Moonbound Secrets

The Scars She Hid From The World

REGINA MCBRIDE

The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.

Modern Revenge Scheming

Download the Book on the App

LILIANA POINT OF VIEW

I dropped the book, noticing how dark it is becoming. I need to go home before it gets too dark, so I can make dinner, I am quite sure Mom will be out busy with work.

“Hi, Liliana.” I hear, and smile at Dorcas.

“Hey, Dorcas.”

My voice is low, and controlled, everything about me is controlled.

“I need to return this book, baby Cordelia spilled milk all over it. I know I shouldn’t ruin the Library books, but pretty please.” She smiles, and I am silent for a few seconds.

This is not a library, it is a bookshop. She borrowed the book three weeks ago, she didn’t even pay for it, but I don’t say any of that.

“Of course, there’s no problem.” I smile, taking the ruined book from her, the damage looks and smells more like Vodka, but it isn’t my place to say something.

“Have a nice night, my regards to sweet Cord – “

She cuts me off saying “Could I grab Taylor Jenkins Reid latest book, I will just skim through, not much reading.”

I stay silent for a few seconds then nod, taking the book and showing her the tag, despite knowing she wouldn’t pay.

“I will owe you a dollar.” She grins and walks away, leaving me with a smile on my face, one that feels more plastic by each second.

I spend the next twenty minutes packing all my books inside, with the flowers. It has always been my dream to own a bookshop, that is also a flower shop. I have been thinking of expanding, making it a cafe too, but that seems unattainable with every second that passes.

I am twenty-eight, and still live with my mother. I have enough money in saving, to get my own apartment, and revamp the bookshop, but I can’t touch it, because I have to stay with her, she needs me, even if she doesn’t show others.

The weather is getting a bit cloudy, and I know in less than thirty minutes it’s going to rain, so I better move it.

I stare round the bookshop, making sure everything is packed, so I head to the door, about to leave, when I hear a familiar voice.

“Lilliana.”

“Collin.” I smile at him, his blue eyes gazing at me softly.

“Hey,”

I look behind him and see he is not alone.

“Oh, hey Raye.” I smile, when it is the last thing I want to do, considering the huge crush I have on Collin and the rumor flying about him and Raye.

“Where are you heading to, it’s getting pretty late.” I say, bringing out my keys.

“Late? The night is just getting started, but I guess you have a curfew.” She grins and I smile.

“We need some flowers and candles, there’s a party few streets from here, you’re welcome to come.” Collin says, and I stare at him.

Collin is the Alpha’s first son, and he has been my crush, the ‘love of my life’ for a very long time, we grew up together, we were best friends, until we grew apart.

“Oh, we are closed, come early tomorrow.” I say, locking the doors.

Read Now