Chapter 10 17 288 Vouchers “Ken? What did he say? Did something happen to Brietta? “Say something!” Mom sobbed. Both of them were crying in panic. Just then, Mom got a call. It was from the hospital. “Hello, are you Brietta Swinton’s parent?” A bad feeling rose in Mom’s chest. Her voice trembled. “Yes.” The … Read more
Chapter 9 I never got to see them one last time. They spoiled me so much. How were they supposed to accept my death? I followed Ken as he rushed to the banquet to calm our parents first. In the car, he kept talking to himself. “Brietta, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. “Stop hiding. … Read more
Chapter 8 It was a video of me getting bullied at school. In several clips, Nadya was seen giving orders outside. Ken collapsed to the ground. His mouth opened, but no words came out. He just kept shaking his head. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “No. No! Impossible!” Panicking, he got up and … Read more
Chapter 7 Ken dipped his finger into the leftover “water therapy” on the floor. He licked it and instantly spat it out. “So salty!” he thought, his face twisting into a grimace. Suddenly, his chest tightened. “Could it be… that call saying it was saline inside–was true?” came his thought. Panicking, he grabbed a flashlight … Read more
Chapter 6 11 288 Vouchers “And she’s so well–behaved. There’s no way she lied!” The nanny’s gut–wrenching sobs echoed in his ears again. He tuned it out, letting one phrase repeat in his head, “Well–behaved?” Was Brietta ell–behaved? Kind of. At home, she always called his name in that soft, sweet voice. She did whatever … Read more
Chapter 5 Ken squeezed his eyes shut, trying hard to suppress his anger. He sneered. “If you don’t want to work for the Swinton family, get lost! Don’t team up with Brietta to fool me! “My parents aren’t home, so I call the shots. I can fire you anytime. What did Brietta offer you to … Read more
Chapter 4 11 288 Vouchers The music above stopped. Conversations buzzed all around. Suddenly, I heard Ken’s voice. My whole body trembled uncontrollably. He–he actually mentioned the one thing I had been avoiding for years. When I was ten, my parents‘ enemies kidnapped me to threaten them. And I—I was violated by a pervert—he pleasured … Read more
Chapter 3 My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. After they dumped me on the boat, they completely forgot about me while trying to entertain Nadya. I lay on the deck like a dying, rotting fish, barely breathing. People passing by covered their noses and walked around me. I gathered what little strength I had and … Read more
Chapter 2 I could handle Nadya splashing me with one cup of saline. But soaking in it? That was no different than dying. I screamed, feeling like my soul was being ripped out of my body. But I refused to give up any chance to survive. Stumbling, I dragged myself to the door and pounded … Read more
Chapter 1 The day the SAT results came out, I scored 1500. But my brother, Ken Swinton, immediately turned grim and locked me in the basement. Because our cousin Nadya Swinton scored 300 points lower, he ordered people to hammer 200 nails into my body. I knelt on the ground, begging him. But he showed … Read more