My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1230

If Isabella’s mom had really looked, really thought about it, she might have noticed that Isabella’s dress, though dirty, wasn’t nearly as grimy as Beatty’s clothes. She might have wondered how her own daughter, pampered since birth and unused to lifting anything heavier than a teacup, could have carried Andrew out of a burning house. Or how Isabella could have even known there was a back door at the lodge. The truth was, only Beatty—who’d grown up doing chores and knew every corner of the place—could have pulled that off.

When the fire broke out, Beatty was outside, crouched down and washing vegetables. She froze for a moment, just a little kid clutching a dripping handful of greens, not sure what to do. Then someone shouted that there was still a boy inside. Beatty instantly pictured him—the boy with the striking face and quiet confidence. She knew right away which room was his.

She didn’t hesitate. Dropping the vegetables, she dumped the basin of water over herself, then ran straight into the burning building as her mother shouted after her. The smoke was thick, stinging her eyes and throat, so she yanked her shirt up over her mouth and nose, stumbling through the haze until she reached Andrew’s room. With hands shaking, she fished the spare key out from under the rug and opened the door. Andrew was still asleep, completely unaware of the chaos. Beatty didn’t say a word, just slung him onto her back and started for the exit.

She quickly realized the front was blocked by fire. Thinking fast, she took the shortcut she remembered from helping around the lodge, carrying Andrew out through the back door.

Outside, she spotted Isabella and Amelia standing by the back entrance, peering around nervously. Their eyes widened when they saw Andrew on Beatty’s back.

Beatty walked over, silent as ever, and handed Andrew off to them, then turned to go without saying a word.

Isabella and Amelia stared in confusion, holding Andrew between them, until Isabella called out, “Wait.”

Beatty paused, soaked to the skin and streaked with soot. The only thing clear on her face was the brightness in her eyes. “What is it? I need to finish washing the vegetables. I don’t really have time to chat.”

Isabella hesitated, then asked, “What’s your name?”

Beatty blinked, then grinned, showing off two rows of perfect white teeth. “Beatty. Or you can just call me Lulu. That’s my nickname.” Her voice rang out, loud and cheerful, as if she was proud of her name.

They turned to see Beatty grinning, sunlight catching in her hair.

“Andrew Lane,” Amelia blurted, not bothering to explain the spelling. Then she turned and helped Isabella carry Andrew off to find the adults.

Andrew had slept through being carried by Beatty, but when Isabella took over, he finally woke up. Naturally, he assumed it was Isabella who’d saved him.

That’s how the whole misunderstanding started. Andrew believed Isabella Austin was his hero, and Isabella never corrected him. She just quietly accepted all the gratitude and attention that came with being a lifesaver, even though it wasn’t her. Amelia, too young to understand at first, realized later it was a lie—a lie to her own brother. But by then, it was too late. She and Isabella had been friends forever, and Beatty was just the staff’s daughter—someone they’d probably never see again. So Amelia kept the secret and helped Isabella hold onto a debt that was never really hers.