Chapter 1 No.1

Brianna Owen lay motionless in the stark white hospital bed, the relentless beeping of machines a harsh reminder of her reality.

It was day thirty of her coma-a month lost to darkness-and while her body was trapped in silence, her mind remained achingly aware of everything around her.

Her mind was her only companion, and it tormented her with memories.

Her thoughts spiraled back to that day, the day her parents had come to visit her. They hadn't lingered then, not even a moment long enough to show love or concern.

Their cold words echoed in her mind like a horrifying mantra. "We shouldn't have welcomed you back into the family. You're such a disgrace. "

With each passing day, Brianna's heart grew heavier. The realization settled uncomfortably within her: her real family had abandoned her. She was left alone in this sterile void, surrounded by machines.

The gentle click of the door opening pierced her reverie. The rhythm of the footsteps was wrong-too deliberate, too confident for a nurse.

Her heart raced. Who else could it be?

A familiar, cloying scent of expensive jasmine perfume filled the air. Then Cassie Owen's voice rant out. "Good morning, Brianna. I thought I'd stop by and check on my dear sister."

Her tone twisted the word "sister" into something sinister.

Cassie was the golden child-the one who had usurped Brianna's place and reveled in a life of luxury within the Owen family. With a viper's smile and expertly spun lies, she had welcomed Brianna only to turn their parents against her at every opportunity.

It was Cassie who had framed her for theft, landing her in a hellish prison for four years. Brianna had survived that, only to be accidentally struck by a truck the week she was released.

"Oh, I have wonderful news," Cassie continued. "I'm engaged to Matt. He proposed last night with mother's emerald ring. The one you said was so beautiful. "

The words hit Brianna harder than anything else had during her time in the hospital. Matthew Davis was supposed to be her fiancé.

How could Cassie do this? She had not only stolen Brianna's life and her parents' affection, but now she was also taking her fiancé!

Now Brianna understood why Cassie had come to visit her-not out of kindness, but to gloat.

Cassie's footsteps drew closer until Brianna could feel her presence looming over the bed. "Well, well, look at you. The long-lost heiress, reduced to a vegetable. How pitiable. "

But then, Cassie's voice changed. The feigned sweetness evaporated, replaced by a cold, brutal malice that made the air feel frozen. "There's something else I want to share with you, Brianna."

Cassie leaned in so close Brianna could feel her warm breath on her ear. She whispered, her voice dropping to a intimate, venomous level, "I thought you deserved to know the truth before you go. The truck that hit you? That was no accident. I made sure of it. I couldn't have you worming your way back into Daddy's good graces after your little stint in jail, could I?"

The words slammed into Brianna with more force than the truck itself. Cassie did this. She planned the accident!

Brianna poured every ounce of her being into her hand, wishing she could slap Cassie in the face. But her body remained a dead, heavy weight, betraying her utterly.

Unable to shout or lunge, all she could do was feel. And right now, she felt pure hatred.

"And now," Cassie smiled, "I've decided to grant you a mercy. I hope you enjoy your eternal slumber."

Brianna heard the soft rustle of Cassie's sleeve, then the gentle click as the ventilator was disconnected. The steady hiss stopped.

"No!" Brianna's mind screamed.

Panic, pure and primal, seized her. The suffocation was immediate and terrifying. Her lungs, reliant on the machine for a month, screamed for air that would not come. Her silent screams became pleas, desperate and futile.

Cassie leaned in one last time, her lips brushing Brianna's cold ear. Her final words were a chilling caress.

"Goodbye, my dear sister. You shouldn't have come back. You are meant for that despicable, wretched family."

Darkness began to swarm at the edges of Brianna's consciousness, pulling her down into a deep, airless void.

Her final thought was not a prayer, but a vow-a seething, rage-filled promise to the uncaring universe.

"If I could do it all again... I would make you all pay. I would never crave the Owens' love."

The world dissolved into nothingness.

Then something unexpected happened. Abruptly, she felt a sensation that drew her back-a grip that felt stronger than a whisper, nearly suffocating.

Her eyes, for the first time in thirty days, snapped open.

Dim light and a face swam into focus. A face contorted with rage and spite, framed by greasy hair. The hands squeezing her throat were strong.

It was her adoptive brother, Neil Owen-someone she hadn't seen in ages.

What was happening? Wasn't she dead? Had someone rescued her? But why wasn't she in a hospital, and how had she emerged from her vegetative state?

Neil hissed, "Listen, Mr. Gordon wants you. If you spend the night with him and satisfy his needs, he'll happily clear my debts. So do your best to make it happen-or I will personally teach you a hard lesson. Do you understand?"

With that, he finally let go of Brianna.

She stared at Neil, her mind reeling in disbelief. She had heard those exact words before.

When she was eighteen, Neil had set her up with Cody Gordon for sex, desperate to escape his own miserable fate of becoming a slave.

Raising her eyes, Brianna scanned the familiar surroundings and realized: this was the very private room where Cody had once tried to assault her.

She strained to make sense of it all, and a thought crept into her mind. Could it be that fate had finally been lenient with her and given her another chance?