"Run, Jenny! Don't look back!"
The voice echoed in my head as I jolted awake, breathless and covered in sweat. My heart pounded against my ribs like a drum of war. Six years had passed, but the nightmares never left me,"
For the past six years, I have lived peacefully here in California far from my old life, away from the people who wanted me dead.
They thought eliminating me would make it easier to inherit my grandmother's fortune. But no matter how many times they tried, I survived.
Thank God for always protecting me.
And thank him—the man who saved me when I was left for dead, drowning in a river.
He gave me a second chance at life. He became my salvation. And now, he is my husband.
Looking back at my past, I can finally say I am happy. I have a reason to smile again. A reason to move forward.
But there are nights when the memories creep in.
The night I ran away.
After that one night with a stranger, I ran without looking back.
Fear consumed me. What if he's like James? What if he only wants my inheritance too?
Wealth—it was all anyone seemed to care about.
Yet, for some reason, when I was in that stranger's arms, I felt safe. I felt at peace.
But I couldn't trust him. No matter how much my heart whispered that I was safe with him, I refused to believe it.
I couldn't take the risk. I couldn't trust anyone—not after what had happened.
---
Six Years Ago
"Where are you?" Lina's nervous voice trembled over the phone.
"Somewhere. Why?"
"Please, come home! Grandma is in the emergency room!"
My heart stopped.
"W-what? What happened? Is she okay? What did the doctors say?"
"I don't know much. Monique just called me about Grandma."
"Okay, I'm heading there now!"
"Take care, Jenny."
I hung up and gripped the steering wheel. My chest felt tight, my hands trembling.
Grandma…
She was the only family I had left—besides Lina. I couldn't lose her.
I stepped on the gas, driving as fast as I could when—
BAM!
Something rammed into the back of my car.
I gasped, glancing at the rearview mirror. A black car.
Before I could react—
BAM!
They hit me again.
Panic surged through me. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
Someone's trying to kill me.
I gripped the wheel tighter, trying to speed up, trying to escape.
"No, no, no!" I whispered, fear clawing at my throat.
I don't want to die. I don't want to die!
Another hard hit.
I lost control.
CRASH!
My car slammed into a tree.
Pain exploded in my head. My vision blurred. Blood dripped from my temple, pooling in my hands.
I tried to move. I tried to scream.
But my body refused to obey.
Then—
I heard voices.
"Is she dead?"
"Yes. She won't survive."
"Good. The Mistress will be pleased. We'll be paid a fortune for this."
A choked sob escaped my lips.
No. It can't end like this.
It was them. Someone from my own family.
They wanted me gone.
I will not die. I refuse to let them win.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
---
When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.
A needle was attached to my hand, and the scent of antiseptic filled the air.
Beside me, Lina was crying.
"W-what happened?" I forced myself to sit up, but my body ached all over.
She quickly wiped her tears and helped me. "Your car crashed into a tree."
Then it hit me.
The attack. The voices. The betrayal.
"Someone brought you here. I don't know what I would've done if you—" Lina's voice broke.
"If I what?" I frowned. "Lina, what's wrong?"
She hesitated, tears pooling in her eyes.
Then she whispered the words that shattered me.
"Grandma… she's gone."
"N-no." My voice cracked. "You're lying. She—she can't be!"
"She is." Lina sobbed. "The doctors couldn't save her."
My breath hitched. My world tilted.
"How? What happened? The last time I saw her, she was still strong!"
Lina lowered her head.
"Tell me, Lina!" My anger boiled over. "How did she die? What was the reason?!"
Her hands trembled. "She… she fell down the stairs."
Silence.
I blinked. "What?"
"The nurse watching over her said she saw Grandma fall."
"Impossible!" My chest heaved. "She was in a wheelchair! How could she just fall?!"
Lina flinched.
"Unless… someone pushed her."
A cold chill ran down my spine.
"And where was the nurse when it happened? Why did she leave Grandma alone?"
Lina's face turned pale. She looked away.
"Tell me, Lina!"
Her lips quivered. "I… I ordered her to leave for a moment."
My hands clenched into fists. "With all the maids in the house, why Grandma's private nurse?"
"Because she knew about drugs."
I frowned. "Drugs? What do you mean?"
She bit her lip. "I needed them."
"For what?" My voice was dangerously low.
She didn't answer.
But I knew she was hiding something.
"Lina, what are you keeping from me?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. If I hadn't sent the nurse away, Grandma wouldn't have fallen. She might still be alive."
My nails dug into my palms. "Stop saying that! Nothing you say will bring her back!"
"I'm sorry."
I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples.
"I want to go home."
Lina hesitated. "We… we're not allowed in the mansion anymore."
I froze. "What?"
"We've been evicted."
My blood ran cold. "Since when?"
"Since the other day. After Grandma's funeral."
"What?!"
My heart pounded.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Three days."
I swallowed hard.
"Three days ago, you called me about Grandma."
Lina nodded, her face contorted with pain.
"And in those three days… they cremated her. They threw us out."
She broke down into sobs.
"I begged them to let me see her one last time, Steph. But they didn't listen. They threw me out like trash."
Rage burned inside me.
"What right do they have?! That's my house! I have more rights than they do!"
Lina wiped her tears. "Steph… what are you going to do?"
I clenched my fists.
"I'm going home."
Lina's eyes widened. "But—"
"No buts." My jaw tightened. "They stole everything from us, Lina. It's time I take it back."