "Are you happy with your birthday, my Queen?" he asked.

Ella gave a small huff, but in her heart, she felt a sweetness. Eric lay down beside her, holding her close. "Look up at the stars..."

The ceiling was made of a small piece of tempered glass, so with just a glance, they could see the night sky. During the day, they could press a button on the wall to move a wooden panel that would block the glass and dim the room’s light.

Ella lifted her eyes as well, lying next to Eric, gazing at the stars.

Eric reached for her hand, interlocking their fingers, his lips curving into a playful smile. "My Queen, if we can still watch the stars together when we’re old, that would be perfect."

Ella smiled softly, nuzzling her cheek against his arm. "We will. I’ll stay with you until we’re old, as long as you don’t have any wandering eyes."

Eric laughed teasingly, "What do you mean by ’wandering eyes’?"

Ella pouted slightly. "Men are like that. You’re territorial and possessive. One day, if you get tired of me and meet someone new, you wouldn’t be tempted? That’s what I mean by wandering eyes. Look at how many men, after getting rich, forget the wives who stood by them through everything."

Like Sean, like Robert—there were countless men who fit that description.

Eric gently stroked her hair, his gaze tender. "Silly girl, how could you compare me to other men?"

Ella snorted, "Then prove it with your actions!"

"Want me to prove it by taking you again?" he teased.

"Get lost! Prove it by staying loyal to me for decades!"

"Well... that’s a bit tough. There’s this new artist at LXL who’s got a fresh, delicate vibe, completely different from you. I just remembered her..."

"You wouldn’t dare!"

"Queen... don’t twist my ear, it hurts!"

"That’s for lying to me, for trying to deceive me, for being unfaithful!" Ella grinned mischievously, "If you ever betray me, I’ll..."

Her hand formed into a knife as she dramatically aimed it toward his lower region.

Of course, her hand didn’t land on Eric’s most vulnerable area but instead struck his thigh. He winced, unable to hide his exasperation at his overly jealous little wife.

Eric pulled Ella close, hugging her tightly. "Ella, don’t worry. Even if I die one day, my heart will never change..."

Ella quieted down, snuggling into his embrace as they gazed at the stars together.

In this world, nothing is truly guaranteed, she thought. Even the stars, which are said to be eternal, might fall from the sky one day.

So, she resolved to cherish every moment with Eric, making an effort not to argue over trivial things. After all, apart from the disagreement they had about Charles, there hadn’t been any serious conflicts between them.

Eric didn’t say anything more. Silently, he held Ella’s hand as they watched the moon and stars in peaceful companionship.

As sleep gradually overtook her, Ella’s eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she drifted off.

Eric held his beloved close, though sleep eluded him at first. Eventually, after the calm of the night remained undisturbed, he allowed himself to relax, holding Ella as he too slipped into slumber.

However, Eric soon found himself trapped in a nightmare.

In the dream, he was walking through a vast golden desert under a scorching sun. His throat was parched, and though he desperately wanted water, he had already run out.

Up ahead, Ella suddenly collapsed. A sharp pain struck Eric’s heart as he rushed to her side, shaking her gently. "Ella, what’s wrong? Wake up, honey!"

But Ella’s face was ghostly pale, and Eric’s heart nearly stopped. In the nightmare, he felt tears rolling down his face as he scooped her up and began running frantically. "Somebody help! We need an ambulance! Hurry!"

But the world around him darkened. The road disappeared, the village vanished, and everyone around them was gone. All that remained was Eric—alone, clutching Ella in his arms.

Then, to his horror, Ella vanished.

Eric, now in a state of panic, ran wildly. Soon, he saw flames in the distance. Ella was lying in the fire, her beautiful hair beginning to burn.

"No!" Eric screamed, bolting upright from the nightmare, heart racing.

But something was wrong.

Thick smoke was billowing around them, and flames were rising from below the treehouse. Eric barely had time to wipe the tears from his eyes, realizing with a shock that he had actually cried during the nightmare. Worse still, it was no longer just a dream.

The fire had spread to the outside of the window, and the structure was beginning to shake. The acrid smell of gasoline mixed with the stench of burning wood. This wasn’t an accident—someone had deliberately set the fire.

Without wasting a second, Eric grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around Ella, who had just woken up, coughing violently from the thick smoke.

As Ella regained her senses, she realized what was happening. Eric was already carrying her toward the flaming window.

"Fire! We’re on fire!" Ella screamed, her eyes tearing up from the smoke. Panic surged inside her—how could they escape from such an intense blaze? What was Eric thinking, trying to run through the flames?

She realized that he had wrapped her in the blanket to protect her from the fire and smoke. Overcome with emotion, Ella’s heart ached, but she steeled herself, knowing she had to stay strong. She pulled the blanket tighter around her nose and mouth, determined not to let Eric’s effort go to waste.

In one swift motion, Eric leaped through the flaming window, jumping down from the treehouse.

Luckily, the treehouse wasn’t too high, so the fall wasn’t life-threatening.

By now, the fire had alerted the other guests. Shouts and screams filled the air. "Fire! There’s a fire! Wake up, everyone! Get out, quickly!"

The shrill cries of children and the terrified yells of adults rang in their ears as Ella and Eric hit the ground hard.