Chapter 3The Billionaire’s Scars: The Return of the Real Heiress

The moment they saw the damage, a collective gasp filled the room.

Brooke turned away, hiding her face in Caleb’s chest as if she couldn't bear the sight.

"Oh my God," Caleb whispered. "How can a human being have a back like that?"

He acted like a protective older brother, covering Brooke’s eyes so she wouldn't be "traumatized."

Is it really that scary?

I couldn't see it, but I knew. It was a map of every mistake my foster father made while drunk, and every bad mood my foster mother had.

My mother ignored her own burn. she practically threw herself at my side.

Warm tears fell onto the back of my neck, sliding into the raw wounds and making them sting.

"Avery, come home with us. We’re never going back to those monsters. They aren't human. How could they do this to you?"

My father looked shaken.

"Come home. We’ll get you the best doctors. We’ll make you whole again."

I let my eyes fill with a desperate, fragile hope. I stared at them for a long moment, then slowly shook my head.

"My foster parents only hit me because they loved my brother more," I whispered.

"If you love Brooke more than me, what will happen to me?"

"I just can't take any more hits."

The room went silent. The guilt radiating from my parents was palpable.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the cold glint in my eyes.

In my last life, I was submissive. I was a "good girl." And I died like a dog.

This life? I’m going to make Brooke feel every single thing I went through.