Chapter 4
Early the next morning, Nathan left for work before I was up. Pills were laid out on the table with a little note reminding me about precautions.
In the past, these gestures would’ve moved me to tears, but now I didn’t even glance at them as I walked out.
The house was buzzing with activity–Rebecca had invited friends over and was acting like she owned the place, going on and on about her eighteenth birthday]
“My eighteenth was absolutely perfect! Hunter and Nathan got me haute couture, hired A–list celebrities, all the biggest names were there…” Rebecca was completely lost in her past glory.
Then she spotted me coming downstairs and smiled brightly: “Jessica, how was your day? We share the same birthday, after all!“]]
Rebecca looked genuinely curious, but I knew she was deliberately twisting the knife. Everyone knew I’d gotten beaten badly that day.[]
My foster parents had tracked me down to the Castillo house, determined to drag me back: “You little bitch! We raised you all these years and you think you can just walk away? Dream on!“]
When I refused to go, they slapped me to the ground and beat me in front of everyone. Rebecca stood there in her seven–figure designer dress, looking down at me with pity: “Jessica, your parents really miss you. Maybe you should go back with them instead of abandoning everything for money.“]]
Hunter and Nathan just stood beside her, watching me with cold indifference until Dad finally showed up to save me.]]
When I ignored her, Rebecca’s face darkened and she pulled out her phone with a strange smile. The next second, a video started playing on the living room TV.[]
My blood–curdling screams filled the entire house as my body went into shock–it was footage of that beating, even though Nathan and Hunter had promised me it was destroyed.]
I bit down so hard I tasted blood, then grabbed a glass and hurled it at the screen, shattering it completely.
Rebecca and her friends burst into hysterical laughter: “This little bitch is so triggered! This is hilarious!”
I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door, ignoring their mockery, but Rebecca blocked my path.[]
She kicked at my suitcase arrogantly: “What’s in there? Everything here belongs to the Castillos. Open it up.“]]
Humiliation washed over me as her friends started grabbing at my luggage: “Why so quiet? Let us see what’s inside!“||
Rebecca snorted: “She’s obviously guilty. Probably stole something expensive to sell!“]]
Ridiculous–the entire house was in my name. What would I need to steal?
I shoved her hand away coldly: “Back off! Don’t touch me!“[]
Rebecca looked stunned that I’d dare speak to her like that. She exchanged a look with her short–haired friend, then kicked my suitcase open.[]
Everything scattered across the floor, and when Rebecca saw the designer labels on my clothes, jealousy flashed in her eyes. All of this should’ve been hers, but I–some trashy hick–had taken it all.
Rebecca hooked a piece of lingerie with her foot: “Not wearing those old–fashioned bras anymore?“]
Her friend snickered: “Obviously she’s gotten slutty! How else do you think she stole someone’s boyfriend?“{}
Rebecca stared at my pale face and reached for my clothes with a nasty grin: “Let me see just how slutty you’ve gotten-“]}
Before she could finish, I grabbed her and slammed her to the ground.
Eighteen years of farm work had made me much stronger than them. I slapped her twice before she could even fight back, and despite her screaming, I didn’t stop.
Just as I raised my hand for the third time, someone grabbed my wrist hard.]
