I sat on the edge of the bed, my head spinning. I couldn't help but wonder why Yvonne was out to destroy me when I was the one who saved her.

In the evening, Robert Warner—the coworker who brought my food—covertly handed me his phone. "You should take a look at the HOA group chat, Caleb," he said.

I checked the group chat, where over 300 residents were messaging rapidly. Yvonne had tagged the whole group and shared a photo, showing the gas valve wrapped in Scotch tape and some unknown materials. That wasn't the Teflon tape and sealant I had used back at her apartment.

Yvonne uploaded another photo of a long scratch across her marble countertop.

I recalled distinctly that I was very cautious while repairing the valve; I had even laid down a towel on the countertop for protection.

I knew then that she had falsified everything.

Yvonne began posting her tearful grievances in the group chat.

"Do you know what our neighborhood's 'hero' firefighter did? He burst into my home at midnight, claiming he'd help me with a gas leak. He butchered my imported piping from Gavonia that cost tens of thousands of dollars! Do you guys see what kind of junk he used to 'repair' my piping?

"You know, the gas company says the entire piping system is at risk, and everything must be replaced!

"He was very impatient when I told him to watch out. He left a huge scratch on my 30-thousand-dollar custom countertops! He even threw his weight around as a firefighter and threatened me when I confronted him about it!"

It was then that a member of the Homeowners Association, Tanya Weller, chimed in.

I immediately recognized that name. I had warned her multiple times after seeing how her construction waste had been blocking the fire escape last month. When she ignored me, I reported the matter to the property management and the fire inspector.

In the end, she was fined and forced to clean it up. She had held a grudge ever since then, and now she had finally found a way to retaliate.

"That's awful, Yvonne! He's completely out of line! How could he bully the residents just because he's a firefighter!"

In that instant, everyone in the group chat broke out into a flurry of discussion.

"Oh my! How could this firefighter act like a thug?"

"You really can't judge a book by its cover! I mean, he seems so decent and professional!"

"He's abusing his authority! He's on a power trip and needs to be dealt with!"

"You don't have to be scared of him, Yvonne. We've got your back! You must make him pay for the damages!"

Yvonne sent another message. "Thank you for the support, everyone! I'm not doing this for the money. I'm doing it to stand up for myself! If someone like this doesn't face consequences, there's no telling how many other neighbors he'll cause trouble for!

"He has already been placed under strict supervision by the fire department! That proves how serious this is! He'll get what he deserves soon enough!"

Tanya replied, "That's wonderful news! Those who use their professions to intimidate others deserve to be taught a lesson! The HOA firmly supports Ms. Cook in pursuing her legal rights until the very end!"

I watched them twist the truth and trembled in anger. I typed out several responses only to delete them one by one. After all, I realized that there was no point in arguing with people like that. I silently handed the phone back to Robert instead.

Yvonne sent another message. "He's gone completely silent because he knows he's guilty! He's not getting off the hook until he pays the 100-thousand-dollar compensation! He needs to pay dearly for this!"

I merely laughed in response, the sound echoing in the holding room.

I couldn't attend drill or training, and I wasn't allowed to contact anyone. I was completely isolated.

I wrote out my account of the events repeatedly, remembering every single detail from entering to leaving that night. I even recorded every tool I used, every move I made, and every word I said.

I was sure I had followed every emergency protocol to the letter. But compared to Yvonne's so-called evidence, my defense was useless.

I was visited twice by the investigation team.

There were two officials I didn't recognize, grilling me with sharp questions, their faces grim.

"Why did you take it upon yourself to handle the situation instead of reporting it at the first opportunity?"

"Do you have any proof of purchase for the Teflon tape and sealant you used?"

"Did the materials used meet the required fire safety specifications?"

"What's your explanation for the photos Ms. Cook provided?"

"Do you have any witnesses who can confirm you didn't damage her property while you were repairing the valve?"

I couldn't answer the question.

I had bought the tools myself for home use, so I didn't have any receipts. I had no one to witness what happened since Yvonne and I were the only ones in the apartment.

I was trapped in a corner because of Yvonne's evidence.

Meanwhile, Yvonne's campaign for "justice" gained momentum with the full backing of the HOA.

Tanya, acting in the name of the HOA, posted a notice on the community board. "Condemnation of Caleb Johnston, Owner of Unit 801 in Building 3, for Damaging Neighborhood Relations and Endangering Public Safety."

That notice was very jarring on the community board, its language harsh and unforgiving.

Mom and Dad somehow found out about what happened and called the station, prompting Fred to bring the phone to the entrance of the room where I was being held.

Mom was sobbing hysterically on the other end. "What on earth happened, Caleb? How could you bring such shame to this family? Your father is so upset that his heart condition is acting up!"

I held the phone, too choked up to talk. I was the one who had saved Yvonne, yet I was being punished for it. I couldn't help but wonder how my good intentions led to this.

…

It was three days later when the investigation team issued a preliminary assessment. They concluded that my unauthorized actions caused property loss and harmed the department's public image.

They recommended a formal reprimand on my record, the loss of all performance bonuses and awards for the year, and that I pay for part of Yvonne's claim. They also said that I would be suspended from duty to go home and wait for the final decision.

That document alone brought me profound shame.

…

I barely made it through the door of my apartment before a sound came from the hallway outside.

"There's a fire in Building 8!"

I bolted upright as the acrid smell of burning filtered through the doorway. I then heard a familiar scream. "Open the door, Caleb! Help me! There's a fire in my kitchen!"

Yvonne was yelling outside. She pounded frantically at my door, her voice hoarse and thick with tears. "I'm begging you, Caleb! You have to come out right now! It's a huge fire! I can't open the door since it's locked!

"You have to do something, Caleb! You're a firefighter! You can't just stand by and watch—that's intentional homicide!"

She kept shouting profanities, hurling every insult she could think of at me.

I could picture exactly how chaotic the scene was outside my door.

I was aware that the person asking for help was the very one who had pushed me into the abyss, but my instincts were built on breaching, firefighting, and rescue. I subconsciously rushed to the door, my hand already gripping the cold doorknob.

I was already running the rescue procedures in my head. I could break down that door in 15 seconds as long as I used my breaching tools.

I was just about to turn the doorknob when I recalled Mom's wailing from the phone call, condemning me for being a disgrace to the family.

I also remembered the image of the formal reprimand notice vividly, along with Tanya's message in the group chat about teaching a lesson to those who abused their power through their positions.

I gripped the doorknob so tightly that my knuckles actually paled.

Yvonne's cursing faded into pleas right outside the door. "I'm sorry, Caleb! I know it's all my fault! I was wrong to frame you! I don't want the compensation anymore! I'll apologize to you. I'll even get on my knees and grovel before you! I don't want to die, so please save me!"

Yvonne gave up on knocking and began ramming the door with her body.

I slowly let go of the doorknob and backed away from the door. I then took a breath and suppressed that last bit of my firefighter's impulse, stating calmly, "I'm sorry, Yvonne, but since you reported me, I'm currently on suspension and under house arrest.

"You see, in accordance with the disciplinary protocol, I'm not allowed to engage in any duty or carry out unauthorized operations. You'll have to wait for the other firemen and the firetrucks instead, Yvonne."