Chloe {Broken Series #1} RE-WRITTEN

Dear Readers,

I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your support and interest in my last novel "The Billionaire's Regret {Regret Series #1} and i would also like to ask of you to also give this one a chance too. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my writing with you. As you delve into the pages of my book, I want to acknowledge that the content may be intense and potentially triggering for some readers. The story includes themes of kidnapping, bullying, murder, suicide attempt, and psychotic behavior. I want to assure you that these elements are integral to the narrative, but I also understand the impact they can have on individuals who have had similar experiences.

It is important to me that every reader feels heard and understood, and for this reason, I want to provide a trigger warning for these sensitive topics. I encourage you to take care of yourselves as you engage with the story and to reach out for support if needed. Your mental and emotional well-being is paramount, and your feelings about the content are valid.

Once again, thank you for your support and for accompanying me on this literary journey. I hope that my novel resonates with you in a meaningful way, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you through my writing.

With heartfelt appreciation,

STEPHAANEY ❤️

TW: BULLYING

The hallways of Crescent High School were bustling with students, their voices drowning in the chaos of lockers slamming shut and feet echoing against the tiled floors. It was just another ordinary day, or so i thought, until i found myself at the center of a nightmare.

A sharp pain jolted my body, face collided with the cold metal of a locker door. Pain seared through my forehead, followed by a sting of tears welling in my eyes. Disoriented and frightened, I mustered the strength to speak through my sobs.

"W-why are you t-two doing th-this for me?" I pleaded, my voice filled with both fear and confusion.

Instead of receiving an answer, I felt a fierce slap across my cheek, the force of it echoing through the hallway. It served as a cruel punctuation mark of the torment i was enduring. As my head was jerked backward by a handful of my hair, my gaze met Tyler's cold, malicious eyes. A sinister chuckle slipped from his lips, sending shivers down my spine.

"Awwwn... Claudia, it seems that the whore wants an explanation for our hatred" Tyler taunted, relishing in my vulnerability.

Claudia tightened her grip on my chin, her perfectly manicured nails digging into my flesh, purposefully causing pain. Her voice pierced through my fragile state, filled with rage and sheer madness.

"You want to know why we hate you so much, Chloe? It's because of you that our elder brother, Jackson, is dead!" She spat, her words slicing through the air, leaving me breathless.

A wave of fear washed over me, paralyzing every ounce of my being. The accusation seeped into my wounded soul, and the weight of guilt consumed me. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as i listened to Claudia's bloodshot eyes bore into my own, terrifying me to my core.

"AND WE WON'T REST UNTIL YOU JOIN HIM YOU B*TCH!" She screamed, her voice reverberating through the corridor, leaving an eerie silence in it's wake.

With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I knew i had to escape. The walls seemed to close in around me, and tunnel vision enveloped my senses. Without hesitation, i broke free from claudia's grip and sprinted down the hallway, fueled by a fear that threatened to suffocate me.

One Accident...

One Mistake...

One Loss...

One Misfortune...

Caused A Lot Of Unrepairable Damage.

These words echoed relentlessly in my mindas I desperately sought refuge from the horrors closing in on me. I dashed past bewildered classmates, their gazes filled with mix of amusement and curiousity. They were always amused by the turmoil that consumed my existence.

As i rounded a corner, my footsteps echoing off the walls, I found solace in an empty classroom collapsing onto a desk, i gasped for air, sweat mingling with the tears on my face. The weight of guilt pressed upon me, threatening to crush my spirit entirely.

I was left to confront the unrepairable damage caused by a mere moment in time. Jackson's death had fractured everyone involved, leaving broken pieces behind. The torment and hatred directed at me was a haunting reminder that i carried a burden that could never be lifted.

{CHAPTER ONE}

TW: KIDNAPPING

Twelve years ago, in a small town ruled by extravagant mansions, five-year-old Chloe found solace in the Black's mansion. Neglected by her own parents, Chloe's only source of love and attention came from her nanny. Thus, she often begged to be taken to the Black's house, where she could experience glimpses of a normal childhood.

On a sunny afternoon, Chloe, accompanied by her twin best friends, Tyler and Claudia, played in the front lawn of the Black's mansion. Exhausted from their running around, Claudia expressed her desire to rest. Concerned for his sister, Tyler suggested they all head inside. However, Chloe had a different plan in mind. She yearned for a sweet treat and resolved to ask Jackson, her best friend's twelve-year-old brother, to accompany her to the ice cream parlor.

After bidding farewell to her friends, Chloe nervously approached Jackson. Hesitant at first, she stuttered out her request, hoping he would agree. To her delight, the kind-hearted Jackson agreed to accompany her for ice cream. Their cheerful stroll was abruptly interrupted when six men dressed in black surrounded them. Chloe felt a sense of danger, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

The men forcefully separated Chloe and Jackson. Panic surged through Chloe's veins as she witnessed Jackson being dragged into a van. Desperation filled her eyes as she pleaded with the men to release him. But her pleas fell on deaf ears. One of the men held her down, while the other silenced her cries with a sharp slap across her face. Dazed and disoriented, Chloe fought against the effects of chloroform, aware that she was losing consciousness. Before succumbing to the darkness, she managed to whisper Jackson's name.

When Chloe awakened, she found herself in her own room. In a frenzy, she tried to get out of bed, only to be confronted by her mother. Fearing the worst, Chloe mustered the courage to ask about Jackson's whereabouts. Her mother's response shattered her heart into a million pieces. Blaming Chloe for the kidnapping, her mother labeled her a burden and a carrier of bad luck. Overwhelmed by guilt, Chloe's mother twisted her ears, inflicting physical pain to match the emotional torment.

Weeks passed, and a glimmer of hope emerged when the doorbell of the Black's mansion rang. The family rushed to open the door, expecting to see their beloved son returned safely since they already paid the ransom they were told to. Instead, they were met with a grim sight. Within the opened package lay a severed finger. Jacob Black, trembling, took hold of the letter enclosed within the box. With trembling hands, he read its chilling message: "That Finger Belongs To Your Son, May His Soul Rest In Peace Jacob."

His facial expression showed one of disbelief and agony. Jacob let out a choked sob, his whole body shaking with anguish. He and his wife Melissa hanged on to each other while crying, letting all of the pain they felt visible to everyone present. Luckily, the maid already took the twins inside, so they couldn't witness their parents miserable state.