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The reapers take us down a hallway in the Heaven department. We get to a huge room decorated in white and gold, where I see my father in the center, tied to a chair.

“Dad!” I yell, as I pull against the reaper holding me back. He looks up at me, and he looks horrible. One eye is swollen shut and there’s blood everywhere. I would be even more concerned if I didn’t know that reapers heal fast.

“Joyce,” he says weakly, as if it hurts to talk. They tie Aiden and I to similar chairs and take a step back waiting for their next command. Aiden is still unconscious, which is making me more angsty by the second.

Director Young strolls in with her signature smile back on her face. “Glad you can have your family reunion, but let’s get back to business.” She stands by my father and looks at me. “I needed you here, Joyce, because your father is being difficult.”

My father looks at her with a hopeless expression, “Jia, why are you doing this?”

She leans over to get closer to my father’s face. She hisses, “Because I fucking deserve it.”

“Deserve what, Jia?” my father asks in confusion.

“Eden. I deserve to rule over Eden. Eden is mine.”

I sigh, annoyed with her antics. “You don’t own Eden, Jia.”

She straightens up and sneers at me, which, by the way, is not a good look on her. “That’s where you’re mistaken, Joyce. I am Eden. Eden is me. I am the God they need. I built this place up. I’ve been here since the beginning. All the original directors have retired, but I’m still here. You want to know why?”

I roll my eyes. “No, but I’m guessing you’re going to tell us anyway.”

Ignoring me, she continues, “I was created to be a God. Do you know I was royalty in my past life? I lived amongst the rulers of my land. I was not meant to be a mere director. I was meant to rule, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

“What made you this way?” I ask, curious as to how long she has been delusional.

“Not what, who,” she seethes. “All these good for nothing directors! They sit around content on keeping Eden average. We could be doing so much more. But no. All the directors have to agree in order for there to be any changes. Well, I’m sick of it. The karma system is fucking flawed. There’s too many pathetic, evil humans going to Heaven and not enough to Hell. Then, they thought I was going to let you into Heaven? Not a chance.” The list of people that have beef with me is getting longer. Mr. Reynolds, Joey, Mac and now this psycho—correction—this bitch.

What’s the saying? If you ain't got haters, you ain't poppin.

I let out a deep sigh, eager to get on with the villain monologue. “Okay, all-mighty Queen. How exactly did you plan to pull this off?” Because no way could she get enough reapers on her side for a hostile takeover.

“Well, everything would’ve gone according to plan, if your dear old dad didn’t go snooping around my apartment and find out what I’ve been up to.” She looks at my dad and winks. “You were a good lay, but I didn’t think you would go through my stuff. That was on me.” She walks towards the desk in the room and sits on it, crossing one leg over the other.

I am stuck on the fact that she and my father slept together. I raise a brow at him in question of his choices and he just shakes his head in defeat.

Men.

She continues, “Hostile takeovers are what weak-minded men do. They think they deserve power due to the mere fact they are a man. But me? I deserve it because I know what’s best for Eden. I know what—”

I cut her off, needing her to get to the point. I have never been a great listener. “Okay, we get it. You deserve it. But can you please just share what your plan is and where we go from here. These restraints are not comfortable.”

She tilts her head at me. “I’ll let that disrespect slide. But if you keep on with it, I’ll ensure you learn a lesson.”

I roll my eyes at her. Director Young raises an eyebrow, but finally gets on with it. “As I was saying before, hostile takeovers are for weak-minded men. My plan was simple—make it appear as though Eden is slowly falling apart. I create the problem, and I will be the solution. The problem? Eden needs one central leader. Obviously having many directors is not working. Solution? Me. But your father figured me out, and planned to expose me. So, I had to threaten him with something—or should I say someone—that would keep his mouth shut and that’s where you come in.”

I tilt my head and look at her with pity. “So what? You’re going to threaten to hurt me? News flash…I can’t die again. Congrats, that’s the best villainous plan I’ve ever heard.”

She chuckles. “No. Of course not. I’m going to give him a choice. Eden is all about free will.”

She places her hand on my head, then roughly grabs my hair. First of all, does she understand how long I waited to get my hair done? She really is a villainous bitch. Second, when I finally work my way out of these binds, I am going to beat her to Hell and back. I am glad some of my evil foster brothers used to tie me up and throw me into a closet. I had to figure out fast how to undo those binds or else I would be stuck in the closet for hours. Maybe for days, depending on whether my foster parent was drinking or not.

Director Young continues to talk. This time, directly to my father. “I have something you hold precious. Your daughter. You have a choice. You either join my side, or I’ll make sure you never see your daughter again.”

I hear Aiden snicker and we all turn to look at him. Relief floods my body. Thank God. He is finally awake. Even though she said he would be fine, she could have been lying.

His voice hardens with determination. “Do you think there is a place in Eden or on Earth where you could hide her, and I wouldn’t find her? I’ll tear apart this entire fucking universe if I have to.”

I stare at him, realizing that what he just said was completely true. He wouldn’t stop. It’s the wrong time to be turned on, Joyce.