[Dubbed] The Forgotten Fire

Ruby Lane was widowed young and raised her daughter Rose Lim alone, later choosing Jack Lake as her son-in-law. On the night before All Souls' Day, Rose Lim rushed out to meet her first love, William Schuman, forgetting to turn off the stove and causing a house fire. While Ruby Lane tried to save the home, Rose Lim stayed out all night playing mahjong with William Schuman, believing Jack Lake was lying to her. Disappointed, Ruby Lane left her inheritance to Jack Lake instead. On her deathbed, their daughter Susan begged for a story, but Rose Lim blocked Jack's calls. Later, Rose Lim realized her mistakes—snatching a child's picture book in the street, frantically...

[Dubbed] The Forgotten Fire

Ruby Lane was widowed young and raised her daughter Rose Lim alone, later choosing Jack Lake as her son-in-law. On the night before All Souls' Day, Rose Lim rushed out to meet her first love, William Schuman, forgetting to turn off the stove and causing a house fire. While Ruby Lane tried to save the home, Rose Lim stayed out all night playing mahjong with William Schuman, believing Jack Lake was lying to her. Disappointed, Ruby Lane left her inheritance to Jack Lake instead. On her deathbed, their daughter Susan begged for a story, but Rose Lim blocked Jack's calls. Later, Rose Lim realized her mistakes—snatching a child's picture book in the street, frantically...

The kettle’s been screaming for minutes, but no one’s home to turn it off. I know this because I’m outside, laughing too loud over a mahjong tile, William’s hand warm on my knee. My phone buzzes—Jack again. I silence it. Let him worry. The house is fine. Ruby’s tough. She’ll handle it.

But then the sirens come. Not one, but three. Red lights flash against the fog, painting the street in pulses of emergency. My chest locks. I run, heels snapping on wet pavement. Halfway there, my phone rings—Jack, voice raw: 'It’s gone, Rose. The house… your mom… she tried to save the photos. The kitchen exploded. She’s in ICU.'

I freeze. The tiles, the laughter, William’s lies—it all curdles in my gut. I should’ve answered. I should’ve been there.

Now, standing before the charred frame of my childhood home, I face a choice: go to the hospital and face what I’ve done… or walk away and let the ashes bury the truth.