Chapter 1 - The Escape
The blinding pain in my neck and jaw was sharp enough to blur my vision.
I stumbled backward, my hand flying up to cover my blistering skin.
Eleanor just stood there, her arms crossed, waiting for me to submit.
Chloe finally blinked, stepping back as if she was afraid the mess would ruin her designer shoes.
I did not scream, and I did not cry.
A chilling, terrifying calm washed over my entire body.
I looked at the woman who gave birth to me, finally seeing the absolute monster hiding beneath her skin.
Without saying a single word, I turned on my heel and walked straight toward the front door.
"If you walk out that door, do not ever come back!" Eleanor shrieked at the top of her lungs.
"Leave the car keys on the counter, you ungrateful brat!" Chloe added, her voice shrill and demanding.
I ignored them both, gripping the heavy brass doorknob with trembling fingers.
I stepped out into the freezing rain, the icy water instantly soothing the burns on my neck.
I climbed into my SUV, locked the doors, and slammed my foot on the gas pedal.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I sped down the dark, slick suburban streets.
I needed a hospital, but more importantly, I needed a safe place to hide.
I pulled into the emergency room parking lot, my hands shaking so violently I could barely put the car in park.
The triage nurse took one look at my raw, peeling skin and rushed me straight into a private room.
As the doctor applied soothing burn cream and heavy bandages, my phone started buzzing relentlessly.
It was a barrage of text messages from Chloe, demanding the passwords to the bistro's social media accounts.
They did not care if I was horribly disfigured or dead.
They only cared about the money and the access I provided.
I turned my phone off completely and stared at the sterile white ceiling of the hospital room.
My father had trusted them, and they had destroyed him.
I made a silent vow right then and there.
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I was not just going to walk away and let them take his legacy.
I was going to burn their entire stolen empire right to the ground.
