Chapter 2The Billionaire’s Scars: The Return of the Real Heiress

My biological mother and I were both rushed to the hospital.

By the time we arrived, my biological father—a man whose face was on the cover of every business magazine—and his two children had arrived.

The hospital bed was surrounded by people.

"Mom, how could that woman be so vicious? What did she use to hit you?"

I didn't need to open my eyes to know who was speaking. That was my "big brother," Caleb.

In my last life, he was one of the people who helped pour the gasoline.

"Mom, does it hurt? If I had known, I would have gone with you. I would have protected you."

That was Brooke. She was sobbing, sounding as if she were the one who had lost a mother.

Brooke was the Sterling's "foundling" daughter. The girl they adopted to replace me.

Actually, she was the biological daughter of my abusive foster parents. All the beatings I took for eighteen years? They were meant for her.

I shifted slightly. A sharp, stinging pain radiated from my back, making me gasp.

The sound was loud in the quiet VIP suite.

The family finally remembered I was there.

My biological mother looked over, her expression awkward. "Avery... are you okay?"

I wasn't okay.

But I wouldn't die. Not yet.

I looked down, a self-deprecating smile touching my lips. "I’m used to it. But you... your skin is so delicate. That burn must be excruciating."

I made sure to emphasize the word "excruciating."

My biological father finally walked to my bedside to check my injuries.

I didn't hide.

I let the gown slip just enough to show the horrific patchwork of scars on my back.