Chapter 4Chasing Freedom

She shook her head, looking utterly lost.

I started counting on my fingers.

"Every single day starts with a six AM run. If you're out, you have to be back by eight PM sharp. You cannot make a single sound with your silverware while eating. And if you want to date, you need the family board's approval."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot. On my first date when I was seventeen, they sent three terrifying bodyguards to shadow us. They scared the poor guy so badly he transferred to a different school the next week."

Her face went paper white. She shot a terrified glance at her new parents.

My mom tried to cut me off. "Jenica! Stop scaring your sister!"

"I'm not scaring anyone."

Just stating the daily facts.

Carter was the sharpest of the bunch. He was the first to realize something was genuinely wrong here, asking me exactly where I thought I was going.

"I'm going to be a normal person."

He looked at me like I had grown a second head. Taking a long stride, his tall frame blocked my path to the door.

"You've been pampered and spoiled your entire life. Do you honestly think you can survive outside the Collins family?"

I stopped and gave him a highly mysterious smile.

"Carter, care to guess exactly how much cash I've been secretly hoarding in my private accounts over the years?"

"To be completely honest, I'm just thanking God for finally showing me some mercy."

Carter was left utterly speechless.

Lily grabbed the sleeve of my faux fur coat, tears welling in her eyes.

"Please don't go..."

I patted her head with motherly affection. "Be a good girl. You are the sole hope of the Collins family now."

With that, I gave them a fabulous wave, gripped the handle of my suitcase, and marched out the front door without looking back.

"Good luck to all of you. I'm off to chase my freedom!"

Outside, Gwen was idling in the driveway in a massive black G-Wagon. When she saw my outfit, her jaw practically hit the steering wheel.

"Jenica, are you eloping?"

My heels clicked rapidly against the pavement as I broke into a jog.

"This is way better than an elopement. This is a prison break!" I scrambled into the passenger seat and yanked the seatbelt across my chest. "Drive, drive, drive! Step on it before they realize what's happening."

As the engine roared to life, I took one final look at the sprawling estate I had called home for over twenty years.

I let out a maniacal, supervillain style laugh.

"I, Jenica Collins, am finally free!"

As we peeled down the driveway, I could have sworn I heard my mom screaming from the front porch.

"Stop her! That suitcase is stuffed with my crocodile skin Birkins!"