Chapter 3
“My phone…” Liam pointed at me, then turned to my mom.
“Auntie, I wanna play with her phone… heh heh.”
Aunt Karen slapped her thigh.
“Oh, that’s right, sis-take her phone.”
“Nowadays you can pay for everything with those things, which means she’s spending your money. Time she learned who runs this house.”
Mom’s eyes softened instantly when she looked at Liam.
You’re right.”
Before I could react, they yanked my phone right out of my hands.
By the time I made it to the nearest motel, it was past midnight.
No cash? Then no room!”
Get lost. No ID? We’re not getting sued over you.”
Move along, sweetheart. The park benches are that way.”
stumbled back out into the cold, no way to call for help.
That’s when a group of drunk lowlifes spotted me.
knew, right then, I was done.
They took turns violating me, torturing me until the sun came up.
When they sobered up and realized what they’d done, they decided to drown me to hide the evidence.
And just like that, my life was over-
While my family was still popping champagne, talking about where to buy a house, which private school Liam should attend, and what fancy restaurant they’d celebrate in.
I refuse to go out like that again.
14:44
Walgreens Notified Me About His ‘Plan R’ Purchase
So I Ungraded Him to ‘Plan Bankruptcy
71.49%
Chapter 3
I stared at the lottery ticket, tucking it safely into my pocket.
“Liam,” I cooed into the phone, “I’m gonna be home a little late ’cause I got you a gift.”
He yelled something in the background, but I kept my tone sweet.
“It’s a big surprise, buddy. You’re gonna love it.”
Thirty minutes later, I was breathless, standing at my own front door.
‘Amy, where the hell have you been?” Aunt Karen was already waiting.
School break and you’re still running around-where’d you go?”
Looking at her smug face, all I felt was pure hate.
he’d never worked a day in her life, always crying poor to my mom, threatening divorce just to get her way
And my mom? Ate it right up.
forced a smile, set my backpack down, and waved at Liam on the couch.
Hey, buddy. Come see what I got you.”
He lumbered over, all baby fat and swagger, and in passing lifted the hem of my skirt just to be a little creep
He giggled.
gritted my teeth and pulled a box from my bag.
The newest iPhone!” His eyes lit up like fireworks.
Well damn, you finally grew a brain, loser!”
That must’ve cost a lot…”
Mom walked over with a plate of pork roast, picked out a lean piece, and handed it to him.
‘Amy, where’d you get that kind of money? You didn’t go selling yourself, did you?”
Dad, silent until now, suddenly slammed the table.
“If you disgrace this family name, I’ll break your legs myself!”
Oh, so this gets him worked up.
71.79
Chapter 3
Not the beatings, not the insults-this.
I held out my arm, showing the burn scars.
“I’m at school all day. Then I work nights at a BBQ joint till two in the morning.”
Uncle Jake frowned at Liam playing on the floor.
‘He’s still a kid. Isn’t it a little much to buy him a phone already?”
smiled.
Liam’s smarter than most adults. Picks up on tech fast.” I ruffled his hair.
Here’s a tip-keep it in the zipper pocket of your backpack and your teacher will never notice.”
Vatching his eyes light up, I couldn’t help but smile too-only my smile meant something else entirely.
