He Told Me They Were Dead

The house was on fire with my parents inside when I called my husband for help.

His voice was unnervingly calm. Dont be so dramatic, Sienna.
The power was out. Stella was just being thoughtful, dropping off some candles for them.
Its probably just the candlelight flickering, he said. Youre far away. Youre seeing things.

My voice trembled. Its real! The flames have already

He cut me off, his tone like ice. If they get themselves killed playing with candles, thats their own damn fault.

In utter despair, I raced to the scene, meeting the rescue crews there. What we found were two bodies, charred beyond recognition, blackened silhouettes against the smoldering ruins of my childhood home.

I saw Stella standing a short distance away and screamed, pointing a shaking finger. You! You did this! Youre a murderer!

My husband, Grant, lunged at me, his hand connecting with my cheek in a vicious slap.

What the hell is wrong with you! he snarled, pulling Stella behind him protectively. His eyes were cold, vicious. If you want to blame someone, blame your useless parents for not having the brains to get out of a simple fire! He looked down at Stella, his voice softening. Stellas already traumatized by this disgusting scene, and youre here making false accusations. You owe her a million dollars for emotional damages!

Just then, my phone rang.

I answered, my hand shaking so hard I could barely hold it. My mothers familiar voice came through the line.

You silly girl, did you forget your brothers birthday? Were all waiting for you. Finish up whatever youre doing and get over here.

In the background, I could hear my fathers cheerful laugh. Drive safe, sweetheart!

I froze, the world tilting on its axis. The phone nearly slipped from my grasp.

If my parents were at my brothers house

Then who were the two people who had just burned to death inside my home?

1

I stared at the two charred bodies on the ground, about to step closer to try and identify them. Grant grabbed my arm, his eyes filled with revulsion.

Sienna, theyre charcoal. Are you really going to touch that? How disgusting can you be?

Leaning against his chest, Stella immediately covered her mouth and made an exaggerated gagging sound.

A chilling coldness spread from my heart through my entire body. Those were two human lives, and to them, they were nothing more than repulsive garbage.

The hushed whispers of the neighbors reached my ears.

Does she have any shame? The fire trucks were here twenty minutes ago, but her car was blocking the fire lane. Thats what held up the rescue!

The worst part is, she doesn't have a scratch on her, but she just sat on the ground crying that her legs were too weak to move the car. And the guy was even worse! Instead of moving the damn car, he was too busy comforting her, just watching the flames get bigger and bigger

It was awful you could hear them screaming for help inside. The firefighters couldnt get through. They were burned alive

Every word was a hammer blow to my soul.

I trembled with rage, pointing at Grant. You monster! Those were two people in there! You just let them die!

He was utterly unapologetic. Stella was having a panic attack! Was I supposed to just leave her there? Besides, I didnt start the fire. What does it have to do with me? His voice dripped with scorn. Sienna, the only reason youre on this moral high horse is because you think it was your parents who died.

They were too incompetent to watch a single candle. They were asking for it. Who else is there to blame?

This man, whom my parents had treated like their own son for five years, could say something so cruel after hearing of their deaths.

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. Are you even human!

Stella cried out, jumping in front of him. Her voice was thick with manufactured tears.

Sienna, please, its all my fault she sobbed. I was just trying to be helpful, bringing them candles for the blackout. How was I supposed to know theyd be so careless theyd burn themselves alive? I wanted to save them, I really did, but Ive always been terrified of fire. My legs just gave out

If youre angry, hit me! Dont hurt Grant! If you cant forgive me, then then Ill go in there and pay for it with my life!

She made a show of trying to run into the smoldering wreckage. Watching her pathetic performance, a dark part of me wished shed actually do itthat she would pay the price for the lives that were lost.

But Grant was too quick. He swept her into his arms, holding her tight.

Stella, youre too good. It was their own damn fault. How could this ever be on you?

I was done with them. I walked over to a police officer.

Officer, Im the homeowner, Sienna Hale. Have you determined the cause of the fire? And have the victims been identified?

Before I could finish, Grants sharp voice cut through the air.

Sienna! When are you going to stop? he snapped. I already signed the incident report. Its in black and white: accidental fire. And as for Stellas car blocking the fire lane, I signed a waiver on your behalf. Just drop it.

His tone softened slightly, laced with a kind of patronizing pity.

Look, I know this is hard for you. Ive already had my assistant select the best burial plots. Consider it a condolence gift from me for the loss of your parents. Let them rest in peace.

2

I could barely breathe. The man who once cherished me was now twisting the truth, all for Stella.

Grant, this is my house that burned down! What right do you have to sign anything on my behalf? My voice rose. And more importantly, the people who died in there were not my parents! So on whose authority do you forgive Stella?

Grant looked at me as if Id told the worlds greatest joke and let out a short, sharp laugh.

Sienna, have you lost your mind? At this time of night, your parents would have been in the kitchen making me dinner. If it wasnt them, who else could it be?

Stella, right on cue, reddened her eyes. Shes right, Sienna. The fire chief had Grant and me identify some personal effects earlier. The watch on the male victims wrist, the jade bracelet on the females they were the ones your parents wore every day. Theres no mistake.

I pulled out my phone, ready to call my parents and prove them wrong.

Grant snatched it from my hand, threw it to the ground, and crushed it under his heel.

Sienna, are you deaf? Theyre dead! How long are you going to keep this up?

Shaking with fury, I turned back to the police officer.

Officer, please, I begged, I swear to you as the homeowner, the victims are not my parents. You can call them right now to verify it. My voice grew firm. Two strangers died in my home. I have to know who they really are.

Seeing my conviction, the officer took down my parents number and dialed.

But the phone that had rung just minutes ago now met a cold, continuous busy signal.

A flicker of triumph, almost imperceptible, crossed Stellas face.

Sienna, I know its hard to accept that theyre gone but you cant make things difficult for everyone. How do you expect the officer to bring your parents back to life?

I ignored her, insisting that the police open a formal investigation. The officer, realizing something was amiss, gave me a solemn promise.

Well send the remains to the medical examiner for DNA analysis immediately, he said. Please come with us to the station to cooperate with the investigation.

After giving my DNA sample at the station, I went straight to the morgue. My breath caught in my throat when I saw the evidence tray. There was the old watch, engraved with my fathers name, and the jade bracelet with its tiny, familiar hairline crack.

These two items my parents truly never took them off.

This was getting stranger and stranger.

Who broke into my house, put on my parents most personal belongings, and died in a fire?

As my mind reeled, the door swung open and Stella walked in.

Under the stark, fluorescent lights, the two charred bodies looked even more gruesome. She took one look and couldn't stop herself from dry heaving.

Grant immediately pulled her into his arms, covering her eyes. Dont look. Its filthy.

Stella, however, put on a pained expression.

Its all my fault If I hadnt brought those candles, they wouldnt have died. I should be the one to apologize to them

She suddenly looked up at me, the light catching a defiant glint in her eyes.

But then again, with an IQ like that, they were just wasting oxygen. Their dying was probably a public service. Dont you think, Grant?

Even though I knew they weren't my parents, her callous disregard for human life made the rage in my stomach boil over.

I lunged forward and slapped her hard across the face.

Two human lives, and they mean nothing to you? I snarled. You want to apologize? Fine. Ill kill you right now and you can apologize to them in hell.

I moved to strike her again, but Grant grabbed my wrist. His eyes were devoid of any warmth, only a chilling warning.

Sienna, dont push your luck.

At the end of the day, it was your parents own incompetence. They burn the house down with a candle and die for it. They got what they deserved. Why should Stella take the blame?

Seeing him defend her so fiercely, I felt a wave of nausea.

I looked him straight in the eye, my voice perfectly calm. Grant, lets get a divorce.

He was clearly taken aback for a second, then a mocking sneer spread across his face.

What, youre trying to threaten me with a divorce? You really think too highly of yourself. He squared his shoulders. Stella just moved back. Shes about to launch her new design line, and she cant be associated with any negative press. You want a divorce? Not until you agree to drop this whole fire thing. Forget it.

With that, he wrapped his arm around Stella and they walked out.

As I watched their retreating figures, the last ember of love I had for him finally died out.

3

Determined to stay on top of the case, I spent a miserable night curled up on a bench at the police station.

The next morning, however, an officer informed me that the case was already closed.

Just as Grant had said, the fire was officially ruled an accident. He had already signed the paperwork and taken custody of the two bodies that were burned beyond recognition.

Grant for Stella, he was willing to trample all over the law.

A surge of fury shot through me. I drove straight to Harrison Corp.

Grant showed no surprise at my arrival. He calmly slid a credit card across his desk toward me.

Here. Compensation for you, he said with a smirk. You should really thank Stella. She has such a kind heart, she insisted on giving you ten thousand.

I stared at the card, utterly bewildered. Stella, kind-hearted? Impossible.

Grant lifted his chin contemptuously. Stella arranged an afterlife partnership for your parents.

The intermediary paid her a hundred-thousand-dollar finders fee. Its a joyous occasion, after all, and she thought you, as their daughter, should share in the good fortune. See how generous she is?

My voice trembled. You sold their bodies?!

Stella smiled sweetly, picked up the card, and tried to press it into my clenched fist.

Sienna, on your parents special day you should take this. Consider it the last thing they can give you.

I slapped the card out of her hand and onto her face, my voice a raw scream.

Stella, you soulless monster! Making money off the bones of the dead! Arent you afraid of being struck by lightning?

Employees began to gather, their whispers filling the air.

Why is the Design Director fighting with someone? That woman keeps hiding behind the CEO. Is she the other woman?

I heard there was a fire at her house last night. Her parents died. The bodies shes talking about are they her parents?

Oh my god, is Mr. Harrison insane? Not only is he flaunting his mistress, but he let her sell his wifes parents remains? Thats inhuman!

Hearing the escalating accusations, Stellas face went from flushed to pale.

Suddenly, she dropped to her knees with a thud, slapping her own face as she wailed.

Sienna, I was wrong! I shouldnt have spent so much time with Grant just because I wanted to repay his kindness I let you misunderstand our relationship

And I shouldnt have brought candles to the house when the power was out. But I swear, I didnt know your parents were mentally unwell. I never thought they would burn themselves alive with a candle.

She looked up, her eyes swimming in tears, her voice growing more earnest.

As for the afterlife partnership your mother told me about it herself, before she passed. She said she was forced into an arranged marriage with your father and never got over her first love.

She couldnt be with him in life, so I just wanted to grant her that happiness in death! she cried. And once she had found her partner, I couldnt just leave your father all alone, could I? So I took the liberty of finding a match for him, too I consulted a spiritualist. They are both perfect pairings!

Grant immediately rushed to help her up, his face grim as he turned on me.

Sienna, you are so ungrateful! Its a fact that your mother was in love with someone else. Stella was trying to do a good thing, and you not only refuse to thank her, you attack her?

Stellas cheeks were now red and swollen, making her look exceptionally pitiful. With Grant backing her up, the crowds opinion began to shift.

The director is being way too aggressive. The poor girl just sees Mr. Harrison as a brother, and shes being accused of being a homewrecker!

And her own mother was unfaithful, pining for another man. Miss Stella tries to honor her last wish and gets treated like this? Thats just cruel!

I was shaking with rage. Stella was smearing my mothers name with disgusting lies.

I lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and slammed her head against the wall.

Seeing this, Grant kicked me hard, sending me sprawling to the floor. His voice was glacial.

You bitch. Who gave you permission to touch her?

I have only ever seen Stella as a sister, nothing more. But you, with your narrow, jealous mind, have constantly harassed her. Now your own parents get themselves killed, and you try to pin the blame on her.

I see Ive been too lenient with you. If I dont teach you a lesson today, youll never learn. He straightened his suit. Security! Get her out of here. Tie her to the flagpole out front until shes ready to reflect on what shes done.

Just then, a familiar, anxious voice cut through the crowd.

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