Chapter 1The day I got out of prison, my brother's precious foster sister threw me a "welcome home" livestream.
"This is my big sis. Thirteen men assaulted her and she's STILL standing. So brave, right?"
The comments went absolutely insane.
Declan—my brother—frowned a little. Riley just giggled, tongue out like it was nothing.
I didn't lose my shit like I did three years ago though. Just smiled at all those people watching. "A woman's body isn't her weakness. Those guys should be dead, not me."
Back home, I didn't say a word when my brother let her take my place at our parents' grave.
Didn't care when he gave her my bedroom and stuck me in the storage room.
Even when she pushed me into the pool again—and Declan only jumped in to save her, the one who could actually swim—I just went home by myself after some random person pulled me out.
Declan looked at me all complicated. "Yara... three years in prison. You've really changed. Grown up."
I smiled softly.
Grown up? No.
I just stopped expecting anything from him.
Plus, this voice in my head—the one that's been gone for years—came back three days ago.
And it told me in seven days, I'm going home.
My REAL home.
---
"Okay but seriously, thirteen dudes in one night—what's that like?"
Riley was hanging off Declan's arm when she turned around and asked me that, face all innocent and curious.
I froze.
Before I could even say anything, Declan tapped her forehead all sweet. "Jesus, Riley. Don't ask her that."
He looked over at me, didn't even care. "She's spoiled. She doesn't know better. Just ignore it."
Riley had this smirk on her face, waiting for me to flip out like before.
But I didn't. Just stood there looking at her. "Makes sense. When nobody raises you right, you talk like trash. Why would I be shocked?"
It'd been years since anyone said that word around Riley.
Her smile froze for like half a second before coming back.
"Oh and Declan gave me your mom's jade necklace. Y'know, THAT one. Guess he really loves me, huh?"
That was the last thing Mom left me. Riley and I used to beat the crap out of each other over that necklace when we were kids.
Now? I didn't even look at it. "Keep it. I'm not into hand-me-downs."
When Mom and Dad died, I couldn't stand leaving Declan alone. So I stayed in this world with him instead of going home.
Now I'm leaving anyway. Can't take any of this with me. He can give it to whoever.
Not getting the reaction she wanted, Riley's smile completely died.
Declan looked shocked too. Got all irritated. "Yara, you almost came at me with a knife over this before. And now you suddenly don't care? If you're pissed just say so. What's with the act?"
I shrugged. Didn't even try to sound interested. "I really don't give a shit. What am I supposed to say?"
"Fine. Give it back then. Will you?"
Declan froze. His face went dark.
"This isn't... you shouldn't be acting like this..."
I smiled a little. Guess Declan's memory of me is still stuck three years back.
Back then I slapped Riley for the first time trying to get Mom and Dad's stuff back.
What'd I get? My own brother dragged me to the busiest street corner in downtown Portland and made me stand there while he slapped me a hundred times.
That day my lip split open. The pain and the shame nearly killed me.
"Oh she cares. Trust me. Three years in prison and now she's putting on this innocent act."
I hadn't heard that voice in three years.
Hearing it again felt surreal—like a whole different lifetime.
I turned around. Carter Blythe—my ex—was standing in the doorway, hands shoved in his pockets.
"Let's be clear—we have history. But you're not wife material anymore. Still, I figured I'd check in."
He laughed, cold as hell. Looking down at me like I was trash. "But hey, if you play nice and treat Riley well, maybe I won't mind keeping you as a side piece."
"Just one more mouth to feed. Only catch—you'd be calling Riley 'ma'am' from now on."
Riley looked like she was watching her favorite show.
Everyone in Portland knew Yara Bennett was obsessed with Carter Blythe—so obsessed she got his name tattooed across her entire back.
Now I looked at that glaring hickey on his neck. Just said it slow: "Yeah, no. You're disgusting."
Chapter 2
"YARA!"
Carter's eyes went dark. He yanked Riley toward him.
"Let's see how long you keep this up."
He kissed her—rough, showy, gross.
Declan's hand shot out without thinking, grabbed my wrist tight.
"Yara—" He was scared I'd flip out.
But I just turned around and headed straight upstairs.
Like I'm gonna waste time watching their soft-core porn show. I'd rather go lie down.
On my way up I even turned the AC up two degrees. Thoughtful of me, right?
"Fuck this!"
Behind me Carter kicked the door and peeled out in his car.
Declan just stood there staring after me, looking all kinds of messed up.
"Yara... didn't you used to be crazy about Carter? Why're you—"
So Declan knew the whole time, huh.
But does he remember how he made me let go?
Just 'cause Riley said she liked Carter, Declan kept setting them up—even when Carter and I were this close to getting engaged.
Night before our engagement party he drugged us and put Carter in Riley's bed.
Put me in some other guy's bed, then had Carter's whole family walk in and catch me.
Next day everyone was outside calling me a slut.
When Carter showed up he could barely stand. "Riley told me you were cheating on me. I didn't believe her." He paused, jaw tight. "But today? You showed me exactly who you are."
He grabbed his shirt and threw it at me. I was still naked.
"Yara, loving you was the most disgusting mistake of my life."
Suddenly my ankle hurt like hell.
I looked down—the dog I'd raised for ten years was growling at me.
Riley walked over smiling. "Buddy doesn't remember you. It's been too long. He probably thinks you're here to hurt me or something."
Declan stood next to Riley like he always did—like her personal bodyguard.
"The dog didn't mean it. Don't make a big deal out of it."
I looked down at the dog I'd saved off the highway years ago. Didn't even hesitate. Just kicked it aside.
Then looked at Riley. "Yeah, no shit. I'm not gonna care about some animal with zero loyalty."
I meant it.
Couldn't even control my own brother and my childhood boyfriend betraying me—why would I give a shit about a dog?
Declan's eyes got all dark. Riley thought I was mocking her though. Her face went cold.
Then suddenly I felt something warm dripping from my nose.
Wiped it. Blood. Everywhere. Wouldn't stop.
Declan's whole face changed. He practically lunged at me and grabbed my wrist. "What's wrong?! Come on, hospital, now."
Suddenly, the voice in my head spoke up.
"It's okay. This is supposed to happen. You're leaving soon, so your body's starting to shut down."
Declan's hand was hot as hell, shaking.
"Ugh..." Riley put her hand on her forehead and swayed. "I'm so dizzy... might've gotten sick that day she shoved me in the water."
Declan looked at me. Then Riley.
Didn't even hesitate—just let go of me. Bent down and scooped Riley right up.
"I'm calling a doctor. Right now."
Riley wrapped her arms around his neck and shot me this smug little look.
But I wasn't watching her show. Didn't give a shit who Declan was worried about.
I just grabbed a tissue, stuffed it in my nose, and stared at the calendar.
Two days left. Then I'm gone.
Chapter 3
My phone buzzed.
Screen lit up—Riley sent me a message and a photo.
"Just 'cause you're playing nice now doesn't mean Declan's gonna go easy on you. You'll never be his favorite—that's always gonna be me."
"Oh and by the way... you seriously believe he punished those guys? For YOU?"
My chest got tight. For a second I couldn't breathe.
But then I forced myself to chill. Growing up, when Declan promised me something he never broke his word.
Riley always did this—messed with me and Declan, made us suspicious of each other until everything fell apart.
I took a deep breath and opened the photo.
Everything collapsed.
In the picture were the thirteen guys Declan swore he'd destroy. Some driving fancy cars. Some with girls on their arms.
They were living even better than three years ago.
Crack.
Phone slipped out of my hand, hit the floor.
But I couldn't hear anything. All I could think was: if they never got punished, then what the hell were those three years I spent getting beat up in prison for?!
Back then Declan was sure those guys were hired by me to hurt Riley. He wouldn't go after them publicly 'cause of the family reputation—unless I apologized to Riley.
I got on my knees and slammed my forehead into the floor over and over. Blood ran down my face.
"I'm gonna be scared every time I see her..." Riley curled up against him.
Declan looked down at me, eyes ice cold. "Three years, Yara. You're getting locked up for three years. You're not coming back until Riley's over this."
"Then swear to me you'll make them pay. All thirteen of them."
I traded three years of my life for my brother's promise.
And now?
I spun around and grabbed his collar.
"Why the hell are those thirteen guys still walking around like nothing happened?!" I was shaking so hard I could barely get the words out.
Something flickered in Declan's eyes. Then he just shoved me off. Didn't even hesitate.
"Riley's the victim and she forgave them. Why can't you let it go?"
"SHE'S the victim?!"
I grabbed his shirt again, hands shaking, knuckles going white. "Then what the FUCK am I?!"
Declan's face twisted in annoyance. "YOU paid those guys to go after her. You brought this on yourself."
"Plus they said sorry to Riley. It's done."
Say sorry?
Second that word came out my ears started ringing.
That night came rushing back. Every fucking second.
That dark room. Bodies crushing me. It went on all night—thirteen of them. Hands tearing at me while they screamed. The pain was so bad I blacked out.
By morning I couldn't even stand.
I used to think that night was the worst hell I'd ever know.
Compared to right now? It was nothing.
I stared at the brother I used to trust with everything, used to depend on completely.
Words came out slow, grinding through my teeth.
"They destroyed my life and you just LIED! You swore to me! I'm your own fucking sister!"
Riley stepped in. "You know what my parents used to say? Forgive and forget."
"I've already forgiven you. It's time you do the same."
Declan looked at her, clearly impressed. "Look at that. Riley grew up with nothing and she's got more class than you."
Riley smiled all innocent, then leaned in to whisper.
"Oh, they told me to tell you something. They've been missing you. All three years."
"Said they didn't have enough fun before. Next time they're gonna make it really count."
That was it. I fucking snapped.
My hand flew out—slapped her so hard her head whipped to the side.
"It WAS YOU!"
I was screaming, completely losing my shit.
"WHY?! Even though I hated you I would NEVER do this! What did I ever DO to you?!"
SLAP.
Way harder hit landed on my face.
Force knocked me to the ground. Ears ringing. Everything went black.
Declan was standing over me. Face like a storm.
"Didn't those hundred slaps knock any sense into you?"
He said it ice-cold.
"You just hit Riley right in front of me. Makes sense you'd pull that kind of evil shit. Lucky for you karma already got you. Otherwise I'd have done it myself just for her."
I was clutching my face, eyes burning red with pure hate.
"I HATE you! I'd kill you both if I could!"
Declan didn't say anything for a moment. I could see it—he'd decided something.
"I've gone too easy on you, Yara. Three years locked up and you learned nothing."
He pulled out his phone, finger hovering over the screen. His voice went hard.
"Consider this your final lesson. You fuck up? You pay for it."
