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The Scars She Hid From The World
The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.Prologue-1
DISCLAIMER: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Caroline's POV (Caroline's pic)
"..... .. this, this, this one and this. Oh yeah! Even the royal blue, red and purple dress I already showed you." I said pointedly at the saleslady.
You're right. Yes! I am shopping at 11 in the morning. Sooo fun! Well that's the only fun thing I can do when you have a degree but you have such sweet parents who don't want to see you working.
Just then, I saw my cell vibrating. 'Mom? Why would she call me now?' I thought. Anyways I picked her call.
"Hey Mom, why you-" I wasn't able to complete my sentence as I heard Mom's worried voice "Carol come to the hospital soon. Now!"
"What?! Why?! Mom what's going on? What happened?" I asked.
"Just get here to the hospital. I don't have time to explain things to you!" She almost screamed at me and cut the call.
Okaaay.... That was something!
After I reached the hospital I called mom and she told me to come to the second floor. When I saw mom, I had never seen her soo stressed. I also saw my dad's lawyer standing there holding my younger brother, Dylan.
Dread filled me. "Mom, where's dad?" I asked.
She started trembling and burst into tears and fell to the floor before I could catch her. She then pointed out towards the door in front of us.
I stood up to reach the door. And what I saw inside was what I feared the most. I saw my father lying lifeless on the hospital bed. I went near him and sat on the bed. I tried to shake his shoulders. But he wouldn't wake up.
I didn't know what to do....
************************************
1 week later
It was my father's funeral today. Now I was trying to get my mom to sleep.
Somehow after 2 hours I gave her sleeping pills and tucked her into bed.
Just as I was going to my room I heard a sob coming from Dylan's room. There I saw Dylan crying his eyes out, I went and hugged him trying to console him.
The question he asked next got me thinking. "What happens now?"
I don't know when but he was already asleep. So I switched off the lights and closed his door.
In my room, I sat in front of the mirror looking at myself. I felt something warm fall on my hands. That's when I realized I was crying. I didn't cry when I saw my father in the hospital that day. Not even during his funeral.
But I wanted to be strong for my family. Mamma is already in the worst state she could ever be in. And Dylan is too young to be having such experiences in his life. Too young to loose his father. Its on me to take care of them now. But what's haunting me was Dylan's question. 'What happens now?'
************************************
Another few weeks later
I was sitting in the lawyer's office. He informed me that the person who was responsible for the accident was drunk and has managed to escape out of the country. But I already have lost my father. Would I get him back if that drunkard is found. I was totally uninterested about that. Even Mamma said the same.
Then he read out the will for me. Dad had written all his property and everything in the name of Mamma and me. And for Dylan but only after he turns 18.
Same day, in the evening I was sitting in a cafe thinking about what I can and how I will take care of mom and Dylan. I might have a degree in Business but I never worked, not even a simple job. How will I run a company all by myself?!
I called Katie and asked her to meet me at the cafe. She was my best friend since childhood. I needed help, advice. Well I needed Katie now!
She was here within 15 minutes. She promised to help me with the company. But you know what?! She is worse than me! How was I going to manage.
Just then I saw a handsome hunk walking into the cafe. So tall, maybe about 6 feet I guessed. His grey eyes which a had a bluish glint which made me fall deep into them. I think he was British or maybe even American? I don't know..... I smiled. I smiled after weeks because of him.
'Oh my God! What am I even thinking'
Just then I looked at Katie who was giving me the knowing look! I just shrugged. Then she suddenly started squealing looking at something. When I looked at what made her squeal, it was the same guy I was staring at who was now looking at me with a smirk as he left the cafe!!
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The Billionaire Casanova in Love
"Why? I know it's not that you actually care about me. Then why? Tell me." I demanded looking down. "Be MINE, Caroline" he said. I always loved the way my name rolled on his tongue. I saw him coming towards me as I took small steps backwards until my back hit the wall. I could see his face gettin/0/74164/coverorgin.jpg?v=2816c470b06ac6b360aeec47a19d5139&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The Mafia Heiress's Comeback: She's More Than You Think
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" th/0/18260/coverorgin.jpg?v=93245e93e167720cfc92ae87035cc261&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Accidental Roommate
*Complete* After experiencing heartbreak and betrayal, Sharon Ashwood runs to New York, trying to get as far from it as possible. However, instead of the solitude she wanted, she soon found herself getting a new roommate in the form of her brother-in-law's best friend, Cameron Ballard. Giant'/0/18473/coverorgin.jpg?v=45db6d74fa882e1e06b7e11f4554cd7d&imageMogr2/format/webp)
If You Want Me
She is drunk by her sister who is jealous of everything she owns. She accidentally goes into his room, where they have a one-night affair. She has an unexpected baby of them. Unable to resist great pressure from her family and his threatening, she chooses to marry him. Faced with many obstacles, she/0/18796/coverorgin.jpg?v=f30c379fdcd08802cd9be9b445be7c43&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Burning: From Hatred To Love
It was a trap that made her wake up at the side of a powerful man. She ran away, causing him to suffer a great loss. But three years later, in order to save her grandfather, she came back to him. "You want me to save your grandfather? Over my dead body!" the man sneered and said ruthlessly on tha/0/18218/coverorgin.jpg?v=11334fa54f015b0d5c1cf72e3c917333&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The Billionaire's Revenge
Completed. Jade knows the only reason he is helping her is to get revenge on her father. Her father getting arrested wasn't enough to satisfy his thirst for blood, he wanted more, always more. She didn't mind sacrificing her life for her mother's happiness. Maybe if she tried she could safe him,/0/18627/coverorgin.jpg?v=9d1608e8b3f4ff02e666dc87c110e82a&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Evil CEO: Lost In Bossy Love
What connected their destinies was nothing but cruel vengeance. In hopes of winning Edward’s love, Flora murdered the woman he loved the most. When anger and the thirst for vengeance clouded his judgment, Edward had Flora’s entire family pay the price for his beloved’s death, including her adopted s/0/31575/coverorgin.jpg?v=78c681b91dc5c7ee28b832987404342f&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The Whole World Seems To Be Falling For My Wife
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer,/0/81650/coverorgin.jpg?v=6e4487b5edd0ed017fe09f8ca0166339&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Marrying Her Was Easy, Losing Her Was Hell
"Stella once savored Marc's devotion, yet his covert cruelty cut deep. She torched their wedding portrait at his feet while he sent flirty messages to his mistress. With her chest tight and eyes blazing, Stella delivered a sharp slap. Then she deleted her identity, signed onto a classified resea/0/23539/coverorgin.jpg?v=0ac0ae2ad89b96d61213bdeb1c0b2a19&imageMogr2/format/webp)
