Chapter 22 The Fire Started

After dinner, Lawrence and Hazel were getting ready to head back.

Hazel glanced at the local news on her phone, her brows furrowing. "Lawrence, it looks like we can't go back tonight."

Lawrence looked puzzled. Hazel held her phone up to show him.

The interstate highway had collapsed due to heavy rain, and it would be closed until repairs were completed.

"Why don't you two stay here for the night? It's late, no need to rush," Louis suggested at the right moment. Lawrence thought for a moment and agreed.

Louis, who had a stake in the resort, grinned when Lawrence agreed. "Alright then, tonight's on me. I'll make sure you're well taken care of."

With a wave of his hand, Louis had someone arrange accommodations for them.

The villa they were given was small and exquisite, complete with a hot spring pool. Hazel pushed Lawrence inside and immediately liked the place.

After a long day, soaking in the hot spring would be incredibly relaxing.

Looking at the wheelchair, Hazel suggested, "Lawrence, how about a soak in the hot spring? I've heard it's good for your legs, and I can give you a leg massage while you're at it."

A strange look flashed in Lawrence's eyes. "No need. If you want to soak, go ahead. I have a meeting to attend."

Hazel didn't notice the odd look in Lawrence's eyes. "Alright then."

It was just as well. She could enjoy the hot spring alone.

Otherwise, it would be awkward to soak together.

Grabbing a bathrobe, Hazel headed to the hot spring. She hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time.

To escape the control of the Anderson family, she had to be extremely cautious.

She had to disguise her personality and revolve around Randy.

After Chloe passed away, her time at home was even more stressful than her days married to Lawrence.

Though she had to deal with Edith and Luna, who seemed to have a few screws loose, it was still easier than before.

At least she had someone on her side.

When Hazel finished soaking and came out, Lawrence had already washed up and was leaning against the headboard, continuing to work.

He truly was a busy man.

No matter where he was, he could always handle company matters.

Hearing movement, Lawrence looked up. "All done?"

"Yeah." Hazel nodded. She had thought they could sleep separately tonight, but it turned out the villa Louis arranged had only one bedroom.

"What's that smell? It's quite fragrant." Sniffing the air, Hazel asked.

The scent wasn't noticeable when they first came in, but now it was a bit stronger.

Lawrence sniffed too but didn't pay much attention. "Maybe someone sprayed perfume while cleaning earlier."

Hazel thought that made sense. She lifted the covers and got into bed, keeping some distance between them.

"Lawrence, are you and Louis close?" Hazel asked.

"Not particularly. Why do you ask?" Lawrence turned his head, his gaze falling on her simple yet beautiful face before looking away.

"Just curious, that's all." Hazel replied.

The hot spring had made her body feel soft and relaxed. She felt sleepy quickly. Seeing Lawrence still working, she mumbled sleepily. "Get some rest. Work never ends. Goodnight, honey."

"Goodnight." Lawrence's typing paused for a moment. He noticed Hazel was getting more comfortable using that term, especially when she got something out of it.

Seeing Hazel fall asleep quickly, Lawrence turned off the light and lay down.

Today had been unexpected. He hadn't brought his sleep aid, but tonight he felt unusually tired. Sleepiness spread through his body, and he couldn't help but close his eyes.

In the middle of the night, Hazel was jolted awake by a strong smell of smoke.

Seeing the scene before her, she sat up abruptly.

Realizing something was wrong, she instinctively reached for the bedside lamp, but it didn't work.

"Lawrence, wake up!" Turning on her phone's flashlight, Hazel tried to wake Lawrence.

Black smoke was seeping in from under the door, and there were crackling sounds outside as if something was burning. Her heart sank.

Was there a fire?

Forcing herself to stay calm, Hazel immediately called the resort's emergency number, but it would take time for staff to reach the villa area.

They had to find a way to save themselves. As she got out of bed, she realized she felt weak and dizzy.

Pinching her thigh hard, Hazel quickly went to the bathroom, wet a towel, and covered her mouth and nose. She then went back to the bed and covered Lawrence's nose with the wet towel.

That fragrance was suspicious!

The terrifying thought flashed through Hazel's mind. Lawrence wasn't a heavy sleeper. Normally, he would have woken up by now.

But now, no matter how much she called him, he didn't respond.

She didn't know how bad the fire was outside, but staying in the room was not an option.

She remembered the villa wasn't very high. She didn't know when help would arrive, so they had to escape.

Struggling to open the window, Hazel looked outside. It wasn't too high.

She could jump out alone, but she couldn't carry Lawrence, a grown man, out with her.

She had to take a risk.

Feeling increasingly dizzy, Hazel returned to drag Lawrence from the bed to the window. Fortunately, the windowsill was low.

Closing her eyes and steeling herself, Hazel pushed Lawrence out the window.

Flames were already licking through the door, casting a fiery glow in the room. Hazel threw their laptop and phones out the window and then jumped out herself.

After doing all this, she was exhausted and blacked out.

The fire had surrounded them, the scorching heat seemingly able to sear their skin. Hazel felt a wave of despair as the flames threatened to engulf them.

Were they really going to die here?

"No, run, Lawrence, run!" With a start, Hazel woke up, a thin layer of cold sweat on her forehead.

The air was filled with the faint smell of disinfectant. Hazel was disoriented for a moment, taking several seconds to realize where she was.

There was no fire, just doctors and nurses in white coats.

"Ms. Anderson, you're awake?" The doctor in front of her asked with concern.

Hazel sat there in a daze. "Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital, Ms. Anderson. You inhaled a lot of smoke and passed out. You've been unconscious for two days." The doctor answered.

Hazel's eyes widened, and she suddenly thought of someone else. "What about Lawrence? How is he?"

In the emergency, she had pushed the unconscious Lawrence out the window.

His legs were still injured. Did he get hurt?

"Don't worry, Ms. Anderson. Mr. Johnson has already recovered. He woke up before you did." The doctor said.

Hearing that Lawrence had woken up, Hazel felt relieved and asked. "And his legs?"

"Mr. Johnson's legs are fine, Ms. Anderson. Don't worry." The doctor replied.

After checking Hazel's condition, the doctor and nurse left.

Hazel's heart finally settled. She reached for her phone on the bedside table and turned it on. It had only ten percent battery left.

Apart from calls and messages from Kelly, no one else had contacted her in the past two days.