Chapter 16 Amy Garcia woke in the hospital to rain tapping against the window . Staring at the ceiling , the sharp pain from her abdominal wound confirmed she was alive . Edward Allen sat by her bed . Seeing her eyes open , he immediately leaned forward to grasp her hand , his voice raspy . " Amy ... " She gently withdrew her hand , gaze calmly fixed on the rain - streaked glass . " Where is he ? " Edward's eyes darkened . " Taken by police . Suspected assault . " Amy closed her eyes , silent . Three days after discharge , she went directly to the villa Ethan Johnson had gifted her . The property remained frozen in their pre - marital state - roses in the garden grew wild and untamed . Standing in the living room , she traced fingers over the dust - covered piano - Ethan had personally chosen it , promising lessons he never gave . Their wedding photo still sat on the table : her radiant smile contrasting his tender embrace , hand resting possessively on her waist . Amy lifted the frame , fingers trembling slightly . ་ ་ " Garcia ... " Ethan's voice came from behind . She didn't turn . " How'd you get out ? " " Bail . " His voice scraped like unused hinges . Amy gave a hollow laugh , tossed the photo into the fireplace , then pulled a gasoline canister from her bag . 10:23 Chapter 16 Ethan's pupils contracted violently . He lunged , grabbing her wrist . " What are you doing ?! " She met his gaze , eyes cold as ice . " Burning it . " " No ! " His voice shook . " This is our- " " We stopped being ' us ' long ago . " She wrenched free , splashing gasoline across sofas , curtains , floors without hesitation . Ethan stood paralyzed , face ghostly pale as if his soul had been ripped out . The lighter clicked . Flame danced at her fingertips . " Watch closely , Ethan . " She dropped it . Fire devoured the room . Heat blasted their faces . Ethan collapsed to his knees , raw scream tearing through smoke . " Garcia ! Don't ! " Amy stood before the inferno , silhouette absolute . " Now . You'll finally let go . " Back overseas , Amy immersed herself in painting . Ethan still followed . He stood at her gallery entrance , dusty and exhausted , dark circles under his eyes , clutching withered jasmine . Amy stared icily . " What more do you want ? " Ethan's voice grated . " Your paintings ... I saw them . " Her knuckles whitened . " Every piece - our past . " His smile twisted bitterly . " You never forgot , Garcia . " Inside the gallery , his sandpaper voice echoed : 10:23 Chapter 16 : 288 Vouchers " You can lie to others . Not to yourself . " Amy frowned . " Meaning ? " Ethan gestured at the canvases . " Your brushstrokes betray you . Every landscape - places we visited . Every bouquet - flowers I gave you . That occan - our honeymoon cove . " She froze , lightning - struck , eyes darting across the walls . Every landscape captured their shared travel memories . Every bouquet echoed their entangled history . The ocean mirrored their honeymoon shores . She'd believed herself free . All along , she'd been fooling herself . Her brush had long betrayed her . She was trapped in memories , never truly escaped . That's why she could never accept Edward . That's why she kept dreaming of the past . Amy suddenly grabbed the palette knife beside her , pointing at Ethan : " Get out . " Ethan stepped closer instead , advancing toward her . " You burned the villa , burned the photos , but you can't burn memories . " " You hate me because you still care . " Amy gasped sharply , then suddenly laughed . " Fine , I'll burn the memories too . " She turned and grabbed a lighter , igniting the gallery curtains without hesitation . Flames shot up instantly , devouring all her paintings . When Edward rushed in , the entire gallery was engulfed . 10:23 Chapter 16 5 : 0 " Sophia ! Get out now ! " He seized her wrist . But Amy shook him off , standing in the firelight , staring at Ethan . " Are you satisfied now ? " Ethan stood frozen as tears finally fell . " Amy ... " Amy turned toward the heart of the inferno . Edward pulled her back desperately . " Have you lost your mind ?! " Amy looked back at him , eyes empty . " Edward , I've been trapped too long ... " The flames swallowed her voice . 10:23