m news: I was fired. They demanded my presence at the office imm

d intensity, I fantasized about hurlin

s cared for nothing but

t me on a pedestal, but the moment I dared challenge him, he

ht long years working my ass off for that bastard,

oiling over. Fine, if they didn't v

ther position, possibly even wi

looked sharp, grabbed my essentials, and stormed

o my car, my phone v

landline number. I an

Is it my grandma?" I inquired

tone was tinged

he assured me hesitantly. "It's just that... the funds you

e roaring to life beneath me. "I'm

nly glimmer of joy came from the moments spent

ne person who'd ever shown m

would make me let an

ensure her continued care. After settling the finances, I sought out Jackson, eage

nd her on the small balcony, baskin

murmuring to herself, "Our Cathy's grown so tall-I need to k

n me, igniting a sharp sting in m

d her recognition of me, her fingers

mile and approached her, crouching by her si

*

when I had left my apartment earlier, buoyed by a defiant spirit. But as I lef

g no expense to ensure her comfort in her twilight years. It

of maintaining those exorbita

reckless pride-an expensive outburst where I had sq

nt, one that now see

's influence had cost me my job,

d beg Benny for forgiveness, my phone erupted into

orphed my frustration into sheer

unable to mask th

peaker before the stern voice of the woman on th

cold as I retorted through gritted teeth, "I thought I made it

ough the line, the voice retorted

"But if you care about your grandma's safety and comfort

nt threat-raw

? I had nothing-no

was firmly within her grasp, and she

ge was volcanic, yet it changed nothing

g gates of the Smith family estate. I rang the doorbell he

oorway, two towering secur

, twisting my arms behind my back and

Smith and his wife Kacie Smith, alo

as a slick, middle-aged m

the room, my voice cold and def

a sycophantic smile, turned to the greasy man, introducing me with a hin

ght

neer. Since when had he e

on display, his eyes narrowing before he

icipation, ventured, "So, about

a dismissive wave of his hand. "The funds wi

d me, his expression morphing

but firm. "Rest assured, Mr. Gilbert. I'll

le smirk as he strutted out,

idal wave-they were trading

Brice Smith, do you even hav

n mouth, you ungrateful bitch. Who the hell do you think you are, talking to Dad like that? You should be gr

ck with defiance. "If he's so

r words, "How dare you compare yourself

en burst of strength, I wrenched free from the guards' hold, tack

elling me backward with such force that I slammed into the floor. Pain

er to her feet. Then, his attention snapped to me with a fury, and he began pummeling me relentlessly, each

his eyes, Florrie was his prized daughter, the golden child, wh

monster," I hissed through clenched te

ing like thunder as he resumed his brutal as

l, trying desperately to shield my sto

lingly icy. "Enough, Brice. Don't damage her too badly," she instru

s. "Lock her up," he commanded tersely. "No food until she agr

rew me onto the cold, hard floor of a barren room, slammi

ed through me so intensely that even

, and I instinctively cradled it, my hands tr

omething solid in my pocket-

bled with the device, my fingers quiveri

ne, my voice barely a breath as darkness ed