ything truly began-when my wor

linging to hope in a house full of lies. I wasn't searching for trouble. I was just a quiet girl working part-tim

eak. I stupidly agreed. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and she was unusually k

ud music, the flickering lights-and then, pain. A terrible, sudden pain. My stomach turned, my head s

ce. But the water didn't help. The room still spun, and my limbs were like jelly. I barel

t me-Jor

ep, promising Victoria the world. He helped me out of the restroom and took me upstairs, into one of the club's private

n it ha

chaos. That night, I betrayed myself. I betrayed everything I stood for. I don't ev

ly when he belonged to the very woman

tor

hated how I was loved, even if it was only scraps from our cold parents. She hated how I n

revenge than to

mine, I ran. I ran like hell. My body ached, my heart collapsed ins

aybe, just maybe, I could find a way t

ter, the vi

oria made sure it went viral. She made sure everyone saw it. She told e

that, my life

ile tears and painted herself as the betrayed angel. And Jordan... he didn't even ask

member the night, how I only had two drinks, how nothing about it felt ri

me the

nd Victor

-King merger was already in the works, and they needed a publi

s cold, judgmental mother who made my life a living hell. The woman blamed me

egnant a

ld. I never told anyone. Not even him. That child was the only light in my lif

ut. I don't know

alcony one rainy night a

thing. This time, I'm going

n she p

all was long. But the pa

as of the tiny he

never go

d

upposed

had oth

w how long

lue. A monitor beeped beside me. The scent of antisepti

. I couldn't mov

was

professional. A man in a lab coat. Glasses on his nose. A mask c

I was starting to think you planne

me-warm hazel eyes. Familiar, but

ber me yet, but I was the one who found you that night. You were barely br

my eyes, but I coul

I croak

low and serious. "And I don't believe people

nable to understand

in-or you can live as someone new. Someone stronger. S

od to

d grabbed the hem of his c

ed, sur

asped. "I won'

ze sha

a Bennett anymore," h

ushing a strand of

ks now. And this

at, a new fire b

d rise

hen I

ictoria.

ould a