Wicked Nasty (Elites of Edgewood Prep #3)

1. Prologue

Chapter one

Prologue

Halleujah

A gony rips through my arm as my mother drags me down the hallway with a vice-like grip. I scream and sob, tears streaming down my shaking cheeks. She yanks me into my bedroom, the bubblegum pink walls and designer furniture offering no solace from her wrath.

I plead desperately, "I want daddy!"

My mother whirls around, her icy gaze piercing like daggers as she hisses, "You're acting like a spoiled little brat, Rebecca. Your father is a powerful man and right now, it's my turn to have him."

Trembling with fear and longing, I cling to her, begging, "I want to go with you!"

She shoves me away with a disgusted sigh. "Rebecca, this behavior is intolerable. Pull yourself together, we do not act like this." Turning on her heel, she claps her hands sharply. "Katya! Come here at once!"

Our in-house nanny scurries in, her head held high as she stands next to my mother. "Yes, Mrs. Carney?"

My mother gestures towards me with disdain. "Get this child off of me. This is a silk suit and I cannot have it wrinkled." She smooths down the fabric with manicured fingers. "The car is waiting and I need to leave. We won't be back for at least a month." The door clicks shut behind them, leaving me alone in my gaudy prison of wealth and neglect.

I reach out to hug her, but my mother quickly pulls away, her expression a mix of disgust and disdain. My arms hang limply by my sides as Katya takes me into her embrace instead, her warmth and kindness offering some comfort amidst the chaos. As my mother's heels click sharply down the hallway, I struggle to break free from Katya's hold.

"I want to go with them, Katya! Why can't I go?!" My voice cracks with desperation and tears stream down my face as I fight against her grip.

But Katya holds me tight, whispering soothing words in my ear as she carries me to my bed. She sits with me, her gentle touch rubbing circles on my back, trying to calm the storm raging inside of me.

"It's not fair!" I cry out, feeling utterly helpless and alone at this moment.

"Oh my sweet little love," Katya murmurs. "I know how hard this is for you. But we will find a way to make it through together. We always have."

My sobs continue uncontrollably as Katya picks me up again and carries me to the kitchen. She places me on the counter as she starts gathering pots and pans, opening cabinets and the fridge to get ingredients for cooking. As she works around the kitchen, humming a comforting tune, I watch in numb silence.

"Katya," I finally speak up, my voice trembling with emotion. "Why does this have to happen?"

She looks at me with sadness in her eyes before taking my face in her hands and wiping away my tears. "Listen, moya malen'kaya babochka . My little butterfly. There are no more tears, understood? You are strong and brave."

But I push my lips out in a pout and shake my head stubbornly. "I don't feel strong or brave."

A small smile tugs at Katya's lips. "It's okay to rest your wings, my dear. But don't forget, you are a fighter."

I let out a shaky breath and nod, trying to believe her words.

"Now," Katya says, her tone firm but gentle, "wipe that pout off your face and let's make some cookies."

"I don't wanna," I mumble, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Her frown deepens as she crosses her arms and stands in front of me. "Rebecca. You cannot sit and sulk for an entire month."

"Yes I can," I retort, feeling resentment building up inside of me.

Katya shakes her head sadly. "My little love. We will be fine. Your father will come home soon enough. Would you like to call him?"

A small glimmer of hope sparks within me at the mention of my father. "Yes, please!"

She smiles tenderly and takes out her phone, dialing my father's number with practiced ease. It rings three times before he finally picks up.

"Katya! How are you? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Mister Carney. Rebecca would just like to talk to you."

She hands me the phone, and I immediately burst into tears at the sound of his familiar voice.

"Daddy?" I choke out between sobs.

"Becca! My baby girl!" His voice is filled with longing and regret. "I wish you could be here with us on this trip, but it's all business."

I can hear the sadness in his tone and it only makes me cry harder.

"Next time, I promise you'll be right on this plane with me."

"Daddy, I miss you so much. I want you to come home," I manage to say through my tears.

"Oh my sweet angel," he whispers, his own voice thick with emotion. "I know. I'll try my best to finish up as soon as I can. I miss you more than anything."

But before he can say anything else, there's a commotion on the other end and I hear my mother barking orders.

"Why are we still on the pavement? We should be in the air already! Theodore! Get off the damn phone so we can go!"

My heart sinks at her callousness, but my father sighs in resignation before speaking again.

"Alright, Becs. I gotta get moving. But I promise I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you more than all the stars in the sky."

"And I love you bigger than the universe," I respond, feeling a lump forming in my throat.

Katya takes back the phone and speaks to him briefly before ending the call. She turns to me with tears in her own eyes and whispers, "We're going to be just fine, detka ."

After we finish baking, Katya orders pizza for me, something my mother would never allow, and we eat it on the living room floor while watching movies until late into the night. Exhaustion finally takes over and I fall asleep leaning against Katya's side, grateful for her unwavering support and love amidst all the chaos and turmoil.

Katya carries me into my bed, gently tucking me in as she kisses me goodnight. I reach up and pull her back down to me.

“I wish you were my mom, Katya.”

She lets out a deep breath as she lays next to me. “Oh, moya malen'kaya babochka . There are so many nights I wish that too. But we must be happy with what we have, correct?”

“Yes, Katya.”

She snuggles into me as we both giggle. “No attitude, Rebecca. I am grateful that I can be here in this capacity. I would much rather do this than do nothing at all.”

“I’m happy about that, too. Will you stay here tonight? I hate this house. It’s too big.”

“Of course, moya detka. Now lay your head down and sleep.”

A few years later,

The atmosphere in the house shifts as soon as her car pulls into the driveway. The air becomes heavy with tension and anger, making it hard to breathe. She's home again - causing chaos and misery wherever she goes. That woman is like a devil, constantly seeking out ways to make everyone around her miserable.

My own mother. The one who should love and protect me, but treats me like an enemy. To her, I am nothing but a younger version of herself that she feels the need to destroy. Every moment spent with her is filled with constant competition and criticism.

The only time she acknowledges my existence is when she needs to show off her perfect family to others. Just hearing her high-pitched voice makes my blood boil. But I've learned from Katya to bury my feelings deep down inside, showing no emotion towards anyone.

I've become cold and numb, a defense mechanism against the constant hurt and disappointment caused by my mother. But I'd rather be emotionless than continue to feel pain.

Speaking of my mother, I can hear her expensive heels clicking on the marble floors as she storms towards my bedroom. Without knocking, she barges in and throws a bag at me.

"Pack your things. We leave for our trip in an hour."

"No, thanks." I reply calmly.

Her face twists into a sneer. "Excuse me?"

"I said no thanks. I have school." I refuse to give in to her whims this time.

"That's not an acceptable excuse, Rebecca. We are all going on this trip together, so start packing."

I shove the bag off my bed in frustration. "A family vacation just for show is not a valid reason to miss school, mother."

Her screeching voice echoes through the house, summoning my father and Katya into my room.

"You will go on this trip, Rebecca!" my mother shrieks.

My father sighs, trying to diffuse the situation. "Darling, let her stay here with Katya. It's no big deal."

I turn to him in shock. "Katya isn't going on the trip?"

My mother glares at me. "Why would I bring the help with us? She stays here, locked away where she belongs!"

"How dare you!" Katya grabs my arm in anger, but I pull away and confront my mother. "She is not just 'the help', she's a wonderful woman who has been raising your child while you've been off gallivanting across the country!"

My mother pushes me back, her eyes filled with venom. "You better watch your tone, young lady! I will send you straight to an all-girls boarding school!"

"I would rather be anywhere than here with you!" I shout back.

My father steps between us, trying to calm everyone down. "Let's all just take a deep breath and think about this. Becca can stay here with Katya so she doesn't miss school. We can plan a family vacation for the summer."

My mother turns to him with a look of disgust. "I will not have that trash on my private jet! Rebecca will either join us or leave on her own."

"Are you seriously kicking out your fourteen-year-old daughter?"

"If that's what it takes." My mother responds coldly.

I shake my head in disbelief as I back away from them. "Then do it. I'd rather live on the streets than spend another second under your roof." My words hang heavy in the air as I storm out of the room, knowing there is nothing left for me here but pain and disappointment.

Katya forcefully grabs my hand, her nails digging into my skin. “Listen to me, detka . You must go with them. I will be fine here.”

Tears well up in my eyes, but I quickly push them away, not wanting to give my cruel mother the satisfaction of seeing me cry. “Katya... I can't leave you behind.”

My mother scoffs at my weakness. “Pathetic.”

“She's more of a mother to me than you'll ever be, you heartless witch.”

With a shriek, my mother lunges towards us, shoving me aside and pointing an accusing finger at Katya. “You! Get out of my house! You've poisoned my daughter's mind! Who knows what else you're teaching her, you bitch!”

Katya stands her ground, unfazed by my mother's rage. “I will leave by tonight.”

I run into Katya's embrace, finally letting myself cry as she strokes my hair. “No! Please don't go! I need you, Katya!”

She kisses my forehead gently. “Shhhh, moya malen'kaya babochka . My little butterfly. No more tears, okay? You are strong and brave.”

But my mother rips me away from Katya's comforting arms. “Stop coddling her! You have one hour!”

As Katya walks away calmly, my mother holds me back as I scream for her to come back. My father comes over and joins her in restraining me.

“Becca, calm down. It will be okay.”

But as they release their hold on me, I turn and swing a furious fist at my mother's face. “I hate you! I hate you with every fiber of my being!”

My father pulls me off of her as blood splatters across her expensive cream suit. “Becca! What has gotten into you?”

I look up at him, my face twisted with anger and betrayal. “I don't want to be a part of this family anymore.”

He sighs as my mother wipes away her fake tears. “You will go on this trip and act like a proper young lady. End of discussion.”

She storms out of the room, leaving my father and I sitting on the floor. “Becca...”

“No, dad. I want out of this family. I hate her, I hate her so much.”

He holds me tightly as my mother barks orders at the staff to prepare for our trip.

“It's not that simple, darling. There are things you don't understand yet.”

“Then send me away. I can't live with her.”

He sighs again. “I'll make you a deal. Come with us on this trip and I'll do everything in my power to keep your mother away from you. You'll have some peace and quiet at home.”

“I want Katya back.”

“I'll see what I can do.”

We both get up and start packing for another superficial vacation filled with fake smiles and pretentious events. As I get into the car, facing my mother, who sits in the back seat, I glare at her with cold, dead eyes, just as Katya had taught me.

“You're dead to me, mother. I will never forgive you. Never. ”