The Billionaire Club

Prologue

The memories of that day would stay with me forever. Even twenty years later, it still felt like it happened yesterday. The vivid pictures in my head were like a movie reel that wouldn’t stop playing, but despite the tragic events that took place that day, I lived my life in peace.

I could hear the scrambling of people, fire trucks, and sirens. The men’s voices and their footsteps as they walked through the horrific scene in front of them echoed in the distance.

“My God. I can’t believe this,” one man spoke in a horrified voice.

I opened my eyes and slowly crawled out from the debris and rubble that engulfed me. As I stood up, a tall man stared at me from a distance, his face impaled with shock.

“There’s a survivor! A child!” he shouted as he walked over to me.

The pink dress with the white daisies my mom had bought me was torn and stained black. One of my white patent leather shoes was missing, and blood poured down my leg as I looked at the open wound. When the man reached me, he bent down and grasped my shoulders, staring at me with teary eyes.

“You’re going to be okay, sweetheart,” he spoke as he hugged me.

He picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

As he carried me from the site, I gently smiled as I stared at the shadowy figures that were making their way back home.

They were at peace and filled with light.

I wanted to follow them, but it wasn’t my time, and at the tender age of five, I fully understood what that meant.

I remember the sun hitting my face as he carried me out from the debris and laid me down on the stretcher waiting for me.

People hovered with shocked expressions as they took my vitals and scrambled around while tears fell from their eyes in disbelief that I was alive.

I was transported to the hospital, where I was treated by a tall, handsome young doctor who made me feel safe.

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” he asked as he examined me.

“Zoey.”

“Nice to meet you, Zoey.” He gave me a friendly and warm smile. “I’m Dr. John Benson. Do you know your last name?”

“Anderson.”

“You’re safe here, and we’ll take good care of you. I don’t want you to be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid,” I spoke softly as I reached for his hand. At that moment, on that day, my life was forever changed.