Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 72

“My wife, our child, and I came by the fire station to find you after that incident, but you weren’t there,” Howard’s voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, his eyes glistening. “I think you must have been out on another rescue mission. Still, I promised myself I’d repay you for what you did one day. And tonight… tonight feels like that moment has finally come.”

His heartfelt words stirred something deep within me, unlocking a memory I had almost forgotten.

I had been nearby when the fire erupted. Off duty, I wore no uniform, carried no gear, and had no team at my side. I called the station to alert them and helped evacuate the people inside the building. While waiting for backup and watching the flames consume the structure, I noticed a young man pacing frantically, tears streaming down his face as he tried repeatedly to rush inside.

Alarmed, I grabbed his arm firmly. “Are you out of your mind?” I demanded.

“My wife!” he cried desperately. “She’s still inside! She’s pregnant! They’re all inside! Someone, please—save them!” His voice was raw with panic, as if possessed by fear.

A pregnant woman… There was no time to hesitate. The fire roared with brutal intensity, and two lives hung in the balance.

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Stay here. I’ll get them out.”

With that, I plunged into the inferno.

It turned out to be a good day, against all odds. I managed to find her and bring her to safety.

When I emerged holding the woman, the man collapsed to his knees, sobbing with relief. He thanked me over and over, but I was too drained to respond.

‘So that young man was Howard,’ I thought, piecing it together.

“I remember now,” I said, looking him over carefully. “I was just doing my job. How are your wife and child?”

Ezra, likely too drunk to notice the shift in his brother-in-law’s tone, shouted, “Don’t let him go, Howard! He’s just a firefighter! Who gave him the right to insult me?”

“So what if he did?” Howard roared back, his foot connecting with Ezra hard enough to send him sprawling across the floor.

Ezra screamed but tried to mask the pain. Staring at Howard in disbelief, he spat, “Why?! You kicked me! Your own brother-in-law—for some firefighter?!”

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” Howard replied, crouching down to Ezra’s level. “You’ve always needed a lesson, and now you’re finally getting one.”

He slapped Ezra’s cheeks several times, each strike sharp and deliberate. “Let’s see if you still dare slander the innocent and noble-hearted after I’m done with you.”