Chapter One
Hayley
Tears of pain squirted from my eyes. My left cheek burned from the stinging slap delivered by my older sister. I turned my face away, my hand covering my face, and wished I was dead.
“You’re so useless,” Roxanne spat. “And stupid. Mom should have aborted you while you were still a bunch of cancerous cells.”
The wordswhy do you hate me so much? came to my mouth but didn’t pass my lips. I knew why she despised me. She’s made my life hell since the day my parents brought me home from the hospital. Insanely jealous of my existence, encouraged in her behavior by our mother through her indifference, Roxanne abused me both physically and mentally.
“I want you to move out,” she grated, her fists clenched at her sides as though willing herself to not punch me. “I’ve tolerated your shit long enough.”
“I can’t,” I pleaded. “I’ve nowhere to go.”
“I don’t care,” she replied in an acid voice. “Live on the street. It’s what you deserve.”
Turning away before she hit me again, I sat on the plush sofa and stared into nothing. The tears of pain morphed into tears of grief and self-pity. Still, I didn’t cry openly. Weeping brought only scathing comments and derisive laughter from Roxanne. It was Friday, and I start a new job on Monday.
A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. If I kept under Roxanne’s radar for two weeks, I could potentially get an apartment with my first paycheck. Luxurious homes such as the one I currently shared with her were far above my future pay grade. Still, I might be able to afford a studio apartment or loft.
In this city, tiny studios were plentiful and cheap, provided one didn’t choose to live in the trendy and expensive downtown region. Like Roxanne did.
“Give me two weeks,” I said, swallowing my tears. “I’ll move out when I get paid.”
Roxanne huffed as she stepped around the sofa and into my view. “So you found a job then?”
I nodded, not looking up. “At a real estate company.”
“You’ll be fired within two days. And I’ll still be stuck with you.”
“No.”
A tiny and very rare hint of rebellion and defiance fluttered from the depths of my soul. “I’ll work hard. I’ll get my own place, and you’ll never see me again.”
Her arms crossed over her ample bosom, Roxanne tapped an elegant finger against her elbow. Four years my senior, she was my opposite in every way. Her hair was a rich dark brown and cut into the latest fashion trend. My hair hung long and loose, tumbling in silver-blonde waves. She’d inherited our mother’s sky-blue eyes while I’d gotten stuck with bottle-green irises.
Roxanne maintained her lush figure with the help of a personal trainer. I, on the other hand, jogged for exercise. I have small boobs while Roxanne’s deceased husband once paid for her to have implants implanted. Roxanne inherited her hubby’s estate and wealth, and begrudged me the bed I slept in and the food I ate.
“We’ll see about that.” Roxanne heaved a huge sigh as though preparing herself to pick up a heavy load. “When you move out, don’t come crawling back, Hayley.”
“I won’t.”
“How will you get to this job of yours?” Roxanne sniffed. “You don’t have a car.”
“I’ll take the bus.”
She sniffed again as though taking the bus was beneath her dignity. Which I suppose it was. She drove a flashy Mercedes and parked it across two parking spaces so no one might inadvertently bump it by opening a door. She guarded that vehicle’s perfection as though diamonds were embedded inside the paint job.
“Maybe you should make up with Brad,” she suggested. “Move back in with him.”
My mouth tightened. “You know he cheated on me.”
“So? At least he put up with you and your brainless stupidity.”
I didn’t answer. Like Roxanne, Brad despised me as a spineless idiot. Our relationship was as toxic as they come, and he not just cheated on me, but now was actively stalking me. He liked my body well enough, constantly wanted sex without bothering to offer me any pleasure. He liked using me.
And he terrified me.
“Two weeks,” Roxanne snapped. “Then that’s it. You’re gone.”
