The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot
Chapter 146: Final Goodbye

Chapter 146: Final Goodbye

When the fire started at the back of the van just a minute ago, Rita’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly held Evelyn tightly as they stumbled back, smoke filling their nostrils.

Both women stared at the raging fire, its reflection in their wide, terrified eyes. Smoke filled the van, stinging their eyes and suffocating them, while their bodies pressed closer in fear. Now they were trapped between the blazing inferno and the frenzied mob outside, each threat equally deadly.

"Shit!" Rita cursed in Italian. The flames were closing in fast; if they didn’t escape in the next few minutes, they would be burnt alive, completely engulfed by the van. Even their remains wouldn’t survive a cremation, the fire was that terrifying.

"Oh, we’re doomed!" Rita murmured as the fire crept closer, the door too far to reach. She hurried back, leaving Evelyn clinging tightly to the driver’s seat.

She could break open the emergency exit at the driver’s window with a few forceful kicks. As the glass and metal frame began to give way, she threw open the door and grabbed Evelyn’s arm.

"Ma’am, jump!" she screamed, forcefully pushing Evelyn out in a desperate attempt to save her.

And just as the glass was seconds from shattering, Rita leaped out too, landing painfully on the ground. Reaching for Evelyn, she quickly rolled them both away from the van as it exploded like a bomb.

The smoke was thick, and most officers were busy trying to contain the fire, so none noticed Rita’s life-saving escape.

Rita sat up, shielding Evelyn and hugging her tightly as remnants of the blast lightly struck them. A sigh escaped her lips—they were alive. As long as they could still breathe, it was enough.

"Thank you, Rita," Evelyn murmured, hugging the brave woman tightly. Though both were hurt, with burns and scrapes from the fall, they shared the same thought: as long as they were alive, it was fine.

Tears slipped from Rita’s eyes for an inexplicable reason. She had faced death many times without shedding a tear, but the relief that Evelyn was safe made her emotional.

"Oh no! Look, they’re alive!" shouted someone from the crowd. The four-member group standing nearby could clearly see Rita and Evelyn as the smoke cleared, thanks to the officers’ efforts.

"She’s alive!" one of Matteo’s men muttered in surprise. The group quickly moved to the other side of the van.

Matteo scanned the area, eyes darting around. When he saw Rita’s back, he sighed with relief. Leaving the van to the officers, he quickly rushed over, followed by his men.

"Are you alright?" Matteo asked, squatting beside the two women. Rita released Evelyn slowly, turning away so he wouldn’t see her tears. They were both injured, but he was grateful they were safe—and alive.

Luckily, firefighters arrived just in time, soon followed by Zevian and his team. Paramedics attended to the officers with mild injuries, and doctors sent by Zevian rushed over to the two women surrounded by Montedoro officers.

"Ian!" Evelyn called, spotting him through the smoke. Her vision was blurry, but the way he ran told her it was him.

Zevian quickly reached her, squatting down and pulling her into a tight hug. His heart had stopped when he first saw the van exploding.

"Ugh," Evelyn groaned in pain, and Zevian instantly loosened his grip, his eyes glistening with worry.

"Let’s get her to the hospital! It’s dangerous to stay here a minute longer," Matteo suggested, glancing at the chaos. The fire was being extinguished, but the crowd could turn violent again.

Zevian nodded, carefully lifting Evelyn into his arms. He glanced at Brandon, who nodded, calling the nearest hospital to prepare for her arrival.

"Damn it!" Rita cursed, wincing at the pain in her leg. She couldn’t stand, but Matteo stepped in, concern in his brows as he picked her up, making her yelp.

"Put me down!"

"Quiet," Matteo scolded in Italian, his glare silencing her. Adjusting her in his arms, he followed Zevian.

"What now?" one of Matteo’s men asked, speaking in their language. The group looked on, dumbfounded as they watched their leaders carry off the women. Left with no options, they followed with collective sighs.

---

[A Few Hours Later]

Evelyn awoke slowly from a deep slumber, haunted by a nightmare of Annabelle and Gracia cursing her in a dark room.

"You killed us!"

"You’re a murderer, Evelyn. Accept it! Let us rest in peace!"

"I gave you a good life, Bunny. And this is how you repay me?"

Their voices grew louder, echoing inside her mind, the blame too much for her heart to bear alone.

With a gasp, Evelyn sat up, sweat trickling down her forehead. Tears she’d held back slipped free as she opened her eyes, her hand clutching tightly to something grounding her back to reality.

"Are you alright?" Zevian’s worried voice broke through her haze. Evelyn looked at him, her eyes wide and still moist with confusion.

Evelyn nodded slowly, releasing her hold on him. He helped her lean back against the headrest before pouring her a glass of water.

"Here, drink." Zevian passed the glass. Evelyn took it, her hand trembling as she sipped the water. When she was done, he took back the glass and gently wiped her sweaty face with a towel.

"Where are we?" Evelyn asked, still disoriented. The last thing she remembered was Zevian carrying her toward what looked like a helicopter.

"We’re at the military hospital," Zevian replied, brushing her cheeks and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Uncle Theodore arranged it."

Evelyn nodded, breathing a deep sigh. She held Zevian’s hand as he sat beside her. Silence filled the room until Rita hobbled in, followed by Matteo.

"Oh, thank goodness! You’re safe!" Rita exclaimed, clutching a cane as she limped closer to Evelyn.

Evelyn felt a pang in her chest, tears forming again. Because of her, this brave woman had suffered so much, and an apology wouldn’t begin to cover it.

Before they could speak, Lucius rushed into the room. Relief flashed on his face at seeing Evelyn, but his expression quickly shifted to one of worry, as if another disaster was looming.

"They’re holding the funeral early tomorrow," he announced, his tone tense. "No visitors allowed, and Annabelle’s fans are asked to respect the family’s wishes for privacy."

Zevian frowned. The Wrights’ haste with Annabelle’s funeral arrangements seemed odd. Privacy was understandable, but why rush when an autopsy was still needed?

"Take me there," Evelyn demanded, surprising everyone.

"No, Ma’am! Now isn’t the right time to visit them." Rita was the first to object, and Lucius nodded in agreement.

"If I don’t go, it will look like I’m confirming their accusations by staying silent," Evelyn replied, her tone icy. Then, softening with emotion, she added, "I need to pay my last respects, too."

Lucius glanced at Zevian, seeking his decision. Evelyn had a point, but they’d need to be prepared for drama and danger if they went.

"Fine," Zevian agreed with a sigh. Annabelle had once been part of Evelyn’s life, and she couldn’t let her go without one last goodbye. Turning to Lucius, he added, "Make the arrangements."